Know What Matters
Lessons from a Lifetime of Transformations
By Ron Shaich, founder, Panera Bread
Harvard Business Review Press (coming Oct. 2023)
The founder and former CEO of Panera Bread shares the lessons he learned from a lifetime of asking what really matters and then making the transformations necessary to bring what really matters to life.
Shaich is a business visionary who has been part of building three iconic restaurant brands: Au Bon Pain, Panera Bread, and now Cava. Along the way, he developed “fast casual,” a $100 billion–plus segment of the industry. Now he reveals what he learned about entrepreneurship, running large enterprises, business transformation, and life itself.
Ellen extracted the stories and lessons of my life’s work, skillfully distilled their essence, sensitively captured my voice, and patiently carried me over the finish line. Quite simply, this book would not exist without her.
“Ron Shaich is a true pioneer of conscious capitalism . . .
. . . a purpose-driven leader with a relentless focus on the long term and a deep love for the transformative power of business. I’ve long valued his wisdom in the boardroom and beyond, and I have no doubt that Know What Matters will be instrumental in shaping the next generation of conscious leaders.”
—John Mackey, Co-Founder, Whole Foods Market and author of Conscious Capitalism
“Packed with practical advice and real world examples to help readers create businesses of value and lives of meaning.”
—Danny Meyer, author of Setting the Table
