Same-store sales rose 2.1% year over year during the period, which ended June 27. At franchise-operated stores, which account for just under 60% of its total count, same-store sales rose 2.3%, while comps at company-owned stores were up 1.7%.

Margin pressure brought net income to $13 million, down from $14 million during the same year-ago period. One example that management pointed to was a boom in salmon salad sales, which helped same-store sales but deteriorated margins due to the higher costs of that product. "We are currently taking a very serious, hard look at pricing," Shaich says. He also points out that fast-casual chains like Panera are having a tough time competing with the quick-service, fast-food segment.

The company is still on track to open 180 to 190 new stores during the fiscal year, about half of them company owned and the remainder franchised. During the second quarter Panera opened 39 units, 22 frranchisee-operated and the rest company owned. The company also acquired 32 cafes from franchisees and closed five.