NPC Virtual Newsmaker: Panera CEO Niren Chaudhary

Panera CEO Niren Chaudhary will address the future of restaurants post-COVID-19 at a virtual National Press Club Headliners Newsmaker event on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m.  

Chaudhary took the helm at Panera in May 2019, just eight months before Covid-19 emerged. The ensuing "stay-at-home" directives forced restaurants, bars and other gathering places to rethink their business models. As the pandemic progressed, restaurants had to adapt -- sometimes weekly -- to changing restrictions.  

Chaudhary will discuss how the restaurant industry is working to survive in a time of reduced or no capacity, changing restrictions, and continuing uneasiness abound dining out. 

Chaudhary assumed his position at Panera after serving as chief operating officer and president of the International Division of Krispy Kreme doughnut and coffee chain.  Prior to that, he spent 23 years at Yum! Brands in a number of positions, including as president of Yum! India, and most recently in the role of president of KFC Global, where he was responsible for 5,000 stores in 50 countries with $5 billion in revenue.

He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from St. Stephen's College in Delhi, an MBA in marketing from the University of Delhi, and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.