We're celebrating our ONE year anniversary with Hamra!
June 28, 2024 – Today we are celebrating the first anniversary of Hamra’s acquisition of 24 Panera Bread locations. Some of the employees at these locations were kind enough to share their thoughts about the first year with Hamra, and their responses were so heartwarming and thoughtful that we had to share them with you.
Natalie Curtis
General Manager, Metairie – #2617
I started as an associate in Tennessee, 15 years ago.
I cannot believe it’s been an entire year since becoming a part of Team Hamra, at times it seems like we’ve always been a part of the team! Thinking back to a year ago, I regret being nervous and apprehensive, but change is a scary thing. Hamra really took charge and I think a defining moment for most managers was the initial meeting of Mike Hamra and his team, that was a wonderful meeting and the first time most of us got to see the true warmth of Hamra.
Not long after the acquisition I had the opportunity to meet Josh Mitchell ; he had made the drive down to Metairie to do an interview and I got to pick his brain. He spent a great deal of time showing me things inside of OneSource and answering the numerous questions I had. I knew then that Hamra was a different place, that they truly care about the people that work for them and with them. Every person I have encountered has been warm and willing to answer all my questions and boy do I ask a lot of questions!
I love having the charter to live into; it is a compass for our day-to-day life, something for us to strive to achieve. Depending on the day you ask me, I always have a new favorite part but right now I am really living in the “We are committed to development and growth through training, coaching and learning from one another.” This part just hits home right now with the amount of training and growth we have coming in and out of our cafe. It’s been a pleasure getting to know these managers and be a part of their journey! Our core values align with my personal values, but I love how “Family: We cherish and nurture relationships” really leans into the hero fund. Hamra does cherish the relationships with their people, they care about the whole person and not just the hours they are at work. We are committed to the success of every member of the team!
What a fun and exciting year! At this time last year, I never would have dreamed that I would love Hamra as much as I do. The support I have received from the OPS team is out of this world! My cafe recently was certified as a training cafe and the week of my certification was a tad stressful but between Tom, Bob, Daniel, Hailey, and Melanie we were able to stay completely grounded. What used to seem impossible I now know is completely possible with Hamra! The sky is the limit for all of us and I just couldn’t imagine working for anyone else.
Melanie Daigle
Regional Training Manager
One year ago, on a warm day in late June. I walked into Panera Bread. The same Panera Bread I had walked into several times a week for the last 5 years. I sat at MY table, I said hello to the same people, and I drank the same warm cup of coffee that I did most days. Still, somehow, things were different. This particular day in June was special, it was the day I joined the Hamra Enterprises family.
In the days and weeks prior, I learned all about Hamra Enterprises. During that time of change, as I was faced with so many unknowns, I remember what stuck out to me the most. And that was- Hamra Enterprises stands for it’s people. I learned that those people can live a life they love. A life where getting in and staying in connection is paramount, where support is within arm’s reach, and where opportunities for growth are abundant. As I learned about all that Hamra Enterprises stands for and offers, I wondered, “where’s the catch?”….”what’s the subscription fee?”. It almost seemed too good to be true. Would I really have this experience?
At the time of the acquisition, I had worked at Panera Bread for 9 years. And I really loved those 9 years, my determination and perseverance lead me to the field I love…training. I so deeply wanted to continue in my role within the training department because it brought me so much satisfaction. So naturally, on this warm day in June, I was nervous. Although I was told what to expect by the leaders of Hamra Enterprises, I really felt like I didn’t know what to expect. I remember feeling fear, anxiety, excitement, and every emotion in between. On that first day, as I sat at my table, waiting for Daniel Thomas to arrive to spend the day with me, I wondered… “What’s next?”
That first day with Hamra seems like it was so long ago, but somehow it was only 12 short months ago. That first day with Hamra, it felt like a celebration, it felt right… it felt fun! And within the first 30 days, the emotions of fear and anxiety quickly shifted to comfort and belonging.
As I reflect on the last 12 months, I think about that FUN and how its stuck around. With that, I feel immense gratitude that I’ve had to opportunity to continue to do what I love.
In my reflections, I also think about INTEGRITY, and how it is so much more than I ever knew. I think about how Hamra Enterprises has enriched my life with education that continues to help me be a better version of myself both professionally and personally. I would have never thought my employer would offer me this kind of support.
I think about FAMILY, and all the relationships I’ve built at Hamra. I think about how grateful I am to work with Daniel Thomas, someone that has always seen our relationship as a collaboration. I think about Bob Marcum and how grateful I am for the leadership he provides that motivates me to continue working toward excellence. I think about every single person I’ve gotten to know at Hamra Enterprises and the impact they’ve made on me.
I think about SELF EXPRESSION and how I’ve been welcomed to express my ideas and add value to the organization.
I also think about DISCOVERY, and when I think about this one, I get really excited. There is a future available for me with Hamra Enterprises and I am in the driver’s seat.
1 year later and I’m happy to report, there is no catch. There is no subscription fee. Hamra Enterprises is everything they say they are. Hamra Enterprises is my home.
Sherry Powers
General Manager, Oak Ridge TN – #2615
Hello!
My name is Sherry Powers and I am a General Manager for Southern Bread/ Hamra Enterprises. I have been with Panera for almost 3 years and with Hamra for a year. I just wanted to share a bit about my journey with Panera.
I came to Panera looking for quality of life. My husband and I were both Certified Training GM’s for another concept. That is where we met. We got married in July of 2021 and decided that one of us needed to find our passion working somewhere else. I found Panera. The hours seemed great and I felt the change would make a difference in our home life. I came aboard in Oct of 2021 as an assistant manager. I trained in Oak ridge and not only fell in love with Panera but my team as well. I was promoted to GM in Dec of 2021. We became a Training Cafe in Feb of 2023. I felt that I was finally beginning to find my “groove” with CSC (former owner) and then was told that we were being sold to another company. I panicked.
I have been through 2 transitions before and sadly , they were NOT good. The last transition I had been through, the new company came in and brought their own team. I was let go and ended up homeless with 3 teenagers depending on me. So, you can imagine my fear being “new” to my role and not knowing how the new company would be.
The one thing I did know was that I could not let my fear control me. I knew that if I was afraid, it would trickle to my team. I decided to be a leader and embrace this new change with positivity. I am SO glad I did!!
I knew in our first teams call that Hamra was for me. When Sonja from HR said that they were huggers, I was all in! They repeated over and over again that they were about their people in that call. All I could think of was that I wanted to be a part of that company. When Mike Hamra stood in front of us at our first in person meeting and he became emotional over the HERO fund, I knew he was real and had heart. I knew that I wanted to retire working for someone like him.
My first visit with John Addelia is what locked it in for me. He came to my cafe and spoke to my team. The whole team and it wasn’t just a hello. He asked them about them. How long had they been with Panera and did they like it. He spent quality time with them and was genuinely friendly to them. After that, he sat down with me for about an hour and he asked me about my journey, did I feel supported and what did I need from him. WHO does that?!
No other company has ever done that. The big bosses would come in, talk to the GM and then leave. They never spoke to my team and I always felt that that was wrong. Right off the bat, Hamra started showing that they meant what they said. John made a huge difference for me and still does to this day. I appreciate that,
Hamra offers so many things to our team. The Charter is amazing and learning to live by it daily adds to the person I am in both work life and home life. Mike Hamra making the commitment for growth in his employees to be successful whether it be at work or personal, is unheard of. He means it and I know this from my trainings.
My team learned only a month and a half into our transition that we really are people and not just a $ sign to the company when we had a death in our family. One of my team members (Zander, a 16 year old) fell asleep driving to work and died. We were in shock and so brokenhearted. I reached out to John Addelia and he told us to close our cafe for the day so that I could wrap my arms around my team. We were also allowed to be closed on the day of the funeral so that we could all attend. The company provided a grief counselor to us and to Zander’s family ( his Mother is also part of our team) The HERO fund paid for Zander’s headstone. This company IS about their people, their growth and their success. I will never forget that and neither will my team.
The celebrations and wanting things to be fun per our Charter, are wonderful! The company allows us to show our team how important they are and how special they are. That is why they stay. That is why I stay. The transition has been a great one and I am grateful to have been a part of it.
I have learned that Hamra is a company that celebrates, Inspires and truly care about the people working for them. I am sorry if I sent a novel and I hope this is what you were looking for.
Thank you so much for asking if I had anything to share.
Tom Leader
District Manager
I was at home caring for my wife, recovering from surgery, when I received a call about the acquisition. The news was a mix of apprehension, nervousness, and excitement. I couldn’t help but wonder, who are these guys?
I was excited to embrace the challenge because I’m always open to new experiences.
I had the opportunity to spend time with John Addelia, VP of Operations at Hamra’s Panera Bread, during the transition. He was not just a colleague, but also a mentor. His positive energy and confidence in the future were very evident. Talking to him felt like talking to a friend, and his extensive knowledge was truly valuable. His vision for the future was both inspiring and practical.
At Hamra, everyone is supportive, like a family. They want me to succeed personally and professionally. For example, The Hamra Leadership classes taught me context or perspective and how to see things differently. I resonated most with Integrity. With the previous company, everything was either right or wrong. At Hamra, we learn to restore our word and to honor it. My team and I are more efficient and have better communication now. It has also made a difference in my personal life.
One of Hamra’s core values is integrity, and the line in the charter that resonated with me the most is: “We can be counted on to be generous in our listening, and authentic in our speaking.” I have learned to be accountable for my listening.
If you’re thinking about working at Hamra, I can tell you from my own experience that it’s more than just a job – it’s about career growth and adventure. They help you uncover your full potential and are committed to supporting employees in all job titles and positions, offering a clear path for development regardless of where you start.
There is more especially The HERO Fund and the excellent benefits at Hamra. I have a couple of associate degrees and a wealth of knowledge with other hospitality companies, but I wish I had met Hamra earlier in my career because they are about one’s development, and they are committed to one’s success both professionally and personally.
I was with CSC Investments (former company) for 18.5 years when the acquisition occurred, and I can say that the structured programs, coaching and training (written and hands-on), and generous compensation at Hamra make me a lifer. As with Hamra, a renew of my Panera career, I was able to meet and marry my best friend, Kimberly, and we will be celebrating five years this July 6th.