Zach Soolman

Zach Soolman is the Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) at Panera Bread, a position he has held since 2019. In this role, he has been instrumental in positioning Panera as a leader among restaurant brands in the CPG sector, focusing on expanding the availability of Panera products in grocery stores and enhancing their packaging and marketing strategies.

Under Soolman's leadership, Panera has introduced a variety of grocery products, including refrigerated soups, dressings, and baked goods, while emphasizing the use of clean ingredients in their offerings. He has articulated a mission to make Panera's craveable products easily accessible to consumers, reflecting a strategic approach to broaden the brand's reach beyond traditional bakery-cafe locations.125

Before his current role, Soolman held several positions at Panera, including Director of CPG Category Lead and Director of Consumer Marketing. His experience spans various aspects of marketing and product development within the food industry.34