EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS EXPANDS C-SUITE, CEMENTING CATEGORY LEADERSHIP

Three industry leaders join to drive growth and culture as the brand accelerates expansion

DENVER, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Einstein Bros. Bagels, America's largest retail bagel chain, has strengthened its executive leadership team with three strategic appointments: Chief Development Officer Patrick Waldron, Chief People Officer Shawna Fehrman-Lee and Chief Financial Officer Will Evans.

The appointments bring proven leadership experience from high-growth global brands that will help Einstein Bros. Bagels advance its development, people and financial strategies as the brand plans to open 300 bakeries over the next three years.

"Patrick, Shawna and Will are accomplished leaders who understand how to scale complex organizations while keeping people, operational discipline and long-term value at the center of the work," said Jessica DePetro, CEO of Einstein Bros. Bagels. "Their complementary expertise strengthens an already exceptional leadership team and gives us the depth to grow thoughtfully, invest in our teams and bring Einstein Bros. to more communities nationwide."

Waldron brings more than 15 years of experience with organizations including Amazon, Whole Foods Market and JLL. Most recently, he served as director of business operations, worldwide retail growth and development for Amazon's Worldwide Grocery business, where he helped build the Amazon Fresh real estate organization from the ground up, supported the opening of more than 60 Amazon Fresh stores and led the rollout of new Whole Foods Market formats.

As CDO at Einstein Bros., Waldron will lead development and partner closely with leaders across the business to drive disciplined expansion, modernize development processes and identify innovative opportunities that deliver long-term value as the brand pushes toward the 1,000-bakery mark.

Fehrman-Lee joins Einstein Bros. Bagels following nearly a decade at HelloFresh, where she served as global vice president of people, leading talent and transformation across 16 international markets and supporting a workforce of more than 20,000 employees.

At Einstein Bros., Fehrman-Lee will lead the work to develop and execute a people strategy that supports the company's next phase of growth. Her appointment reflects the brand's commitment to strengthening its culture and helping team members thrive as the organization expands.

Evans brings extensive financial leadership experience across the restaurant, consumer and investment sectors. He began his career in public accounting at EY before joining Zoës Kitchen, where he supported the company through its initial public offering. He subsequently spent three years with a private equity firm, investing in and supporting multiple restaurant concepts, before serving as CFO at La Colombe and most recently as CFO of Alvarado Restaurant Nation.

As CFO at Einstein Bros., Evans will oversee the company's financial strategy and operations, helping build the disciplined, insight-driven foundation needed to support sustainable growth and long-term performance.

The appointments come as Einstein Bros. continues to strengthen its position as the country's leading bagel company in a U.S. bagel market valued at approximately $5.8 billion.

About Einstein Bros.® Bagels
Einstein Bros.® Bagels has been seeing bagels differently since 1995, growing from a single concept into America's largest retail bagel chain and one of its fastest growing. Known for endless combinations of fresh-baked bagels and premium double-whipped cream cheese shmear, Einstein Bros. has been the go-to breakfast destination for millions of Americans over the past 30 years. With a full menu of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, handcrafted coffee, espresso, sweets and catering, Einstein Bros. Bagels operates more than 700 locations throughout the United States with plans to run more than 1,000 by 2030. Einstein Bros. Bagels is part of Panera Brands, one of the nation's largest fast-casual restaurant companies, comprising Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros. Bagels. To learn more, visit www.einsteinbros.com.

Media Contact:
Sophia Feleke
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SOURCE Einstein Bros. Bagels