Flynn Panera
EST IN 2015
Flynn Panera By the Numbers
SNAPSHOT OF WHERE WE ARE NOW
Flynn Group entered the Panera system in 2015 with the acquisition of 47 cafes. Since then, we have more than tripled in size to become the 2nd largest Panera franchisee in the world and will continue growing by building new units and acquiring additional franchise and company cafes.
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Flynn Panera Leadership
PREMIER AS IT SHOULD BE
We strive to hire only the best, starting with our leadership. Our leaders within Flynn Panera have over 190+ years of experience in the restaurant industry, and 60+ years with Flynn Group.
Kelly serves as President for Flynn Panera. He started his restaurant career in 1986 with Steak \u2018n Shake and immediately fell in love with the restaurant business. In July of 1991 he joined St Louis Bread Company (Panera Bread) managing 1 of 6 \u201cBread Co\u2019s\u201d. In 1996, Kelly was promoted to Operations Services Manager and then Area Director with operations in St. Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA. In 2002, Kelly joined the Franchise Operations team as a business consultant before being promoted to Director of Franchise Operations supporting 1,100 cafes in the U.S, and leading 19 cafes in Toronto, Canada. Kelly joined Flynn Group in June of 2018 as Sr. VP of Operations and now serves as the Brand President for Flynn Panera operating ~150 bakery-cafes in Washington, Northern California, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, and Virginia. <\/p>\n","linkedin":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kelly-cook-aa83399\/","twitter":""})' href="#">Kelly Cook
President, Flynn Panera
Ken serves as Market President for Flynn Panera in our Washington Market.\u202f Ken joined Panera in 2001 as an Assistant Manager and served Panera LLC in a multitude of roles finishing his time as Senior Manager, Franchise Operations, supporting over 300 bakery-cafes across the United States.\u202f Ken\u2019s relationship with Flynn Group began in 2015 as an Operations Consultant after their first acquisition of 47 bakery-cafes.\u202f Ken officially joined Flynn Group at the end of 2006 as Director of Operations and is now the Market President of our Washington Market overseeing 24 cafes. <\/p>\n","linkedin":"","twitter":""})' href="#">Ken Adams
Market President, Washington
She received her BBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at Wichita State University. Prior to Flynn Group she worked in local restaurant concepts and eventually took on a role with a restaurant consulting group. During that time, she developed inventory systems and menus, along with daily standard operating procedures to drive profitability and safety. <\/p>\n
The Kansas market Is the original franchise group for Panera Bread. We are incredibly focused on developing future talent, creating a culture you can\u2019t quit, and are proud to be the leaders in Brand Contribution. <\/p>\n","linkedin":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/amanda-flower-aaba523b\/","twitter":""})' href="#">
Amanda Flower is the Director of Operations for the Flynn Panera Kansas Market. Amanda Joined Panera in 2011 as an Assistant Manager and was promoted to Regional Sales Manager in 2012, Learning and Development Leader in 2013, and then to the Area Director role in 2014. She joined Flynn Group in 2017, and became the Director of Operations in 2023. <\/p>\nShe received her BBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at Wichita State University. Prior to Flynn Group she worked in local restaurant concepts and eventually took on a role with a restaurant consulting group. During that time, she developed inventory systems and menus, along with daily standard operating procedures to drive profitability and safety. <\/p>\n
The Kansas market Is the original franchise group for Panera Bread. We are incredibly focused on developing future talent, creating a culture you can\u2019t quit, and are proud to be the leaders in Brand Contribution. <\/p>\n","linkedin":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/amanda-flower-aaba523b\/","twitter":""})' href="#">Amanda Flower
Director of Operations, Kansas
Ron is passionate about building high-performing teams and believes that leadership starts with caring for people \u2014 a perfect fit for Flynn\u2019s Core Value: Care Genuinely for People. He joined Flynn Group in 2024 and is excited to continue leading with purpose and heart.<\/p>\n","linkedin":"","twitter":""})' href="#">
Ron Kyhl serves as the Director of Operations for Flynn Panera in our Northern California Market. He brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, having held senior roles with brands like Panera Bread, Specialty\u2019s Caf\u00e9 & Bakery, and Red Robin. At Panera (Pangenera, LLC), he led operations across the San Francisco Bay Area, earning prestigious company awards for guest satisfaction, food safety, and people development.<\/p>\nRon is passionate about building high-performing teams and believes that leadership starts with caring for people \u2014 a perfect fit for Flynn\u2019s Core Value: Care Genuinely for People. He joined Flynn Group in 2024 and is excited to continue leading with purpose and heart.<\/p>\n","linkedin":"","twitter":""})' href="#">Ron Kyhl
Director of Operations, Northern California
Prior to joining Flynn Group, Cindy has worked in the hospitality industry for her whole career starting in operations. Her first job was a host\/drink person at a 50\u2019s diner called Dinah\u2019s Family Restaurant when she was 15 years old, then worked as a server\/take-out at California Pizza Kitchen until she moved into their Human Resources department in 2009 after earning her Bachelor\u2019s Degree in English Literature from CSU Long Beach. <\/p>\n
In June of 2021, Cindy was hired as an HR Business Partner in the MidCal market overseeing 28 Applebee\u2019s locations, and was promoted to HR Director in February of 2024. <\/p>\n","linkedin":"","twitter":""})' href="#">
Cindy Lubs is the Director of Human Resources for Flynn Panera. She was previously the Human Resources Director for the Western and Mountain areas of the U.S. and oversees 7 markets for the Flynn Applebee\u2019s brand. <\/p>\nPrior to joining Flynn Group, Cindy has worked in the hospitality industry for her whole career starting in operations. Her first job was a host\/drink person at a 50\u2019s diner called Dinah\u2019s Family Restaurant when she was 15 years old, then worked as a server\/take-out at California Pizza Kitchen until she moved into their Human Resources department in 2009 after earning her Bachelor\u2019s Degree in English Literature from CSU Long Beach. <\/p>\n
In June of 2021, Cindy was hired as an HR Business Partner in the MidCal market overseeing 28 Applebee\u2019s locations, and was promoted to HR Director in February of 2024. <\/p>\n","linkedin":"","twitter":""})' href="#">Cindy Lubs
Director of Human Resources
Beyond running restaurants, Christina has served on the Flynn Group Family Fund committee since 2017 and is a proud recipient of the Mother Bread award. Christina graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Waynesburg College.<\/p>\n","linkedin":"","twitter":""})' href="#">
Christina Ross is the Director of Operations for Flynn Group Panera West Virginia. In 2002, Christina joined Panera Bread as an Assistant Manager and quickly ascended the ranks, earning the role of General Manager in 2003. She achieved another milestone in 2010, being promoted to the position of Area Director, and was given the opportunity to run the West Virginia market as the Director of Operations in 2023.<\/p>\nBeyond running restaurants, Christina has served on the Flynn Group Family Fund committee since 2017 and is a proud recipient of the Mother Bread award. Christina graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Waynesburg College.<\/p>\n","linkedin":"","twitter":""})' href="#">Christina Ross
Director of Operations, West Virginia