Andrew Rebhun Named Panera Bread's New CMO

Panera Bread Names Andrew Rebhun as CMO

Boston, MA, August 6, 2026 - Panera Bread has announced that Andrew Rebhun is joining the company as its new Chief Marketing Officer. The appointment marks a significant leadership change for the fast casual brand as it continues to navigate a competitive restaurant landscape and works toward strengthening its position with guests nationwide.

A New Leader for Panera's Marketing

In this position, Rebhun will oversee every part of Panera's marketing function, covering Brand and Creative, Digital and Loyalty, Menu Innovation, and Media. Bringing all of these areas under one leader reflects how closely connected marketing, technology, and product development have become for restaurant brands trying to stand out in a crowded market. He will work out of Panera's support center in Newton, Massachusetts and will report directly to CEO Paul Carbone. Rebhun officially becomes part of the executive leadership team on August 17, stepping into one of the company's most visible roles at a time when Panera is actively working to reshape its brand identity and menu offerings.

Carbone Welcomes Rebhun to the Team

Paul Carbone expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, noting that Rebhun's deep background in the restaurant industry, along with his focus on brand building, customer engagement, loyalty programs, and growth strategy, will play a key role as Panera continues evolving its business. Carbone added that Rebhun has a proven history of driving results and said he is looking forward to the fresh perspective and energy he will bring to the organization. Leadership transitions of this kind often signal a company's intent to sharpen its strategic direction, and Carbone's comments suggest that Panera views this hire as a step toward accelerating that process.

Building a Stronger Guest Connection

Carbone said he is looking forward to the vision Rebhun brings as Panera works to deepen its relevance with guests and drive stronger demand across the business. He described Rebhun as someone with a strong track record of delivering measurable impact throughout his career. For a brand like Panera, guest relevance often comes down to how well a company can connect its digital experience, loyalty rewards, and menu offerings into something that feels seamless and personal. Rebhun's background suggests he will bring a data driven approach to that challenge, one that blends brand storytelling with practical tools like loyalty apps and digital ordering platforms.

Rebhun's Time at CAVA

Most recently, Rebhun served as Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at CAVA, where he managed Brand, Marketing, Digital, Loyalty, Communications, Catering, and Guest Experience. His time there coincided with a period of fast growth and expansion for the brand across the country. During his tenure, CAVA grew its footprint significantly while also working to build stronger digital engagement with its customer base, giving Rebhun firsthand experience managing marketing during a high growth phase, something that could prove useful as Panera looks to refresh its own brand and drive renewed interest among guests.

Earlier Roles at El Pollo Loco and McDonald's

Before joining CAVA, Rebhun served as CMO at El Pollo Loco, where he led the brand's marketing and digital overhaul and helped fuel growth in loyalty membership and online sales. That experience gave him direct exposure to rebuilding a brand's digital backbone, something that has become central to how restaurant chains compete for customer attention today. Earlier in his career, he held multiple marketing leadership positions at McDonald's, where he contributed to scaling up major digital and delivery initiatives. His time at McDonald's exposed him to marketing at a global scale, offering insight into how large restaurant systems approach brand consistency, media strategy, and customer loyalty across thousands of locations.

Mark Shambura Steps Down as CMO

Rebhun takes over the CMO role from Mark Shambura, who is leaving Panera this month. During his time with the company, Shambura played an important part in shaping Panera's brand direction and driving menu innovation forward. His departure comes at a pivotal moment for the brand, as Panera continues to execute on strategic initiatives aimed at repositioning itself within the fast casual segment.

Recognizing Shambura's Contributions

Carbone credited Shambura with helping launch the Panera RISE strategy and setting his team up to carry out the plan focused on refreshing the menu and increasing value for customers. Carbone thanked him for his leadership and the impact he made across the organization, including his work strengthening the brand, advancing the company's strategy, and supporting its people. The RISE initiative, centered on refreshing the menu and reinforcing value, has been positioned as a core part of Panera's broader turnaround efforts, and Shambura's work laying that groundwork is expected to carry forward under new leadership.

Looking Ahead for Panera

With Rebhun now stepping into the CMO role, Panera appears focused on continuing its brand transformation while building on the foundation laid under Shambura's leadership. His experience across major restaurant brands, spanning fast growth expansion, digital transformation, and large scale marketing operations, positions him to guide the next phase of the company's growth and customer engagement efforts. As Panera works to sharpen its identity and reconnect with guests in an increasingly competitive market, Rebhun's arrival could mark the beginning of a new chapter for how the brand approaches marketing, loyalty, and menu innovation moving forward.