Ron Shaich, founder of Au Bon Pain and Panera Bread, shares his journey in creating 'fast casual' dining. He discusses the challenges he faced, the strategic decisions that led to Panera's success, and the evolution of his business empire. The podcast also features Tyson Walters, who created the Shed Defender for dogs.
Ron Shaich transformed Au Bon Pain into Panera Bread, pioneering 'fast casual' dining experience.
Tyson Walters created Shed Defender, a versatile bodysuit for dogs to manage shedding hair effectively.
Deep dives
The Creation of Shed Defender: A Solution to Dog Hair Problem
Tyson Walters, inspired by his loveable yet shedding Saint Bernard, Harley, created Shed Defender, a form-fitting bodysuit for dogs to contain shedding hair, allowing pet owners to take their furry friends anywhere without worrying about mess. The product went through various design iterations, evolving into a lightweight, breathable suit that comes in nine sizes from Chihuahua to Great Dane. The Shed Defender manages dog hair effectively, enabling easy removal of hair by shaking it off outside.
Tyson Walters' Journey from Concept to Manufacture
In collaboration with his mom, Tyson initially experimented with a blanket-like design to tackle dog hair shedding. Seeking professional assistance from a seamstress, they refined the design with stretchy, athletic fabric similar to Under Armour and Nike shirts. This iterative process led to the development of a form-fitting suit, akin to body spanks for dogs, ensuring comfort and mobility for the pets while containing shedding hair effectively for easy clean-up.
The Business Success of Shed Defender
Upon launching Shed Defender and receiving a boost in publicity from a feature on dodo.com, Tyson's business took off, selling over 20,000 suits and grossing more than a million dollars since 2016. The product's versatility extends beyond indoor use, with customers utilizing it outdoors to maintain cleanliness and protect from ticks. With features like a zipper for restroom breaks, the Shed Defender offers convenience for both pets and owners.
Shed Defender: Enhancing Comfort and Convenience for Pets and Owners
Shed Defender caters to pet owners' needs for managing shedding hair and maintaining cleanliness by providing a practical solution in the form of a comfortable and functional bodysuit for dogs of various sizes. The suit's design, incorporating stretchy, breathable fabric akin to athletic wear, ensures freedom of movement for pets while effectively containing loose hair. Its success in offering convenience and cleanliness has led to its adoption by customers seeking practical pet care solutions.
In the early 1980s, Ron Shaich bought a small, struggling Boston bakery chain called Au Bon Pain, and built it out to 250 locations nationwide. Ron then saw an opportunity to build something even bigger: Panera Bread. It was the start of "fast casual" – a new kind of eating experience, between fast food and restaurant dining. Today, Panera Bread has over 2,000 stores, and $5 billion in annual sales. Plus, for our postscript "How You Built That," how Tyson Walters got so tired of his St. Bernard shedding everywhere that he created the Shed Defender, a zip-up body suit for dogs that captures loose hair.
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