Ronald M. Shaich

In 1981, Shaich co-founded the Au Bon Pain Co., purchased the St Louis Bread Co. in 1993, and changed the company name to Panera Bread in 1997. Panera became a public company in 1999. Shaich was awarded the Nation’s Restaurant News 2011 Pioneer Award for being one of the most significant contributors to the history of the restaurant industry.

Added to: Whole Foods Market Inc. - Austin, TX

Whole Foods operates a chain of natural and organic supermarkets. Revenues are $16 billion.