Market Wire -- Panera Bread Company (NasdaqGS:PNRA - News) today reported net income of $26 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended December 30, 2008, including $0.03 per diluted share of charges. These charges include a $0.01 net charge for a write-off of the Company’s investment in the Columbia Strategic Cash Portfolio, a $0.01 charge for the write-off of assets associated with the roll-out of the Company’s new coffee program and a $0.01 charge for reserves associated with legal settlements. These results compare to net income of $18 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended December 25, 2007.
