Panera Bread Company (NASD:PNRA) is a competitor of coffee giant Starbucks (NASD:SBUX).

By now, everyone knows that SBUX is plagued by problems associated with the weak economy; their customers are not coming to their stores four times a day to get their caffeine fix. Founder Howard “Fight to the Death” Schultz is back in the hot seat as CEO leading resuscitation efforts.

While the financial media has been focusing on SBUX negatives, Panera Bread Company has been outperforming in this tough market environment and investors are noticing.

The Charts

Let’s take a look at the price action of both companies in the past year.

Panera Bread Company (PNRA)

• Panera Bread profit up despite wheat cost increases
  “To deliver 33 percent earnings growth in the second quarter, despite the weak consumer environment and the hyperinflation we are experiencing in wheat and gasoline, is quite gratifying,” said Chief Executive Ron Shaich.
• Panera Bread shares fall after downgrade
  Shares of bakery and cafe operator Panera Bread Co.