Founded in 1960, Covelli Enterprises has grown to become the 4th largest franchisee in the United States and the single largest franchisee in the Panera Bread system. Previous owner and operator of 45 McDonald's franchises, Covelli currently owns and operates more than 300 Panera locations in 8 states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. In addition to Panera Bread, Covelli Enterprises is also a franchisee of several Dairy Queen and O’Charley’s Restaurants. Recognized as having the highest rated restaurant operations and business practices in the industry, Sam Covelli has continually won operational awards for sales, exceptional service, cleanliness, and customer service. Recognized by Ernst and Young as their Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005, Covelli was then named Restaurateur of the Year. Covelli has also been inducted into the “Business Hall of Fame” of Northeast Ohio. Covelli Enterprises has a long history of giving back to the community. In 2017 alone, Covelli Enterprises donated more than $32 million dollars in unsold bread product and monetary support to local hunger relief agencies and other non-profit organizations in the communities where it does business.