ST. LOUIS, Mo. (WDRB) -- Panera Bread is being sold to the company that controls Krispy Kreme, Keurig and many other recognizable brands. 

The investment group JAB cut a deal to buy the St. Louis-based Panera for an estimated $7.5 billion. The deal would take the company private. And it includes taking on the bakery's debt in a plan to expand the chain's coffee and breakfast empire. 

JAB already owns or has controlling interest in companies including Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, K-cup coffee pod-maker Keurig Green Mountain Inc., Coty cosmetics and luxury goods maker Jimmy Choo.

Panera has 2,000 bakery cafes in the U. S. 

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