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Steven Joseph Wolfe

Retired Real Estate Investor

Steven Joseph Wolfe, a seasoned entrepreneur and retired real estate investor, has built a diversified portfolio since he started investing in 2013. His investment ventures span a variety of sectors, including a 118-unit single-family rental (SFR) housing community, five short-term vacation rentals, new construction apartments, two Marriott hotels, and a pioneering medical biotechnology startup. In 2021, Wolfe expanded into the senior living sector with his inaugural project in Durango, Colorado, which was successfully sold in the spring of 2024. Since then, he and his partners have embarked on seven additional senior living projects across Minnesota and Iowa, demonstrating his growing interest and investment in this area.

Wolfe’s expertise is not limited to real estate; he is also proficient in restaurant and franchise operations, specializing recently in senior living facilities that offer assisted living and memory care services.

 

Career as a Panera Bread Franchise


Steven Joseph Wolfe embarked on his journey as a Panera Bread franchise owner/operator in 2000. Over the years, he developed six franchise locations across southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. He built these franchises into a thriving business employing more than 350 staff across the locations. He sold his interest in these franchises in 2019.

During his tenure as a franchise owner, Wolfe’s responsibilities were extensive, encompassing operations, financial oversight, leadership, management, employee development, marketing, and multi-site management. He achieved consistent year-over-year sales growth while upholding the quality and standards of the Panera Bread brand. His franchises consistently ranked in the top five nationally among all Panera Bread franchisees in customer satisfaction surveys.

Wolfe’s leadership style focused on effective personnel strategies. He hired and retained competent general managers for each of the six locations and appointed a district manager to help with strategic planning for the region. He oversaw and managed hundreds of employees, collaborating with his HR director and accountant to ensure all hiring actions, benefits, and employee plans complied with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Wolfe took pride in being a visible, hands-on leader, often engaging directly with customers and staff at the store level.

He also worked closely with his regional training manager to ensure consistent training protocols were in place for the onboarding and retaining managers and hourly associates. The management team under his leadership included more than 32 managers, overseeing salaried general and assistant managers and hourly shift managers. His Panera stores operated with overnight bakers, necessitating coordination with a regional bakery manager to manage the hiring, training, and production of bakery products, which amounted to $360k in monthly revenue.

In terms of marketing, Wolfe adeptly maintained the Panera Bread national brand while tailoring his strategies to the local market. He worked collaboratively with national corporate marketing staff to identify effective strategies resonating with the target audience, contributing significantly to sales growth and expanding new stores in his region.

 

Early Career as an Insurance Broker


After graduating from university, Steven Wolfe sold insurance for five years as an independent sales broker for Family Heritage Life, primarily in the western suburbs of Chicago. He was a top performer, achieving the top five in sales yearly and selling over $1 million in supplemental insurance coverage during his tenure.

During his college summers, Wolfe sold educational and Christian books, working only 80 hours weekly on commission. He excelled in this role, finishing in the top 100 sales representatives out of 3,000 college students during three of his four summer stints. This experience occurred in various southern states, allowing him to meet and interact with thousands of families annually, honing his sales skills and resilience.

 

Educational Background and Personal Life


Wolfe was the sixth of ten children in Davenport, Iowa, and graduated from Assumption High School in 1988. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in History from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, in 1992.

 

Importance of Volunteer Work


Throughout his life, Steven Joseph Wolfe has been an active volunteer. He has been involved in numerous charitable events, such as the Chair Affair for the Rochester Boys and Girls Club, where he donated his time and auction items. His Panera franchises contributed significantly to the community, donating over $300,000 annually in leftover bread and bakery products to local nonprofits and food banks.

Wolfe also supported and volunteered for the Salvation Army’s “Taste of the Town” in Rochester for 15 years and partnered with their Thanksgiving Turkey Trot fundraiser for seven years. He has also been involved in the Backpacks for Kids program at the Autumn Ridge Church and served on the board of PossAbilities, which supports individuals with disabilities.

 

Community Engagement and Interests


Wolfe’s community engagement extends to supporting local youth, participating in high school events, and providing insights on entrepreneurship to students. He enjoys riding his road bike, attending sporting events and concerts, and exploring state and national parks with his family and friends.

Steven Joseph Wolfe’s career is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and commitment to community service, making him a respected and influential figure in business and philanthropic communities.

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Steven Joseph Wolfe

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