Panera reportedly benefited from a donor relationship with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. FOX Business' Lauren Simonetti reports.
Panera Bread will introduce nine new entrees and upgrade some of its current offerings.
The changes, centered on giving "core" offerings like soups, salads and sandwiches a boost,arise out of a major update coming to its menus around the country starting April 4, the brand said Thursday.
Panera said it aimed to offer "better value through enhanced portions and lower price points" with the menu changes, "while also being easier for guests to navigate." The overhaul is supposed to boost efficiency among its workers at the same time, Panera said.
Panera's "new era" is slated to kick off in April. (Panera Bread)
One of the new dishes Panera plans to roll out will be a Bacon Mac & Cheese. Among the other eight new additions, four will be sandwiches – the Toasted Italiano, Chicken Bacon Rancher, Ciabatta Cheesesteak and Tomato Basil BLT – and four will be salads – the Mediterranean Chicken Greens with Grains, Southwest Chicken Ranch, Balsamic Chicken Greens with Grains and Ranch Cobb Salad.
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The company said some of the new offerings would have price tags under $10.
Sandwiches that Panera will roll out in April. (Panera Bread)
Customers can expect existing dishes like the Bravo Club Sandwich and Fuji Apple Chicken Salad to undergo some changes. In total, a dozen items already on its menu will get "recipe enhancements" and become "packed with even more delicious flavors that guests will love," according to Panera.
Bacon Mac & Cheese by Panera. (Panera Bread)
"There will be more chicken and steak on many salads and sandwiches," the company said.
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It was not clear whether Panera’s "Charged Lemonade," a caffeinated beverage that has been the subject of three lawsuits in recent months, would still be available once the self-proclaimed "new era" of Panera kicks off in April.
The company has said more details about its "largest menu transformation ever" will come out as it gets closer and closer to the debut of its 20-plus changes at restaurants. The brand’s presence includes 2,160 locations across the U.S. and Ontario, Canada.
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Panera Brands, which the namesake chain, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. fall under, reported last year brought in over $4.8 billion in revenue in fiscal 2022.
FAQs
Newly configurated in-cafe and on the Panera app, the new menu also streamlines Panera's pantry of high-quality ingredients and reduces operational complexity, helping Panera team members to deliver a fantastic and consistent guest experience.
Is Panera Bread rolling out a major menu changes across the country? ›
US bakery-café chain Panera Bread has announced a significant menu expansion with the introduction of changes entitled New Era. This includes nine brand-new offerings and 12 enhanced classic dishes. The company has rolled out the changes across all its bakery-cafés nationwide.
Is Panera Bread making changes to its menu beginning April 4? ›
Starting on April 4, 2024, Panera will bring in over 20 new and improved items to their menu. There will be nine brand new dishes and 12 updates to some of their classic eats that customers already love. The goal of this menu change is to make sure customers get great value and a smooth experience at Panera.
Did Panera Bread remove 48 menu items in biggest transformation? ›
According to Eat This, Not That!, 48 menu items have been removed from the menu in what was described as the "biggest menu transformation" in the company's history. Per the publication, the Smoky Buffalo Chicken Melt's name has been changed to the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Melt.
What sandwich did Panera get rid of? ›
Black Forest Ham & Gouda Melt – Toasted Baguette. Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt – Toasted Baguette. Chicken & Pepperoni Mozzarella Melt – Stacked Toasted Baguette. Chicken Green Goddess Caprese Melt – Stacked Toasted Baguette.
What company did Panera merge with? ›
Panera announced on August 25, 2021, that it had merged with Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels to form Panera Brands.
Did Krispy Kreme buy Panera Bread? ›
Maggie McGrath is a senior editor covering female entrepreneurship.
Who is Panera Bread's competitor? ›
Panera Bread's competitors and similar companies include Sweetgreen, Del Taco, Starbucks, Restaurant Brands International, Au Bon Pain and Dine Brands Global. Panera Bread is a company that owns and operates a chain of bakery cafés.
Who owns Panera Bread? ›
What does Panera do with bread at end of day? ›
We care for our communities by donating to charities dedicated to feeding our neighbors in need. That's why our bakery-cafes donate their unsold bread, bagels, and baked goods to local non-profits at the end of the night through our Day-End Dough-Nation program.
Breads: The bread with the fewest calories is the whole grain miche with 130 per serving. Other good choices are the whole grain baguette or whole grain loaf with 140 calories (each option also has 3 grams of fiber per serving).
Does Panera rotate soup? ›
Panera sells approximately 200 million servings of soup a year, rotating daily between 10 core soups in addition to seasonal favorites including Turkey Chili and Autumn Squash.
Is Panera still clean eating? ›
All our products are Clean - made without the artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors or and colors from artificial sources detailed on our No No List.
Does Panera actually donate leftover bread? ›
That's why we donate our unsold baked goods to local non-profits at the end of the night through our Day-End Dough-Nation® program. We partner with over 3,300 charities nationwide, including food pantries, veteran services and youth shelters, to provide bread and bakery items to those in need and to reduce food waste.
What Panera had to change to make its menu clean? ›
In 2017 Panera announced it had removed artificial ingredients from its U.S. menu, following a commitment to "clean" ingredients in 2014 and the 2015 publication of a list of prohibited additives, which it calls its "No No List."
Why did they change to Panera? ›
Saint Louis Bread Company was renamed Panera to position it for national growth.
Is Panera discontinuing charged lemonade? ›
The company said the decision was part of a “menu transformation,” which would focus on “low sugar and low-caffeine options.” Panera Bread announced Wednesday that it's phasing out its highly caffeinated “Charged Lemonade” drinks that have been blamed for the deaths of at least two people.
Why did Panera remove their flatbreads? ›
The chain is phasing out items like flatbread pizza to make space for nine fresh menu additions and “enhanced portions,” building on its recent dinner focus.
