Panera Bread, founded in 1987 as the St. Louis Bread Company, has grown into one of the largest fast casual restaurant chains in the United States. The bakery-cafe chain is best known for its signature baked goods, sandwiches made with high-quality ingredients, and warm and inviting cafe atmosphere.
Panera’s Famous Breads and Bakery Items
At the heart of Panera’s menu are its fresh-baked breads, bagels, pastries and sweets. The chain bakes its breads, bagels and pastries fresh in-house each day using high-quality ingredients and time-honored techniques. This sets Panera apart from many other fast food chains that rely on frozen and pre-made options.
Some of Panera’s most famous bakery items include:
- Artisan breads – Panera offers classics like French baguettes and Italian ciabatta as well as signature loaves like spelt bread, whole grain loaf and maple pecan bread.
- Bagels – Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, Panera’s bagels are a breakfast staple.
- Cinnamon Crunch Bagels – A customer favorite, these bagels are topped with a vanilla icing and streusel crumbs.
- Pastries – From muffins and scones to bear claws, cinnamon rolls and croissants, Panera’s pastry case is stocked with fresh-baked indulgences.
In the early 2000s, Panera’s artisan breads and premium bakery items helped set it apart from typical fast food chains. At a time when many restaurants were serving factory-made frozen bagels and muffins, Panera offered an upscale bakery-cafe experience with breads and pastries baked fresh daily.
Signature Sandwiches & Salads
While the bread may be the star of the show, Panera also offers delicious sandwiches, salads and soups made with quality ingredients. Some customer favorites include:
- Steak & Arugula sandwich – Thinly sliced steak, petit arugula, tomatoes, onions and chipotle mayo on a French baguette.
- Tuna Salad sandwich – Albacore tuna salad made without mayo on tomato basil bread.
- Green Goddess Cobb Salad – Chicken, bacon, eggs, avocado and blue cheese on mixed greens tossed in a green goddess dressing.
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup – A creamy soup loaded with broccoli florets and melted cheddar.
Panera offers sandwich, salad and soup options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets as well. Customers can also build their own sandwiches and salads choosing from quality proteins, vegetables, grains and dressings.
Clean Food Philosophy
Over the past decade, Panera has made a public commitment to offering “clean food” free from artificial additives. Some key elements of its clean food philosophy include:
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors or preservatives
- Antibiotic-free chicken, ham, turkey and roast beef
- Cage-free eggs and 100% grass-fed steak
- Dairy from cows not treated with rBGH hormones
- Bread with no high-fructose corn syrup
By carefully sourcing quality ingredients and removing undesirable additives from its food, Panera has catered to rising consumer demand for clean eating. Its transparent approach to sourcing and menu ingredients has helped attract health-conscious diners.
Comfortable Cafe Ambiance
In addition to its food, Panera has also become known for its inviting cafe atmosphere. Key elements that contribute to the overall Panera cafe experience include:
- Cozy seating areas with plush chairs and sofas
- Natural light from large windows
- Free WiFi and charging stations welcoming remote workers
- Order kiosks for quick and easy ordering
- Bakery’s aromas and sights
Panera cafes are designed to be uplifting, laidback spaces where people can meet, work or simply relax. The chain has successfully branded itself as an inviting “third place” outside of home or work. Customers often come to Panera to work, study, meet friends or just unwind in a comfortable environment.
Specialty Drinks
To complement its fresh bakery and clean meals, Panera also offers specialty hot and cold drinks:
- Coffee – Available hot or iced. Customers can customize coffee drinks with shots, flavors and milk alternatives.
- Espresso and lattes – Made from Rainforest Alliance Certified beans.
- Frappes – Blended iced coffee drinks in mocha, caramel and other flavors.
- Smoothies – Blended fruit smoothies made with real fruit and juices.
- Lemonades – Classic or strawberry lemonade freshly squeezed in-house.
- Fountain sodas – Including diet options.
The chain upgrades typical fast food sodas and coffee with higher quality ingredients like Rainforest Alliance coffee beans. Its specialty drinks menu gives customers refreshing choices beyond water, soda or juice.
Panera’s Rapid Growth
Since its founding in the 1980s, Panera has experienced rapid growth across the United States and Canada:
- 1987 – First store opens in St. Louis, MO as the St. Louis Bread Company
- 1993 – 16 bakery-cafes open across the Midwest
- 1997 – Company rebranded to Panera Bread
- 2000 – Over 190 locations across America
- 2010 – 1,400 stores systemwide
- 2015 – Nearly 2,000 stores
- 2019 – 2,100 stores across the U.S. and Canada
Panera’s rise demonstrates increasing consumer demand for high quality, fast casual dining options. By filling a niche between traditional fast food and fine dining, Panera became one of the largest restaurant chains in America.
Key Factors in Panera’s Growth
Some key factors that fueled Panera’s rapid expansion include:
- High quality ingredients – Bread, meats, produce and dairy a cut above typical fast food.
- In-house baking – Fresh breads and pastries baked in each cafe daily.
- Customization – Patrons can build their own sandwiches, salads and cafe drinks.
- Cafes as gathering places – Cozy, welcoming atmosphere for meals or work.
- Clean food focus – Removal of artificial additives to meet consumer demand.
- Technology – Ordering kiosks and apps provide convenience and speed.
By leveraging these differentiators while expanding across suburban and urban markets, Panera became a go-to destination for quality and convenience.
Recent Trends and Innovations
More recently, Panera has embraced new technologies and service styles to enhance the customer experience:
- Digital ordering – Customers can order and pay via Panera’s website or mobile app for speed and convenience.
- Delivery – Many urban locations offer delivery through third party partners.
- Drive-thru – Select locations now offer drive-thru lanes.
- Automatic kiosks – Self-serve kiosks allow customers to place their own orders without waiting in line.
- Panera 2.0 – New store designs focus on Rapid Pick-Up for digital orders and delivery drivers.
By embracing technology, Panera continues to evolve its offerings to meet the demands of modern consumers. While staying true to its commitment to fresh and clean food, the chain also delivers added speed and convenience through digital platforms.
Nutritional Information and Health Impact
As a fast casual chain, Panera offers greater emphasis on nutrition compared to most quick service restaurants. However, diners should still practice moderation and balance when eating at Panera.
Calories and Macronutrients
The calorie, fat, carb, protein and sodium content of menu items at Panera include:
| Item | Calories | Total Fat | Net Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli Cheddar Soup (12 oz) | 330 | 26g | 29g | 12g | 830mg |
| Greek Salad with Chicken | 320 | 13g | 28g | 27g | 730mg |
| Tuna Salad Sandwich | 500 | 15g | 63g | 28g | 860mg |
| Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese | 420 | 13g | 63g | 13g | 520mg |
While Panera has lower calorie and higher nutrient options, sodium levels can still be high especially for sandwiches and soups. Portion control is key.
Healthy Eating Tips at Panera
Some tips for healthy eating at Panera Bread include:
- Opt for broth-based soups over cream-based
- Load up salads with veggies and easy on high-fat dressings
- Choose whole grain and sprouted grain bread options
- Limit added cheese, mayo and butter
- Order small or half sandwich sizes
- Ask for sauces and dressings on the side
- Share or split desserts and bakery items
- Drink water instead of fountain sodas
While Panera has many better-for-you options, diners should still practice portion control and balance when frequenting the chain.
Financial Performance and Outlook
Panera Bread has delivered steady financial growth driven by new cafe openings, strategic acquisitions, and increasing sales at existing locations. Some key financial highlights include:
- Systemwide sales reached $6.1 billion in 2019, up 3% over the previous year.
- The chain averaged sales of $2.7 million per company-owned cafe in 2019.
- Digital and delivery sales increased in 2019 to over 40% of total restaurant sales.
- Panera was acquired by JAB Holding company in 2018 for over $7 billion.
Panera appears positioned for continued growth and financial success based on strategic initiatives like:
- Opening 100+ new locations annually
- Renovating cafes to facilitate digital ordering and pickup
- Expanding dinner menu offerings
- Increasing options for meal delivery
- Leveraging consumer data to enhance loyalty and convenience
By combining innovations in technology and customer experience with its core menu offerings, Panera is likely to cement its position as a leading fast casual player.
Conclusion
In summary, Panera Bread’s fame and success can be attributed to:
- Bakery-fresh breads, pastries and bagels
- High-quality salads, sandwiches and soups
- Clean food free from artificial additives
- Cafes designed as comfy gathering spaces
- Specialty coffee drinks and lemonades
- Fast casual service and ambiance
- Digital ordering and delivery for convenience
By differentiating itself from typical fast food chains and pioneering the fast casual bakery-cafe segment, Panera has become one of the most popular and fastest growing restaurant brands in America over the past 30 years. With its attention to food quality, cafe ambiance, and embracing technology, Panera is well-positioned for continued success.