Panera Bread is a restaurant chain with over 1,500 bakery-cafés in the United States and Canada. The company was founded in 1983 by Ron Shaich and is based in St. Louis, Missouri, location number 1. Panera Bread regularly provides quality food at a reasonable price to its customers.
Ronald Shaich founded the company on November 16, 1983, when he purchased the St. Louis Bread Company, founded in 1931. With his start-up loan of $5,000 obtained from the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, Shaich converted the bakery into a café. The new restaurant offered baked fresh daily goods such as chicken divan and French dip sandwiches.
In 1993, Shaich purchased Au Bon Pain which had been on the verge of bankruptcy and merged it with St. Louis Bread Company to create one large cafe chain serving baked goods and full meals. The new company was named Panera Bread in honor of Panera's patron saint, Saint Honoré (Honoratus).
Along with the new business came Shaich's direction to provide higher quality baked goods such as bagels and croissants.
In 2006, Au Bon Pain was sold to the Jamba Juice Company for $215 million, with Panera Bread receiving a 7.5% share of the new company. In 2012, The St. Louis Bread Company and the St. Louis Bread Company Cafe announced that they were parting ways after decades of partnership and were planning a sale of their companies to a third party at an undisclosed price.
Today, Panera Bread has over 1,500 locations in 46 states. In 2009, Panera Bread acquired a minority stake in Paradise Bakery & Café and opened its first out-of-state restaurant at the South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa, California.
In 2013, the company announced it would begin phasing out trans fats from its products by 2016; the transition was completed on schedule. In 2014, it announced that it would cut sodium by 10 percent 2017. In 2016, the company announced it would also eliminate artificial colors from its food by 2017. It also announced plans to serve organic food at all locations, beginning in 2017.
Panera Bread gives back to charity through its Panera Cares programs, including soup kitchens and food banks.
Panera Bread
Cafe
5600 A Urbana Pike Frederick, Maryland 21702Love to enjoy Panera here. Often this location is a little dirty, but today was cleaner and there was more staff working. The staff was nice and food was good as always. ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
500 South National Avenue Springfield, Missouri 65802Everything tastes delicious, and the north Kansas staff is excellent especially the manager in the mornings
Panera Bread
Cafe
3417 Princeton Road Hamilton, Ohio 45011Miss the Napa Almond Chicken Salad. I had the Tomato Basil BLT made with Tomato Basil Miche. I couldn't taste the basil Mainly bread with very little bacon.
Panera Bread
Cafe
810 Grand Central Ave Vienna, West Virginia 26105Great food, great atmosphere.
Panera Bread
Cafe, Bakery, Breakfast Restaurant
3046 Solomons Island Rd Edgewater, Maryland 21037Very clean , food yum. Great workers
Panera Bread
Cafe
2570 Tuscany Street, Ste 102 Corona, California 92881I ordered Pick Two. You have a few options to choose from. I selected half a salad and half of a chicken sandwich, and it came with a side, Yay! They'll give you a number ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
24133 Southland Drive Hayward, California 94545Employees do not know how to treat people
Panera Bread
Cafe
4800 Whitesburg Dr S, Ste F Huntsville, Alabama 35802The vibe here is absolutely amazing. Manager and staff are friendly and provide excellent customer service. People like it and make it there go to for not only food but s ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
380 Palladio Pkwy, Suite 301 Folsom, California 95630Come for the breakfast, but have to order ahead when close to 10.30; hate it when the online server doesn't work. I do wish they had diabetic options on the menu. Dietary ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
1189 E Arques Ave Sunnyvale, California 94085I ordered a salad to-go but they prepared it as dine-in dish. I told them I asked for to-go so they re-packed but with the dressing already mixed with salad (because they ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
847 Boll Weevil Circle, Suite 100 Enterprise, Alabama 36330I had never been to a Panera and I've totally been missing out. It was so delicious. The store was super clean and the staff was friendly.
Panera Bread
Cafe
501 East Hamilton Avenue Campbell, California 95008I ordered the Stacked chicken green goddess baguette. I opened the sandwich the tomatoes fell onto my shirt I took one bite and noticed they forgot to put the chicken on ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
1035 El Monte Avenue Mountain View, California 94041Great.
Panera Bread
Cafe
11550 East 4th Street Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730Was quick and very nice people.
Panera Bread
Cafe
4685 1st St Livermore, California 94551Disappointed
Panera Bread
Cafe
16624 Ventura Blvd, Unit C Encino, California 91436The food is really good. I'm obsessed with their pizza like their pizza's better than anything. It tastes very authentic and like my mom makes ithe reason why I'm giving ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe, Bakery, Breakfast Restaurant
1706 Old Oakland Rd San Jose, California 95131Satisfying fresh baked bread
Panera Bread
Cafe
3590 West Shaw Avenue Fresno, California 93711Had the chicken and wild rice and half a turkey sandwich food was all fresh and delicious
Panera Bread
Cafe
15258 Summit Avenue, Suite 100 Fontana, California 92336The people were great and the food was tasty. But damnit if they aren't excessively expensive and tiny portions.
Panera Bread
Cafe
6865 Camino Arroyo Gilroy, California 95020My sandwich was slapped together with no great effort.. Still tasted good.. but a little disappointed in quality..
Panera Bread
Cafe
1056 E Hospitality Lane San Bernardino, California 92408People are nice but they are always behind and are never stocked up. The drive thru line wait time is 9/10 times insanely long times 25+ min. Inside you have to wait in l ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
2214 North Tustin Street Orange, California 92865Great food and service.
Panera Bread
Cafe
19662 Nordhoff Street Northridge, California 91324I got a toasted steak and white cheddar sandwich and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup. The sandwich consisted of bread mostly, barely any steak, almost no cheese or onions ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
7780 North Blackstone Avenue Fresno, California 93720Ordered online, pick up quick ! Everyone says hello,friendly & approachable
Panera Bread
Cafe
3941 S Bristol Street Santa Ana, California 92704Convenient location across from SCP. Comfortable atmosphere. Parking can be a challenge sometimes.
Panera Bread
Cafe
43458 10th Street, #101 Lancaster, California 93534Wasnt disappointed
Panera Bread
Cafe
200 Doug Baker Blvd, Suite 100 Birmingham, Alabama 35242Broccoli cheese soup bowl is my favorite.
Panera Bread
Cafe
667 San Rodolfo Drive, Suite 130 Solana Beach, California 92075Service was very bad... Out of the six things I ordered the lady forgot three of them which is extremely bad.
Panera Bread
Cafe
5720 Cottle Road, 408-360-7976 San Jose, California 95123FOOD: Shorting meals! Be sure you double check your Togo orders before leaving! On multiple occasions our orders were short. Containers of Mac~ n~cheese, soups, or salad. ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
25523 Marguerite Parkway, Suite A2 Mission Viejo, California 92692These people towed cars on EASTER Sunday during mass. dont support them
Panera Bread
Cafe
10900 Stockdale Hwy, Suite 100 Bakersfield, California 93311Quick and friendly service and great food!
Panera Bread
Cafe
3050 Hotel Dr Turlock, California 95380The best Panera !
Panera Bread
Cafe
24133 Baywood Lane Santa Clarita, California 91355This place is awful.. it's Sunday 12:45 and there are no breads displayed only half the pastries are available. Never any hot water ready (its winter), the honey is usua ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
8179 Highway 72 W Madison, Alabama 35758I hate to write this, but I just have to. You claimed larger portions on your new menu. Its been a tad more but not enough to make a difference. And today you shorted me ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
3013 W Florida Ave Hemet, California 92545Delicious soups !!!!
Panera Bread - Closed
Cafe, Bakery, Breakfast Restaurant
235 East 17th Street Costa Mesa, California 92627Muy hamables .
Panera Bread
Cafe
901 Howe Ave Sacramento, California 95825Well I'm not big fan of bread bowls orglutenoues yeast packed sandwiches. I do love their brocolanc cheese soup bowl and a chocolate drizzled croissant. Excellent mango t ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
17427 Colima Rd, Suite D City of Industry, California 91748I ordered a bread bowl of soup and all I got was a bread bowl of bread with a table spoon of soup. Not worth visiting.
Panera Bread
Cafe
1348 Bison Avenue Newport Beach, California 92660Absolutely impressed with this location. Our service was amazing. Friendly, fast, and took great care of us. Food was delicious. Thank you!
Panera Bread
Cafe
3521 E Foothill Boulevard Pasadena, California 91107It is a very nice feeling to enjoy a natural and relaxing breakfast or afternoon tea here.
Panera Bread
Cafe
143 Summit Boulevard Birmingham, Alabama 35243I came in today at first no one at counter. Then the employee comes to take my order he is on facetime the whole time talking over my food. I was in a hurry tried calling ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
503 Coleman Avenue San Jose, California 95110I love Panera bread, not only for food or drinks. Especially in this store, the team is very nice and Jessi always helps me with a big smile!!!
Panera Bread
Cafe
640 E Ventura Blvd, Suite 1200 Camarillo, California 93010Delicious soups
Panera Bread
Cafe
1337 W Henderson Avenue Porterville, California 93257I had the mango smoothie. If you love mangos you will like this...
Panera Bread
Cafe
13865 City Center Drive, Suite 3097 Chino Hills, California 91709Love the endless sip club!
Panera Bread
Cafe
225 Broadway Circle, Suite 160 San Diego, California 92101The best of the best
Panera Bread
Cafe
2315 Foothill Boulevard La Verne, California 91750Panera Bread
Cafe
990 Town Center, Suite A La Canada, California 91011Lev- Absolutely the Best! Great Customer Service- Very Fast- always clean!
Panera Bread
Cafe
1825 Sugar Exchange Prattville, Alabama 36066Order 2 bagel and 2 drinks. Took a seat and waited about 15 minutes. Saw people who came in after us get their orders. Went to counter to ask and they apparently just igo ... more
Panera Bread
Cafe
1975 Diamond Boulevard Concord, California 94520Update 3.18.24 Portion size much better at this visit, as we ordered extra veggies on the sandwich. We shared a whole Mediterranean sandwich & Greek salad, with chips on ... more
