What You Should Know Before Eating at Panera Bread

A well-known American bakery-café company, Panera Bread is known for its extensive menu of healthy, freshly baked goods. Exactly What Is Panera? Panera is well-known for its dedication to using high-quality ingredients in its baked goods, sandwiches, salads, soups, and other menu items. Takeout and delivery are also available, so customers may dine in comfort or on the go. Offering healthier menu options, being transparent about where their ingredients come from, and becoming involved in the community via programs like donation centers and community cafés are all things that Panera is known for.

It was first known as St. Louis Bread

St. Louis Bread Co., Panera Bread's predecessor in the 1980s, was a small, unassuming bread company located in Missouri. That is, until the folks behind Au Bon Pain (1981) acquired those stores and turned them into the reliable Panera that everyone loves today. St. Louis Bread Co. (or "Bread Co." as the regulars call it) will forever be the name of the fifty or more locations in the St. Louis region.

They Operate in 2,000 Locations

It blew up totally once the company shed Au Bon Pain in 1999. In only ten years, what began as just 20 stores in the St. Louis region is now approximately 2,000. The business increased by more than thirty percent in 2009 alone, which meant that a new location opened about every five days. Not to add, the business accomplished all of this while maintaining its dedication to quality and customers. It even went on to become Fast business's #1 most innovative business in 2015, and in March of 2016, it launched its 2,000th bakery-café.

Classical music is always playing in stores

Panera may not be the right spot for you if Beethoven isn't your thing. Classical music is the sole genre played in this café. You may as well kick it at Starbucks if jazz was what you were after.

You Don't Have To Pay At Some Locations

A "pay-what-you-can" system is in effect at a small number of establishments in low-income neighborhoods. These eateries, which are officially known as Panera Cares Community Cafes, take whatever amount customers are able to provide, but the menu does indicate recommended amounts. According to Panera, 70% to 75% of their revenues come from these locations, and around 60% of their customers often spend that much or more.

It was the first chain in the country to list calorie counts

Before McDonald's began peddling kale salad, Panera pioneered what is now standard practice in the healthy eating movement: it began by providing calorie counts on menus. Also, in 2005, it got rid of all artificial Trans fats from the menu and in January 2017, it got rid of all artificial additives. Although it took more than sixty attempts to get the Broccoli Cheddar Soup "clean," their soup menu is certified devoid of artificial ingredients.

Panera is committed to serving safe chicken and meat

Chipotle and other fast food companies have recently had salmonella, norovirus, and E. coli incidents, which has made consumers very wary of the origins and handling of their food. Chicken produced without antibiotics on a large scale was offered by Panera initially, making them an innovator in the antibiotic-free meat market. This is likely why their Strawberry Poppy seed & Chicken Salad was so popular. The pig at this restaurant is completely free of antibiotics, the chicken and roasted turkey are vegetarian-fed and antibiotic-free, and the beef is 89% free-range and grass-fed. By 2020, no egg will have come from a cage.

All of that tasty bread is baked from scratch every day

An incredible 250 million bagels and 50 million baguettes are produced annually by Panera's more than 6,000 bakers. On a nightly basis, all Panera stores get dough from Fresh Dough Facilities located around the nation. Their bread is, hence, very fresh.

They Provide Free Refills for Coffee

With a few notable exceptions, refills on most drinks are really free. To be more specific, there are a plethora of Panera menu tricks, such as getting additional free ingredients (ahem, avocado) and 99 cent pastries, among many more.

There is a hidden menu with lots of healthy choices

Everyone who works at Panera knows about their secret menu, unlike at Starbucks where you can get a puzzled look if you ask for anything that isn't on the menu. You may order less well-known products like a Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl or a Power Steak Lettuce Wrap in addition to the touted healthy menu options.

The Extravaganza for Breakfast

Panera Breakfast Hours

For those looking for a delicious way to start the day, knowing Panera Breakfast Hours is essential. On weekdays, Panera usually offers breakfast until 10:30 AM, and on weekends, its 11:00 AM. Customers may enjoy a range of breakfast selections made with high-quality, freshly-prepared ingredients throughout this time. Do you know what Panera Gluten Free options is? In fact, they do carry a variety of gluten-free bread alternatives, salads, and soups. So, before placing an order at the restaurant or online, be sure the gluten-free item is available.

A Look at Panera's Breakfast Menu

There is a wide variety of mouth-watering alternatives on Panera Breakfast Menu to satisfy different tastes. The menu offers a variety of freshly baked pastries and substantial breakfast sandwiches with ingredients like avocado, egg white, and spinach, as well as conventional and inventive options.

Moving on to Lunch

What Time Does Panera Offer Lunch?

Do you know What Time Panera Serves Lunch? This shift is determined by the clock; lunch service starts at around 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends. Customers may enjoy a variety of lunchtime treats as they easily transition from the morning to noon thanks to this clever scheduling.

You will never again have to wait in line at Panera

For the benefit of its patrons, Panera 2.0 has integrated several technological features into the dining experience. You may use Rapid Pick-Up to make an order over the phone or online up to two weeks in advance, and then you can skip the queue by picking up your food from a designated shelf. You may even use a tablet platform with a touch screen to place your order at most places. The shipment is currently being prepared.

Kids may enroll in a program called Bakers in Training

Kids from the ages of 5 to 12 may enjoy this two-hour culinary adventure at several venues. Attendees will receive a chef's hat and an apron to wear as they see a baking demo, explore the facility behind the scenes, taste something from the kids' menu, and personalize a cookie.

Save with Panera Promo Codes on Affordable Dining

The impression of Panera being expensive is frequently in line with its dedication to high-quality products and a distinctive eating experience. Panera takes pride in using fresh, healthy foods, which may be one reason why their prices are a little higher than fast-food chains. Even though Panera's prices show their commitment to serving healthy and better food, there are ways to make your visit cheaper. For discerning eaters, looking for Panera Promo Code is a wise move. You can often find these promotional codes in a number of different places. They can unlock discounts, special deals, or even free things, which makes choosing from Panera's menu more affordable. By using Panera promo codes, customers can enjoy their favorite meals without breaking the bank, making what they thought was an unnecessary expense into a delicious and cost-effective cooking experience.

Conclusion

Panera bread is a culinary beacon, serving nutritious, freshly baked foods. Panera's varied menu of sandwiches, salads, soups, and more reflects its openness and dedication to excellent ingredients. Since its founding as St. Louis Bread Co., Panera has innovated and satisfied customers at 2,000 locations. Panera introduced pay-what-you-can locations, calorie counts, and antibiotic-free meat in addition to delicious meals. Panera remains popular due to its community involvement and culinary brilliance. Panera discount coupons make each visit a celebration of wonderful cuisine and wise savings.