Panera Bread

{{Short description|American restaurant chain}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox company | name = Panera Bread Company | logo = Panera Bread wordmark.svg | logo_size = 125px | trade_name = Panera Bread<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trademarks.justia.com/753/74/panera-75374266.html|title=PANERA BREAD - Trademark Details|website=Justia Trademarks|access-date=March 2, 2026}}</ref> | image = Panera Bread The Villages Florida.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Panera Bread in The Villages, Florida | type = Private | founder = '''St. Louis Bread Company''': Ken Rosenthal and Linda Rosenthal '''Panera Bread''': Louis Kane and Ronald M. Shaich | area_served = {{Unbulleted list|United States|Canada}} | key_people = Ronald M. Shaich – founder and chairman<ref name=p-people>{{cite web|title=Management biographies | url=https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/company/about-panera/management-bios.html | website=Panera Bread}}</ref><ref name=fort-kowit>{{cite news | last=Kowitt |first=Beth |title=Why Panera's CEO Stepped Down | url=http://fortune.com/2017/11/10/panera-ceo-steps-down-acquires-au-bon-pain/ | work=Fortune |date=November 10, 2017}}</ref> Ken Rosenthal – founder of The St. Louis Bread Company Paul Carbone – CEO<ref name=p-people/> (2025–present) Charles J. Chapman, III – executive VP and COO<ref name=p-people/> Sue Morelli – president of Au Bon Pain<ref name=p-people/> | industry = {{flat list| * Café * Coffee Shop * Bakery }} | genre = Fast casual | products = Bakery-café serving several varieties of bread – {{hlist|bagels|baguettes|cold sandwiches|hot panini|salads|soups|coffee|teas}} | parent = JAB Holding Company | subsidiaries = Paradise Bakery & Café | founded = '''St. Louis Bread Co.''': {{start date and age|1987}} Kirkwood, Missouri, U.S. '''Panera Bread''': {{start date and age|1997}} St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | hq_location = Fenton, Missouri | hq_location_country = United States | num_locations = {{unbulleted list |'''Panera Bread''': 2,078 |'''St. Louis Bread Co.''': 100 |'''Total''': 2,178 }} | revenue = {{increase}} US$6.456 billion (2023)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/top-500-chains-2024/panera-bread | title=Panera Bread }}</ref> | net_income = {{decrease}} US$145 million (2016) | assets = {{decrease}} US$1.301 billion (2016) | equity = {{decrease}} US$288 million (2016) | num_employees = About 140,000<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.appsruntheworld.com/customers-database/customers/view/panera-bread-usa |title=Panera Bread Software Purchases and Digital Transformation Initiatives |date=May 8, 2020 |website=Apps Run the World |access-date=June 7, 2020 }}</ref> | website = {{URL|panerabread.com}} | footnotes = <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/724606/000072460617000004/a2016122710k.htm | title=Panera Bread Company 2016 Form 10-K Annual Report | website=SEC.gov|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission}}</ref> }} [[File:Panerabreadoffices.jpg|thumb|Former headquarters in Sunset Hills, Missouri, near St. Louis]] [[File:Chicago panera bread.jpg|thumb|right|Panera Bread in the Chicago Loop in 2006]] [[File:An employee places a bagel in a slicer machine at a Panera Bread restaurant.jpg|thumb|An employee places a bagel in a slicer at a Panera Bread in Cleveland, Tennessee.]] thumb|Panera delivery vehicle thumb|Panera Bread in Canada [[File:Panera Bread at Shoppes at Black Diamond, Florida.jpg|thumb|Panera Bread in Black Diamond, Florida]] '''Panera Bread Company'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/PNRA:US|title=Panera Bread CO|website=Bloomberg News|access-date=May 8, 2026}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|p|ə|ˈ|n|ɛər|ə}} {{Respell|pə|NAIR|ə}}) is an American multinational chain of bakery-café fast casual restaurants with over 2,000 locations, all of which are in the United States and Canada. Its headquarters are in Fenton, Missouri. The chain operates as '''Saint Louis Bread Company''' in the Greater St. Louis area, with over 100 locations.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2009/08/17/daily25.html | title=Panera tests $16.99 lobster sandwich | work=American City Business Journals | date=August 18, 2009}}</ref>

Panera offers a wide array of pastries and baked goods, such as bagels, brownies, cookies, croissants, muffins, and scones. These, along with Panera's artisan breads, are typically baked by an on-staff baker the day before serving. Aside from the bakery section, Panera has a regular menu for dine-in or takeout, including salads, sandwiches, side choices, and soups, as well as coffee, espresso drinks, frozen drinks, fruit smoothies, hot chocolate, iced drinks, lattes, lemonade, and tea.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 18, 2018 |title=Your Favorite Summer Salad is Back at Panera Bread |work=Taste of Home |url=https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/strawberry-poppyseed-salad-is-back-at-panera-bread/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Turkey and Cranberry: A Classic Combination |url=https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/articles/turkey-and-cranberry-a-classic-combination.html |website=Panera Bread}}</ref>

Panera Bread, formerly owned by Au Bon Pain, is currently owned by JAB Holding Company, which is, in turn, owned by the Reimann family of Germany.<ref name=wsj-shaich/> Panera was once the largest provider of free Wi-Fi hotspots in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 29, 2014 |title=5 Things You Didn't Know About the Panera Bread Chain |work=The Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-things-you-didnt-know-a_b_4868923}}</ref>

==History==

Ken and Linda Rosenthal founded the St. Louis Bread Company in 1987 after Ken visited sourdough bakery-café La Boulanger in San Francisco at the insistence of his brother. After being fascinated with the process of sourdough making, he was trained to make sourdough under instruction of the owner, Roger Brunello for a year.<ref name="NYTsandomir">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/business/ken-rosenthal-dead.html |title=Ken Rosenthal, Founder of Panera Bread's Forerunner, Dies at 81 |date=February 23, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Richard |last=Sandomir |access-date=July 21, 2025}}</ref> The first location was opened in Kirkwood, Missouri. The Rosenthals invested $150,000 and received a $150,000 Small Business Administration loan.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2010/01/04/story2.html | title=Panera's Rosenthal cashes in | work=American City Business Journals | date=January 3, 2010}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

Au Bon Pain Co., a public company, purchased the St. Louis Bread Company in 1993 for $23 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ronshaich.com/pdf/70ce7ad796.pdf | title=Panera's Ron Shaich Really Rolls In The Dough | first=BRIAN | last=DEAGON | work=Investor's Business Daily | date=January 25, 2010 | access-date=October 29, 2018 | archive-date=May 8, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508135503/http://www.ronshaich.com/pdf/70ce7ad796.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/12/business/company-news-au-bon-pain-to-acquire-saint-louis-bread-company.html | title=Au Bon Pain to Acquire Saint Louis Bread Company | agency=Associated Press | work=The New York Times | date=November 12, 1993}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name=gamble/>

In 1997, Au Bon Pain changed the company name to Panera, from a word that has roots in the Latin word for "breadbasket" (Classical {{lang|la|pānārium}}, Vulgar {{lang|la|pānāria}}) and is identical to the word for "breadbasket" in Spanish and Catalan. The original name was retained for locations in Missouri.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/1998/01/19/daily5.html |title=Saint Louis Bread Co. baking up big growth in '98 |date=January 20, 1998 |work=St. Louis Business Journal |access-date=March 5, 2023 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=gamble>{{cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/2012/07/17/smallbusiness/panera-ron-shaich.fortune/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718125907/http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/17/smallbusiness/panera-ron-shaich.fortune/index.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 18, 2012 | title=A founder's bold gamble on Panera | first=Beth | last=Kowitt | work=Fortune | date=July 17, 2012}}</ref> At the same time, the St. Louis Bread Company renovated its 20 bakery-cafés in the St. Louis area.<ref name=About>{{cite web | url=https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/company/about-panera/our-history.html | title=Our History | website=Panera Bread | access-date=October 29, 2018 | archive-date=September 26, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926194318/https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/company/about-panera/our-history.html | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=gamble/>

In May 1999, Au Bon Pain Co. sold the Au Bon Pain chain to the firm Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. for $78 million to focus on the Panera Bread chain.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2000/12/04/story1.html | title=Au Bon Pain acquisition may be near | first=Donna L. | last=Goodison | work=American City Business Journals | date=December 4, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/14383255/1/panera-bread-au-bon-pain-to-reunite.html | title=Panera Bread, Au Bon Pain to Reunite for First Time Since 1998 | first=Laura | last=Berman | work=TheStreet.com | date=November 11, 2017 }}</ref>

In 2000, Panera Bread moved its headquarters to Richmond Heights, Missouri.<ref>{{cite news | title=Panera Bread finalizing headquarters search | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2010/01/25/story11.html | first=Lisa R. | last=Brown | work=American City Business Journals | date=January 24, 2010}}</ref>

In 2007, Panera Bread purchased a 51% stake in Paradise Bakery & Café, a Phoenix metropolitan area-based concept with over 70 locations in 10 states, predominantly in the West and Southwest, for $21.1 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2006/11/13/daily4.html | title=Panera to buy majority interest in Southwest regional chain | work=American City Business Journals | date=November 13, 2006}}</ref> The company purchased the balance of Paradise in June 2009.<ref name=About/>

=== Expansion into Canada === In October 2008, Panera Bread expanded into Canada, opening locations in Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Oakville, and Mississauga in the Greater Toronto Area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Lisa R. |date=October 26, 2007 |title=Panera Bread headquarters in play |work=American City Business Journals |url=http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2007/10/29/story1.html}}</ref>

A class action lawsuit was filed against the company in February 2008, alleging it failed to disclose material adverse facts about the company's financial well-being, business relationships, and prospects.<ref>{{cite news | title=Panera faces class-action lawsuit | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/02/25/daily21.html | work=American City Business Journals | date=February 27, 2008}}</ref> In February 2011, Panera agreed to pay $5.75 million to shareholders while admitting no wrongdoing, settling the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/article_27b1dbae-3ee0-11e0-bd36-00127992bc8b.html/ | title=Panera to pay $5.75 million to settle lawsuit |first=Lisa R. | last=Brown | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=February 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Fenske | first=Sarah | title=Panera Bread Settles Class Action Suit Alleging Stock Fraud | url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/foodblog/2011/02/24/panera-bread-settles-class-action-suit-alleging-stock-fraud | work=River Front Times | date=February 24, 2011 | archive-date=October 28, 2021 | access-date=October 29, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028182457/https://www.riverfronttimes.com/foodblog/2011/02/24/panera-bread-settles-class-action-suit-alleging-stock-fraud | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In November 2010, Panera Bread relocated its headquarters to Sunset Hills while vacating its Richmond Heights headquarters and Brentwood, Missouri offices.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2010/11/19/panera-to-open-new-headquarters.html | title=Panera opens new headquarters in Sunset Hills | first=Kelsey | last=Volkmann | work=American City Business Journals | date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> The company leased additional space for its headquarters in 2013.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/2013/05/panera-expands-hq-in-sunset-hills.html | title=Panera expands HQ in Sunset Hills | first=E.B. | last=Solomont | work=American City Business Journals | date=May 21, 2013}}</ref>

=== Ordering and delivery === In May 2014, Panera unveiled "Panera 2.0", a series of integrated technologies including new capabilities for digital ordering, payment, operations, and consumption. It includes tablet kiosks with iPads, which the company calls ''Fast Lane'', where customers may place an order and pay without approaching the counter.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/ordering/kiosks-keep-their-cool | title=Kiosks Keep Their Cool: Even in a smartphone era, touch-screen kiosks give brands a fun, efficient ordering innovation | first=Bruce | last=Horovitz | work=QSR Magazine |date=April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.fastcasual.com/articles/paneras-self-service-kiosks-provide-key-to-growth/ | title=Is Panera 2.0 starting to pay off? | first=Nicole | last=Troxell | work=Fast Casual | date=February 6, 2015}}</ref> Customers can also place orders and pay via an app on their smartphone or tablet.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-05-02/more-kiosks-fewer-cashiers-coming-soon-to-panera | title=More Kiosks, Fewer Cashiers Coming Soon to Panera | first=Venessa | last=Wong | work=Bloomberg L.P. | date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> In 2017, digital orders accounted for over $1 billion in orders or 26% of sales.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/digital-orders-now-account-for-percent-of-panera-sales-company/article_20e8ecd5-3371-5dc3-903d-1fc4c0cac164.html | title=Digital orders now account for 26 percent of Panera sales, company says | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=June 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/panera-reaches-1-billion-in-digital-orders-2017-6 | title=Panera avoided Starbucks' biggest mistake and reached a $1 billion milestone | first=Kate | last=Taylor | work=Business Insider | date=June 14, 2017}}</ref>

The company introduced delivery services in May 2018, servicing 897 cities in 43 states and employing its own drivers.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/panera-delivery-goes-national-2018-5 | title=Panera almost killed its delivery test 4 years ago — now it's dominating the industry and rolling out across the US | first=Kate | last=Taylor | work=Business Insider | date=May 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/panera-why-it-isnt-using-a-delivery-partner-1525797444 | title=Panera: Why It Isn't Using a Delivery Partner | first=David | last=Marino-Nachison | work=Barron's | date=May 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/08/panera-launches-nationwide-food-delivery-service/ | title=Panera launches nationwide food delivery service | first=Sarah | last=Perez | work=TechCrunch | date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> According to the company, this created 13,000 jobs.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mikus |first1=Kim |title=Panera Bread launches delivery in some suburbs |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180508/panera-bread-launches-delivery-in-some-suburbs |work=Daily Herald|access-date=August 17, 2018 |date=May 8, 2018}}</ref>

=== Rebranding, acquisitions, and use of technology === ====2010s==== Every Paradise Bakery & Café location was rebranded in September 2015 as Panera Bread.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/prime_cuts/2015/09/more-paradise-bakeryrestaurants-changing-over-to.html | title=More Paradise Bakery restaurants changing over to Panera Bread Co. | first=Mike | last=Sunnucks | work=American City Business Journals | date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

In the fourth quarter of 2015, Panera acquired a majority stake in Tatte Bakery & Café, a bakery-cafe concept chain with locations in the Boston area,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tattebakery.com/locations/ |title=Locations |access-date=August 26, 2020 |website=Tatte Bakery & Cafe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006200240/https://tattebakery.com/locations/ |archive-date=October 6, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://boston.eater.com/2016/2/10/10958418/panera-bread-tatte-bakery-acquisition|title=Panera Bread Has Acquired a Majority Stake in Tatte Bakery [UPDATED]|last=Hatic|first=Dana|date=February 10, 2016|website=Eater Boston|language=en|access-date=February 29, 2020}}</ref> later opening in metro Washington D.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tattebakery.com/washington-dc/ |title=Metro DC |website=Tatte Bakery & Cafe |access-date=October 19, 2021 }}</ref>

On March 23, 2016, Panera opened its 2,000th location, a cafe in Elyria, Ohio.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/03/panera_breads_2000th_store_is.html | title=Panera Bread's 2,000th store opening in Elyria (photo) | first=Emily | last=Bamforth | work=The Plain Dealer | date=March 22, 2016}}</ref>

In January 2017, Panera announced its food menu was free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://fortune.com/2017/01/13/panera-menu-completely-clean/ | title=Panera Says Its Food Menu Is Now 100% 'Clean Eating' | first=John | last=Kell | work=Fortune | date=January 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name=wsj-shaich/>

JAB Holding Company acquired the company on July 11, 2017, for $7.5 billion.<ref name=wsj-shaich/>

On November 8, 2017, Panera announced that founder Ron Shaich was stepping down as CEO, and company president Blaine Hurst would take over. Shaich remained chairman.<ref>{{cite news | last=Whitten | first=Sarah | title=Panera's Ron Shaich is stepping down as CEO, but first he's repurchasing Au Bon Pain | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/08/paneras-ron-shaich-to-step-down-as-ceo-purchase-au-bon-pain.html | work=CNBC | date=November 8, 2017}}</ref> The company also announced the acquisition of Au Bon Pain.<ref name=acquire>{{cite press release | url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/11/08/1178047/0/en/Panera-Bread-Announces-Definitive-Agreement-to-Acquire-Au-Bon-Pain.html | title=Panera Bread Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Au Bon Pain | publisher=Globe Newswire | date=November 8, 2017}}</ref><ref name=wsj-shaich>{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/panera-bread-founder-ron-shaich-to-step-down-as-ceo-1510173488 | first=Julie | last=Jargon | title=Panera Bread Founder Ron Shaich to Step Down as CEO | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=November 8, 2017 | url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2017/11/08/panera-will-buy-au-bon-pain-to-gain-bigger-slice.html | title=Panera will buy Au Bon Pain to gain bigger slice of bakery-cafe market | first=David L. | last=Harris | work=American City Business Journals | date=November 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/11/08/panera-bread-buying-au-bon-pain-deal-reunites-them/845067001/ | title=What's buzzing at Panera? It's buying Au Bon Pain and the CEO is resigning | first=Zlati | last=Meyer | work=USA Today | date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

Panera divested Tatte Bakery & Café to Act III Holdings, LLC, owned by Shaich in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pelletier |first1=Jenna |date=April 29, 2019|title=Life Alive gets a makeover in the next act by Panera's Ron Shaich – The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2019/04/29/the-story-behind-life-alive-makeover-ron-shaich-next-act/OcAd3hyQtrftyE827uJieJ/story.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=BostonGlobe.com}}</ref>

In January 2018, the company formed a consulting business to help restaurants remove artificial ingredients from their menus.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2018/01/29/panera-launching-clean-consulting-business.html | title=Panera launching 'clean' consulting business | first=Angela | last=Mueller | work=American City Business Journals | date=January 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/panera-launches-clean-consultant-for-restaurants-2018-1 | title=Panera wants to help other brands clean up their menus — and it shows how the sandwich chain is doubling down on a key strategy in a new era | first=Kate | last=Taylor | work=Business Insider | date=January 29, 2018}}</ref>

On April 2, 2018, Brian Krebs reported that the Panera Bread website had leaked between 7 million and 37 million customer records— including names, email, and physical addresses, customer loyalty account numbers, birthdays, and last four digits of the customers' credit card numbers— for at least eight months before the site was taken offline. Panera was notified privately about the vulnerability in August 2017 but failed to fix it until after it was disclosed publicly eight months later.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/04/panerabread-com-leaks-millions-of-customer-records/ | title=Panerabread.com Leaks Millions of Customer Records | website=krebsonsecurity.com|author=Krebs, Brian | date=April 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2018/04/03/panera-hit-by-data-breach-report.html | title=Panera hit by data breach: Report | first=Angela | last=Mueller | work=American City Business Journals | date=April 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-panera-bread-cyber/panera-breads-website-leaks-customer-records-krebsonsecurity-idUSKCN1H91YV | title=Panera Bread's website leaks customer records: KrebsOnSecurity | first1=Nivedita | last1=Balu | first2=Arjun | last2=Panchadar | work=Reuters | date=April 2, 2018}}</ref> Panera said the leak affected fewer than 10,000 customers and had been fixed.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/04/panera-accused-security-researcher-of-scam-when-he-reported-a-major-flaw/ | title=Panera accused security researcher of "scam" when he reported a major flaw | first=JON | last=BRODKIN | work=Ars Technica | date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

====2020s==== On October 28, 2020, Panera announced they would add pizza to their menu to increase dinner options for customers.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Alexis Benveniste|title=Panera adds pizza to its menu to double down on dinner|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/28/business/panera-introducing-pizza-trnd/index.html|access-date=October 28, 2020 |website=CNN|date=October 28, 2020 }}</ref>

Panera announced on August 25, 2021, that it had merged with Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels to form Panera Brands.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ruddy |first1=Edward |title=Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels Unite as Panera Brands, Creating a Best-in-Class, Market Leading Fast Casual Platform |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210805005536/en/Panera-Bread-Caribou-Coffee-and-Einstein-Bros.-Bagels-Unite-as-Panera-Brands-Creating-a-Best-in-Class-Market-Leading-Fast-Casual-Platform |access-date=9 November 2021 |work=www.businesswire.com |date=5 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2022, the company announced that it was testing the use of artificial intelligence in its drive-thru lanes via two locations in upstate New York. It used OpenCity's voice ordering technology, Tori. At the time of the announcement, roughly 45% of the chain's locations had drive-thru lanes. In making this move, the firm was joining other firms in the restaurant industry, like McDonald's, Burger King, and Taco Bell, and it came on top of other uses of artificial intelligence at the chain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |title=Panera Bread tests artificial intelligence technology in drive-thru lanes |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/29/panera-bread-tests-artificial-intelligence-technology-in-drive-thru-lanes.html |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=CNBC |date=August 29, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2022, Panera announced that legacy St. Louis Bread Co. locations outside St. Louis City and St. Louis County would be rebranded as Panera when remodeled, with locations in the inner core of the metro retaining the Bread Co. name.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-07 |title=Bye bye, Bread Co. {{!}} St. Louis-based café chain announces Panera rebrand for some locations |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/saint-louis-bread-company-bakery-cafe-chain-panera-bread-name-change/63-23239682-eb5f-4b52-954f-ea5b14c16ccd |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=ksdk.com |language=en-US}}</ref> One location in St. Louis County is named Panera as it is a prototype of the "Next Gen" restaurant design.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-18 |title=Why Panera isn't using 'St. Louis Bread Co.' to name new location |url=https://fox2now.com/news/why-panera-isnt-using-st-louis-bread-co-to-name-new-location/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |work=KTVI |language=en-US}}</ref>

In mid-2023, Panera moved its headquarters from Sunset Hills to Fenton, Missouri, downsizing the square footage by more than half.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gloria |last=Lloyd |date=June 8, 2022 |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/panera-to-move-headquarters-sunset-hills-to-fenton/63-d4e09e3e-50d1-4f5c-9775-f0e5fdd236eb |title=Panera plans to move headquarters from Sunset Hills to Fenton |website=KSDK |access-date=April 16, 2025}}</ref> The move preceded two rounds of corporate layoffs in late 2023 and 2024.<ref>{{cite news |first=Joanna |last=Fantozzi |date=October 1, 2024 |url=https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/panera-bread-goes-through-a-second-round-of-corporate-layoffs |title=Panera Bread goes through a second round of corporate layoffs |website=Nation's Restaurant News |access-date=April 16, 2025}}</ref>

In December 2023, it was learned that Panera Bread confidentially filed to go public again. The company was last publicly traded in 2017 before being acquired by JAB Holding for $7.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/01/panera-bread-ipo-filing.html|title=Panera Bread files to go public again through IPO|first=Amelia Lucas, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Leslie|last=Picker|date=December 1, 2023|website=CNBC}}</ref>

In April 2024, Panera launched a major menu overhaul marketed as the "New Era at Panera," which the company described as the most significant menu transformation in its history.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=February 29, 2024 |title=Panera Bread overhauls menu to refocus on soups, salads and sandwiches |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/29/panera-bread-overhauls-menu-to-refocus-on-soups-salads-and-sandwiches.html |work=CNBC |access-date=December 6, 2025}}</ref> The update involved discontinuing categories such as flatbread pizzas and grain bowls to refocus on core offerings like soups, salads, and sandwiches. The change introduced over 20 new or enhanced items with larger portions and lower price points in a strategic effort to improve value and increase customer traffic.<ref>{{cite news |last=Valinsky |first=Jordan |date=February 29, 2024 |title=Panera is making its biggest menu change ever |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/29/food/panera-menu-overhaul/index.html |work=CNN Business |access-date=December 6, 2025}}</ref>

On February 14, 2025, Ken Rosenthal, the founder of St. Louis Bread Company, died at age 81 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.<ref name="NYTsandomir" />

In March 2025, the company named Paul Carbone its new CEO.<ref name="wsjcarbone">{{Cite news |title=Panera Bread Names Paul Carbone Permanent CEO |url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-nasdaq-sp500-03-25-2025/card/exclusive-panera-bread-names-paul-carbone-permanent-ceo-9NAf344L5FxyntTRbW2g |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=WSJ |language=en-US |first=Heather |last=Haddon |date=March 26, 2025}}</ref>

In July 2025, it was announced that the company was continuing a move begun in 2024 to a "par-baked" model for its restaurants, closing down existing dough-making facilities, and laying off employees. This model has restaurants receive partially-baked ("Par-baked") frozen bread which is finished in the store instead of freshly baked every day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/07/25/panera-bread-layoffs-frozen-dough-shift/85372741007/ |title=Panera Bread to lay off hundreds as it ends fresh dough production nationwide |date=July 25, 2025 |newspaper=USA Today |first=Ahmed |last=Jawadi |access-date=July 28, 2025}}</ref> The company has also been reportedly rolling back their "clean food guidelines" which previously advocated for stances against antibiotics and hormones, and for animal welfare.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nrn.com/food-trends/panera-bread-has-shut-down-three-more-fresh-dough-manufacturing-facilities |title=Panera Bread has shut down three more fresh dough manufacturing facilities |date=June 4, 2024 |newspaper=Nation's Restaurant News |first=Joanna |last=Fantozzi |access-date=July 28, 2025}}</ref>

==Social responsibility==

=== Panera Cares: non-profit restaurants === In 2010, the company's nonprofit foundation created Panera Cares, a "Pay what you can", pay it forward (PIF), and traditional charitable behavior<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eckhardt |first1=Giana M. |last2=Dobscha |first2=Susan |date=2019-10-01 |title=The Consumer Experience of Responsibilization: The Case of Panera Cares |journal=Journal of Business Ethics |language=en |volume=159 |issue=3 |pages=651–663 |doi=10.1007/s10551-018-3795-4 |s2cid=254384170 |issn=1573-0697|doi-access=free }}</ref> restaurant in its home market of St. Louis.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40582757/why-paneras-experiment-with-pay-what-you-want-dining-failed | title=Panera: Pay what you can afford | first=Adele | last=Peters | work=Fast Company | date=June 8, 2018}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted (Special:Diff/902371559) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at Special:Permalink/896810019 cite #53 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref> CEO Ron Shaich based the idea on an NBC profile of the SAME Cafe in Denver, Colorado.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2010/05/17/daily21.html | title=Panera: Pay what you can afford | work=American City Business Journals | date=May 18, 2010}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted (Special:Diff/902371559) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at Special:Permalink/896810019 cite #54 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref> It later expanded the concept to Dearborn, Michigan; Portland, Oregon; Chicago; and Boston.<ref>{{cite news | title=Panera café in Lakeview allows patrons to pay what they want | url=https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/panera-cafe-in-lakeview-allows-patrons-to-pay-what-they-want/67cfb5c3-48df-4749-a289-e7384b3097eb | first=Niala | last=Boodhoo | work=WBEZ | date=June 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.boston.com/news/business/2012/12/24/panera-cares-cafe-in-boston-will-let-you-pay-full-price-more-than-that-or-less-if-you-cant-afford-the-food/ |title=Panera Cares café in Boston let you pay full price, more than that, or less if you can't afford the food | last=Abelson | first=Jenn | work=The Boston Globe | date=December 24, 2012}}</ref> Several of their sites served 3,500 customers weekly.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/hunger_at_home/panera-cares-restaurants-tackle-hunger-pay-plan/story?id=15029887 | title=Panera Cares, Other Eateries Tackle Hunger With 'Pay-What-You-Can' Plan | first=David | last=Muir | work=ABC News | date=November 25, 2011 }}</ref> The Panera Cares in Chicago shut down at the end of January 2015.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150131/lakeview/lakeviews-panera-cares-close-saturday-afternoon/ | title='Pay What You Can' Panera in Lakeview Closes for Good | first=Alex | last=Parker | work=DNAinfo | date=January 31, 2015 | access-date=October 30, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170554/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150131/lakeview/lakeviews-panera-cares-close-saturday-afternoon/ | archive-date=October 30, 2018 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted (Special:Diff/902371559) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at Special:Permalink/896810019 cite #60 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref> The Panera Cares in Portland, Oregon shut down at the end of June 2016. The original location near St. Louis closed in January 2018.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-panera-cares-closes-20180104-story.html | title=Panera Bread pay-what-you-want cafe near St. Louis to close | agency=Associated Press | publisher=Chicago Tribune | date=January 4, 2018}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted (Special:Diff/902371559) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at Special:Permalink/896810019 cite #61 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref> The last location in Boston closed on February 15, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/Panera-to-Close-Last-of-Its-Pay-What-You-Can-Cafes-505824641.html|title=Panera to Close Last of Its Pay-What-You-Can Cafes|website=NBC10 Boston|date=February 14, 2019 |language=en|access-date=February 14, 2019}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted (Special:Diff/902371559) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at Special:Permalink/896810019 cite #62 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://paneracares.org/locations/ | title=PaneraCares café locations | access-date=July 8, 2016 | archive-date=July 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703014941/http://paneracares.org/locations/ | url-status=dead }} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted (Special:Diff/902371559) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at Special:Permalink/896810019 cite #63 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref>

=== Caged and cage-free eggs === On November 5, 2015, Panera pledged that it would use only cage-free eggs in all of its stores by 2020.<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Panera to Use All Cage-Free Eggs by 2020 |url=https://time.com/4101884/panera-cage-free-eggs/ | magazine=Time magazine | last=Ross | first=Ashley | date=November 5, 2015}}</ref> Panera also announced the addition of more plant-based proteins, such as edamame and organic quinoa, to its menu. At the time of the announcement, the company said it was 21% cage-free in the roughly 70 million eggs it used in 2015.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/11/05/783985/0/en/Panera-Bread-Shares-Animal-Welfare-Progress-and-Makes-New-Cage-Free-Commitment.html | title=Panera Bread® Shares Animal Welfare Progress and Makes New Cage-Free Commitment | publisher=Globe Newswire | date=November 5, 2015}}</ref> In December 2016, it published its third animal welfare progress report, announcing new efforts to improve broiler chicken welfare.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/12/20/899115/0/en/Panera-Bread-Broadens-Leadership-on-Animal-Welfare-Issues.html | title=Panera Bread® Broadens Leadership on Animal Welfare Issues | publisher=Globe Newswire | date=December 20, 2016}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted (Special:Diff/902371559) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at Special:Permalink/896810019 cite #66 – please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}</ref> In 2021, Panera announced that it had transitioned to cage-free eggs for 65% of its egg supply but not yet the remaining 35%.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Responsibility Report |url=https://www.panerabread.com/content/dam/panerabread/integrated-web-content/documents/press/2020/panera-bread-csr-2020.pdf#page=18 |access-date=8 September 2022 |page=18}}</ref>

=== Panera Bread on climate change === Panera Bread includes a "Cool Food" pledge in its campaign to "curb global warming".<ref name="choices">{{Cite journal |last1=Wolfson |first1=Julia A. |last2=Musicus |first2=Aviva A. |last3=Leung |first3=Cindy W. |last4=Gearhardt |first4=Ashley N. |last5=Falbe |first5=Jennifer |date=2022-12-27 |title=Effect of Climate Change Impact Menu Labels on Fast Food Ordering Choices Among US Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial |journal=JAMA Network Open |language=en |volume=5 |issue=12 |pages=e2248320 |doi=10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.48320 |pmid=36574248 |s2cid=255213000 |issn=2574-3805|pmc=9857560 }}</ref> Panera Bread provides American consumers with dietary guidelines to help them change their eating patterns to help reduce carbon emissions. Through the Cool Foods pledge, the company uses traffic lights for different healthy and unhealthy foods. Foods labeled "green" are branded healthy, while those labeled "yellow" are warned to be consumed in moderation. In 2015, Panera Bread also announced its policy against the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), making it the first food chain in the country to question the safety and environmental friendliness of these foods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Moses |first=Vivian |date=2015-01-02 |title=GM crops in the media |journal=GM Crops & Food |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1080/21645698.2015.1017424 |pmid=25679325 |s2cid=34224927 |issn=2164-5698|pmc=5033192 }}</ref>

=== Community giving === The Day-End Dough-Nation program provides unsold bread and baked goods to local area hunger relief agencies and charities. Panera Bread bakery-cafés donate $100 million worth of unsold bread and baked goods annually to local organizations.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/06/29/1031717/0/en/Panera-Bread-Issues-2016-Responsibility-Report.html | title=Panera Bread® Issues 2016 Responsibility Report | publisher=Globe Newswire | date=June 29, 2017}}</ref> Panera also supports events held by non-profit organizations serving those in need by donating a certificate or fresh bakery products.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/en_us/community/community-giving.html | title=Community Giving | publisher=Panera Bread | access-date=October 30, 2018 | archive-date=July 4, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704040750/https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/en_us/community/community-giving.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Controversies and lawsuits ==

=== Animal welfare issues and lawsuit === Panera Bread has been the subject of increased scrutiny regarding its animal welfare policies, particularly its sourcing of pork, dairy, and seafood. According to Reuters, internal documents revealed that the company has loosened its ingredient standards, allowing the use of some antibiotics in pork and turkey and permitting animal byproducts in cattle and chicken feed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Exclusive: Panera loosens ingredients standards ahead of IPO, internal documents show |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/panera-loosens-animal-welfare-ingredients-standards-ahead-ipo-internal-documents-2024-03-06/ |website=Reuters}}</ref> Drawing on that report, a 2026 lawsuit by a food safety and animal welfare nonprofit alleged that Panera had misled customers about its animal welfare practices. The lawsuit claimed that Panera had marketed itself for its humane practices, including sourcing chicken from suppliers that provide sufficient living space for livestock, but that none of the chickens in its supply chain came from suppliers who met the standard.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cunningham |first=Waylon |date=March 26, 2026 |title=Food safety nonprofit's lawsuit claims Panera Bread misled consumers, citing Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/food-safety-nonprofits-lawsuit-claims-panera-bread-misled-consumers-citing-2026-03-26/ |access-date=April 7, 2026}}</ref>

===Violation of California Labor Code=== In 2009 and 2011, class-action lawsuits were filed by former workers, alleging that the company violated the California Labor Code, failed to pay overtime, failed to provide meal and rest periods, failed to pay employees upon termination, and violated California's Unfair Competition Law. Panera paid $5 million to settle all claims and denied any wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2011/11/21/panera-to-pay-5-million-settlement.html|title=Panera to pay $5 million settlement|last=Volkmann|first=Kelsey|date=November 21, 2011|work=American City Business Journals}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/287732/panera-to-pay-5m-to-settle-calif-wage-class-actions|title=Panera To Pay $5M To Settle Calif. Wage Class Actions|last=Goldberg|first=Keith|date=November 21, 2011|work=Law360}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

===Racial discrimination allegation (2011)=== In 2011, a former employee filed a racial discrimination lawsuit alleging that he was fired after repeatedly having a Black man work the cash register instead of putting him in a less visible location, and assigning "pretty young girls" as the cashiers, as requested by supervisors.<ref name="Mirando">{{cite news|url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/employment-labor/1570-panera-bread-racial-discrimination-class-action/|title=Panera Bread Racial Discrimination Lawsuit|last=Mirando|first=Kimberly|date=November 21, 2011|website=Top Class Actions}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-panera-should-settle-lawsuit-charging-racism/|title=Why Panera should settle lawsuit charging racism|last=LUCAS|first=SUZANNE|date=November 9, 2011|work=CBS News}}</ref> The plaintiff also said he was fired after requesting another month off after returning from three months of sick leave.<ref name=Mirando/> Panera said that it "does not discriminate based on national origin, race or sex" and that the plaintiff "was terminated because he had used all of his medical leave and was unable to return to work".<ref name=Mirando/> The plaintiff worked in a store owned by franchisee Sam Covelli,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wtae.com/article/fired-panera-bread-manager-they-wanted-pretty-young-girls/7454361|title=Fired Panera Bread Manager: They Wanted 'Pretty Young Girls|date=November 3, 2011|work=WTAE-TV}}</ref> who also owns the stores that were involved in the 2003 racial discrimination lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.covelli.com/panera-bread-locations/|title=Our locations|website=Covelli Enterprises}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://thetartan.org/2011/12/5/forum/panera|title=Panera Bread's racist, sexist practices warrant boycott|last=Walsh|first=Anna|date=December 5, 2011|work=The Tartan|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208002759/http://thetartan.org/2011/12/5/forum/panera|archive-date=February 8, 2012}}</ref> Covelli Enterprises is the single largest franchisee of Panera Bread with nearly 300 stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wifi.covelli.com/panera/about/|title=About Us|website=Covelli Enterprises|access-date=October 30, 2018|archive-date=October 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152350/https://wifi.covelli.com/panera/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The lawsuit was settled in June 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wtae.com/article/former-panera-bread-manager-s-racial-retaliation-case-settled-1/7456906|title=Former Panera Bread manager's racial retaliation case settled|date=June 6, 2012|work=WTAE-TV}}</ref>

=== Peanut butter allergy === In 2016, a lawsuit was filed after an employee at a Natick, Massachusetts, store put peanut butter on a sandwich, despite being informed that the person receiving the sandwich had a peanut allergy. The plaintiffs charged the company and those employees involved with intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress, as well as assault and battery.<ref name="peanut">{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/06/05/family-allergic-child-sues-panera-for-putting-peanut-butter-grilled-cheese-sandwich/ugk2bWDfWSui6f8wSFimdO/story.html|title=Family of allergic child sues Panera for putting peanut butter in grilled cheese sandwich|last=Swidey|first=Neil|date=June 6, 2016|work=The Boston Globe}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The recipient of the sandwich was hospitalized briefly.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2016/06/06/family-sues-panera-peanut-butter-inside-grilled-cheese-sandwich-hospitalization/85487818/|title=Family sues Panera over peanut butter in allergic daughter's sandwich|last=Bowerman|first=Mary|date=June 6, 2016|work=USA Today}}</ref>

===Class action for failure to pay overtime wages (2017)=== In December 2017, former employees filed a class action lawsuit against the company, claiming they were not paid overtime wages.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2017/12/04/former-dc-panera-employee-files-classaction.html|title=Former D.C. Panera employee files class-action overtime suit|last=Cooper|first=Rebecca|date=December 4, 2017|work=American City Business Journals}}</ref>

=== ''Tabler v. Panera LLC et al'' === In March 2019, Plaintiff Brianna Tabler in California filed a class-action lawsuit, accusing Panera of false advertising and fraud. While Panera's former CEO Ron Schaich claimed that Panera's menus continue to be completely void of artificial flavors, sweeteners, and ingredients,<ref name=biclean>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/r-panera-debuts-service-to-help-restaurants-clean-up-their-menus-2018-1 |title=Panera debuts service to help restaurants 'clean up' their menus |date=January 29, 2018 |first=Lisa |last=Baertlein |newspaper=Business Insider |access-date=June 19, 2019 |agency=Reuters }}</ref> Tabler argues against the company's intentional redaction of the fact that their products contain traces of the synthetic biocide glyphosate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manatt.com/Manatt/media/Documents/Articles/Tabler-v-Panera-LLC.PDF |website=Manatt |date=March 29, 2019 |title=Tabler v. Panera Compaint and Demand for Jury Trial |access-date=June 19, 2019 }}</ref> In October 2019, Judge Lucy Koh granted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Tabler filed an amended complaint in November 2019, to which Panera filed in January 2020 another motion to dismiss.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/27672348/Tabler_v_Panera_LLC_et_al |title=Docket, Tabler v. Panera LLC et al |access-date=March 24, 2020 |website=PacerMonitor |date=March 23, 2020 }}</ref> Tabler filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss the complaint on July 30, 2020, closing the case.<ref name="VolDismissal">{{Cite Pacer | plaintiff = Tabler | defendant = Panera LLC et al | title = NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Brianna Tabler | date = March 29, 2019 | case-division = 5 | case-year = 19 | case-type = cv | case-sequence = 01646-LHK | case-state = CA | case-district = nd | doc-number = 59 | pacer-number = 196200603477673-L_1_0-1 | recap-number = 340174 | access-date = April 17, 2022 }}</ref>

=== Charged Lemonade lawsuits === On September 10, 2022, 21-year-old Sarah Katz, a student at the University of Pennsylvania, purchased and consumed a "supercharged" lemonade drink from a Panera location in Philadelphia. Allegedly, Katz was unaware of the high caffeine content of the drinks, which has been criticized as extremely dangerous; a {{convert|20|USoz|adj=on}} Panera Charged Lemonade contained 260 mg of caffeine, equivalent to four espresso shots, and the 30-ounce (890 mL) lemonade contained 390 mg (six espressos).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/12/06/panera-caffeine-lawsuits-deaths-risks/|newspaper=Washington Post|date=6 December 2023|title=Super-charged caffeine drinks are popular. How much caffeine is too much?|first=Kelly|last=Kasulis Cho}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Biron |first=Bethany |title=Panera's Charged Lemonade dubbed 'crack in a cup' in viral TikTok warning of caffeine content |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/panera-caffeine-charged-lemonade-crack-viral-tiktoks-2022-12 |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Demopoulos |first=Alaina |date=2023-10-25 |title=Charged Lemonade, 'natural caffeine': the 'dangerous' branding of energy drinks must change, experts say |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/25/panera-bread-lemonade-caffeine-energy-drinks |access-date=2023-10-26 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Katz suffered from Long QT Type 1 Syndrome, a heart condition that can result in an irregular heartbeat in certain situations. On the same day, Katz went into cardiac arrest while at another restaurant and was transported to the Pennsylvania Presbyterian Hospital, where she suffered another arrest and was then pronounced dead.<ref name="KvP" />

In October 2023, Katz's parents sued Panera for the wrongful death of their daughter caused by misleading labeling and description of the drink.<ref name="KvP">Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, ''[https://static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2023/10/panera-wrongful-death-lawsuit.pdf Katz v. Panera LLC]''. Retrieved 26 October 2023.</ref> Later in October, amid reports that dispensers had been moved behind the counter to limit access, Panera changed labeling for the drink, noting its caffeine content and need for moderation, and warning potentially sensitive consumers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/29/panera-bread-charged-lemonade-student-death |title=Panera adds warnings about caffeinated lemonade after suit over student's death |date=October 29, 2023 |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Nina |last=Lakhani |access-date=November 4, 2023 }}</ref>

In December 2023, a second individual was reported as having died after consuming Panera's Charged Lemonade. The individual, Dennis Brown, died at age 46 after reportedly consuming three servings of Charged Lemonade at a Panera location in Fleming Island, Florida. Brown had high blood pressure, a developmental delay, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a chromosomal disorder that caused a mild intellectual disability and blurry vision, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by family members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/05/us/panera-charged-lemonade-death.html|title=Panera Bread's Charged Lemonade Linked to Second Death in Lawsuit|date=December 5, 2023|work=The New York Times|last=Holpuch|first=Amanda}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/panera-breads-charged-lemonade-blamed-second-death-lawsuit-alleges-rcna128036|title=Panera Bread's Charged Lemonade blamed for a second death, lawsuit alleges|work=NBC News|date=December 5, 2023|last=Chuck|first=Elizabeth}}</ref> Social media commentators began to nickname the drink "the lemonade that kills you".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/12/panera-charged-lemonade-that-kills-you-lawsuit-facts.html|title=Panera's 'Lemonade That Kills You' Is Really a Story About Our Broken Country|first=Mark Joseph| author-link = Mark Joseph Stern | last = Stern |magazine=Slate |date=December 8, 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.themarysue.com/what-happens-if-you-drink-a-panera-charged-lemonade-answered/|title=I Had the Panera 'Lemonade That Kills You.' Here's What Happened.|first=Ana|last=Valens|date=December 13, 2023}}</ref>

The caffeine content was later reduced by Panera in December 2023, with the 30-ounce drink reduced to 237 mg and the 20-ounce to 158 mg.<ref name="auto"/> In May 2024, the company announced they would begin phasing out the drink.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chuck |first1=Elizabeth |title=Panera says it's phasing out its controversial Charged Lemonade nationwide |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna151058 |work=NBC News |access-date=May 7, 2024 |date=May 7, 2024}}</ref>

===Delivery costs=== In February 2024, Panera settled a class-action lawsuit for $2 million, which accused the company a year beforehand of misleading customers from 2020 to 2021 about its costs for delivery orders. Panera did not admit fault in the settlement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/panera-class-action-settlement-rcna142044 |title=Panera agrees to $2 million settlement for class action lawsuit: How to see if you're owed money |date=March 6, 2024 |work=Today |first=Joseph |last=Lamour |access-date=March 25, 2024}}</ref>

===2026 Data breach and class action===

On January 28, 2026, Panera Bread was hit by a cyber attack, along with other companies including Bumble and Match. The company revealed that contact information was the data involved.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bumble, Match, Panera Bread and CrunchBase hit by cyberattacks, Bloomberg News reports |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/bumble-match-panera-bread-and-crunchbase-hit-cyberattacks-bloomberg-news-reports-5892521 |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=CNA |language=en|agency=Reuters|date=28 January 2026|last=}}</ref> Later reporting noted that the aggressor was ShinyHunters, that they stole information on around 5 million people (14 million records), and subsequently leaked this information to the dark web.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fadilpašić |first=Sead |date=3 February 2026 |title=Panera Bread data breach much more serious than we thought – over 5 million customers were hit, new reports claim |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/panera-bread-data-breach-much-more-serious-than-we-thought-over-5-million-customers-were-hit-new-reports-claim |access-date=8 February 2026 |website=TechRadar Pro}}</ref> Two class action lawsuits were filed against the company shortly after, citing Panera Bread's failure to properly secure the personal information that was stolen.<ref>{{cite web |last= |date=6 February 2026 |title=Panera Bread hit with two class action lawsuits over data breach |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/panera-bread-hit-with-two-class-action-lawsuits-over-data-breach/ |access-date=8 February 2026 |website=Top Class Actions |publication-place=Phoenix, Arizona, United States}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|https://www.panerabread.com/}}

Category:1987 establishments in Missouri Category:2017 mergers and acquisitions Category:Restaurants established in 1987 Category:American companies established in 1987 Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies Category:Bakeries of the United States Category:Bakery cafés Category:Companies based in St. Louis County, Missouri Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq Category:Culture of St. Louis Category:Fast-food chains of the United States Category:Fast-food franchises Category:Fast casual restaurants