Panera announced Thursday its biggest menu transformation in company history, comprising more than 20 updates bringing new and upgraded flavors into the kitchen.
These changes, hitting stores on April 4, center around the fast casual’s core offerings—soup, salads, sandwiches, and mac and cheese. The latest menu is not only easier to navigate, but also showcases items with bigger portions of proteins and lower price points. For instance, newcomers like the Tomato Basil BLT, Ranch Cobb Salad, and Mediterranean Greens with Grains will be under $10.
Twelve classic menu items, such as the Bravo Club Sandwich, Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt, and Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, underwent recipe enhancements.
“We are getting back to Panera at its best with these menu updates that are centered completely on our guests and what they love about us,” Alicia Mowder, SVP of product strategy and Insights, said in a statement. “We’ve listened to thousands of guests on our path to unveiling more than 20 new or enhanced menu items and are thrilled to bring these products to Panera bakery-cafes nationwide.”
Below is a list of the nine new menu products headed to Panera this spring:
- Sandwiches:
- Toasted Italiano—Black Forest ham, soppressata and provolone, romaine, red onion, sliced pepperoncini peppers, garlic aioli, and Greek dressing on Panera’s toasted French Baguette
- Chicken Bacon Rancher—Grilled chicken, applewood smoked bacon, aged white cheddar, and ranch dressing on Black Pepper Focaccia
- Ciabatta Cheesesteak—Tender marinated sliced steak, provolone, garlic aioli, caramelized onions, and zesty sweet Peppadew peppers on Ciabatta
- Tomato Basil BLT—Applewood smoked bacon, crisp mixed greens, vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic aioli, salt and pepper on Tomato Basil Miche
- Salads:
- Mediterranean Chicken Greens with Grains—Romaine and crisp mixed greens tossed in Greek dressing, topped with hearty whole grain blend of farro and red rice, grilled chicken, hummus, feta, red onions, zesty sweet Peppadew peppers, sliced cucumbers, and a sprinkle of Panera’s Mediterranean shawarma seasoning
- Southwest Chicken Ranch—Romaine tossed in ranch dressing, with grilled chicken and drizzled with chipotle aioli, topped with fresh avocado, grape tomatoes, fire-grilled corn, fresh cilantro, and blue corn tortilla strips
- Balsamic Chicken Greens with Grains—Romaine and crisp mixed greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette, with hearty whole grain blend of farro and red rice, sliced cucumbers, topped with sliced pepperoncini peppers, fresh avocado, feta, pumpkin seeds, and a drizzle of Green Goddess dressing
- Ranch Cobb Salad—Romaine and crisp mixed greens tossed in ranch dressing, topped with grape tomatoes, pickled red onions, applewood smoked bacon, feta, and a hard-boiled egg
- Mac and Cheese
- Bacon Mac & Cheese—Tender shell pasta in a blend of rich cheeses, including tangy aged white cheddar sauce, topped with applewood smoked bacon
Panera expects the addition of these new food products to streamline and simplify operations for back-of-house employees.
Throughout March, the brand will share more information on the updates, and MyPanera members will get exclusive sneak peeks ahead of the April launch.
“Panera’s New Era is incredibly exciting, not only for our guests, but also our associates, who will be able to renew their focus on our core menu and serve our guests more efficiently with enhanced portions and better value,” COO Debbie Roberts said in a statement. “We are eager to get back to our roots within these core categories and unveil these delicious new menu innovations, all while providing an exceptional guest experience.”
Panera plans to go public sometime this year as part of Panera Brands, a fast-casual platform also featuring Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros Bagels. Jose Alberto Dueñas, formerly at the helm of Einstein Bros, took over the CEO position in 2023. Former Krispy Kreme CEO Michael Tattersfield became chairman at the beginning of 2024.
