Overview
- Panera formally introduced its Panera RISE strategy on Nov. 18, built on four pillars to refresh the menu, sharpen value, elevate service and expand the bakery-café network.
- Food quality moves include a return to romaine-only salads, larger portions and more salad ingredients, with sliced cherry tomatoes and avocados slated to roll out early next year.
- New beverages are in a 12‑week test through Jan. 6 across about 65 cafés, featuring caffeine‑free Frescas and caffeinated Energy Refreshers prepared by baristas in select markets.
- The company plans to add front‑of‑house labor, upgrade decade‑old self‑order kiosks and modernize dining rooms, alongside building new locations and updating existing cafés.
- Facing a 5% sales drop to $6.1 billion last year, Panera targets roughly $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028, has settled Charged Lemonade lawsuits and ended that drink, and continues closing fresh‑dough facilities with further shutdowns planned within two years.