ST. LOUIS – September 18, 2024 – Fall is here and that can only mean one thing – the start of soup season. Panera, known for its iconic soups including favorites like Broccoli Cheddar and Creamy Tomato, is thrilled to make this soup season the coziest yet with a delicious lineup of three new and returning favorites. Starting today, guests can savor the comforting flavors of Autumn Squash Soup, a beloved seasonal staple, alongside two new warm and flavorful additions, Hearty Fireside Chili and Rustic Baked Potato Soup.

New Fall Flavors

·       Hearty Fireside Chili – This hearty chili is packed with a rich and savory blend beef, kidney beans, fire roasted tomatoes and green chili peppers, simmered in a broth flavored with a blend of chilis, and cilantro.

·       Rustic Baked Potato Soup – Creamy, cheesy and satisfying, this soup features the classic flavors of a baked potato. Homestyle cuts of potatoes with bacon, chives and seasoning are simmered in a creamy Monterey Jack cheese sauce and topped with melty asiago cheese.

·       Plus, returning Autumn Squash Soup – A seasonal favorite, this soup features a rich blend of butternut squash and pumpkin simmered in vegetable broth with honey, apple juice, cinnamon, and a hint of curry—finished with sweet cream and topped with roasted, salted pumpkin seeds.

In addition to the new fall lineup, Panera, an authority in all things soup, offers a portfolio of comforting and classic soups sure to warm guests up this season. Classics like Broccoli Cheddar, Creamy Tomato, Homestyle Chicken Noodle, Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice and Bistro French Onion offer a range of flavor profiles perfect on their own or paired with a salad or sandwich.

“When it’s soup season, it’s peak Panera season, and we’re excited to celebrate by adding even more flavor and variety into our iconic lineup of soups, including hearty new offerings and seasonal favorites we know our guests love coming back for,” said Mark Shambura, Chief Marketing Officer, Panera Bread. “Whether you are craving a hearty soup or satisfying sandwich, Panera has options for the whole family to feel good about eating, all at a great value.”

New Kids Menu Offers Great Value

As the school year begins, Panera is also excited to announce a new and updated kid’s menu, now offering double portions on select items, bringing more value for families and delicious options thoughtfully crafted for its youngest fans. Menu options include:

·       Double the portion kid’s sandwiches, including:

- Whole Sized Grilled Cheese – sliced American cheese grilled on thick-sliced Classic White Miche.

- NEW Kids Turkey & Cheese Sandwich - Oven-roasted turkey breast and American cheese on thick-sliced Classic White Miche.

- NEW Kids Ham & Cheese Sandwich - Black Forest ham and American cheese on our thick-sliced Classic White Miche.

- Craveable Panera favorites including Mac & Cheese and Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

·       As with every Panera meal, kids will have the choice of a side between apple, French baguette or chips. Plus, at participating locations, add and enjoy a beverage for only $0.89 (price varies by location).*

Want another great reason to visit Panera? The brand is currently offering its most valuable Unlimited Sip Club deal yet. New monthly subscribers who sign up through October 31 will get 3 FREE MONTHS of endless refreshing drinks!**

In April, Panera began its largest menu transformation ever, and throughout the year the brand has refocused on innovating and enhancing core Panera items while giving guests the right combination of taste, quality and value. Filled with new and enhanced offerings including bakery items, breakfast, soups, sandwiches and salads, Panera’s New Era menu offers guests better value through enhanced portions and lower price points.

For more information or to place your order today, download the Panera Bread app or visit PaneraBread.com.

About Panera Bread

Our first bakery-cafe opened in 1987, founded with a secret sourdough starter and the belief that the best part of bread is sharing it. That vision led to the invention of the Fast Casual category with Panera at the forefront, serving as America’s kitchen table centered around our delicious menu of chef-curated recipes that are crafted with care by our team members. We make food that we are proud to serve our own families, from crave-worthy soups, salads and sandwiches to mac and cheese and sweets. Each recipe is filled with ingredients we feel good about and none of those we don’t because we are committed to serving our guests food that feels good in the moment and long after. While our company is now nearly 2,200 bakery-cafes strong, our values and belief in the lasting power of a great meal remain as strong as ever. We spend each day filling bellies, building empowered teams and inspiring communities. Nothing beats breaking bread together.

As of August 27, 2024 there were 2,172 bakery-cafes, company and franchise, in 48 states and Washington D.C., and in Ontario, Canada, operating under the Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co.® names. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast casual restaurant companies in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels. For more information, visit panerabread.com or find us on Twitter (@panerabread), Facebook (facebook.com/panerabread) Instagram (@panerabread) or TikTok (@panerabread).

Media Contact

Panera PR

press@panerabread.com

*Includes regular sized fountain and bubbler beverages, milk, chocolate milk, apple and orange juices, select bottled water. All others excluded. Pricing and selection vary by cafe.  

**3MONTHSFREE: Offer valid only for a new subscriber, which is a person that has never had an Unlimited Sip Club subscription through any name, email address, address, or phone number, that signs up for a monthly Unlimited Sip Club subscription through 11:59 p.m. CST October 31, 2024 will receive their first three months of an Unlimited Sip Club monthly subscription for free. Offer will be revoked if Panera determines, in its sole discretion, that person has ever had an Unlimited Sip Club subscription for any amount of time. Offer may expire without notice due to error, fraud, computer error, electronic or technical malfunctions, or other unforeseen circumstances. Other restrictions may apply.  UNLIMITED SIP CLUB TERMS: Unlimited Sip Club subscription is available for registration and redemption in participating U.S. Panera Bread bakery-cafes. Must be MyPanera member and at least 18 years of age to register. Registration available online only (including in-cafe kiosk). You may cancel at any time. If you do not cancel either before your renewal date or the expiration of any promotional or trial subscription offer, your stored payment method will automatically be charged $14.99 plus tax for a monthly subscription and will be charged on a recurring monthly basis every 30 days thereafter. To cancel subscription online, visit Manage Subscription section at www.panerabread.com/UnlimitedSipClub or on the Panera Bread app. Subscription provides eligible subscribers the following subscription benefits: drip hot coffee, iced coffee, hot tea, fountain soda beverages, and bubbler drinks (e.g., iced teas, lemonades, and other bubbler beverages) once every two hours during normal bakery-cafe business hours, including unlimited refills. Beverages may vary by location and time of day. Excludes all other beverages, including, without limitation, packaged beverages, smoothies, frozen blended drinks, hot chocolate, cold brew iced coffee, and espresso and cappuccino beverages. Customizations, including, without limitation, added espresso and syrups (e.g., vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, and caramel) are not included in subscription monthly or annual price. Upcharges apply. Other additions (e.g., milk, skim milk, almond milk, half & half, and sweeteners) are included in monthly or annual subscription price, but availability may vary by location and time of day. Limit one subscription per person. Excludes catering orders and orders placed on third-party delivery sites. Panera reserves the right in its sole discretion to offer additional or different subscription benefits to members based on geographic location, home bakery-cafe, program participation, period of recurring subscription, or other criteria. Other restrictions may apply. Visit here for complete terms: https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/mypanera/subscription/terms-and-conditions.html.