Panera

Panera is a bakery-café fast-casual restaurant chain that operates primarily in the United States and Canada. The menu centers on soups, salads, sandwiches, bowls, bakery items, and beverages, with an emphasis on bakery-style bread and a cafe atmosphere. The concept blends quick-service availability with a sit-down feel and options for dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering.

Panera’s origins trace to 1981, when Saint Louis Bread Co. opened in Clayton, Missouri, founded by Ken Rosenthal and Ron Shaich. In 1997 the chain adopted the Panera Bread name after expanding regionally and rebranding to reflect a broader bakery-café concept. The brand then expanded across the United States through the 1990s and 2000s.

In 2017 Panera was acquired by JAB Holding Company for about $7.5 billion, taking the company private. It now operates under Panera Brands, a parent company created to oversee Panera and related fast-casual concepts.

Panera has pursued a "clean" menu initiative, announcing in the 2010s a commitment to remove artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives from most menu items as part of its Food Promise. The chain offers digital ordering through a mobile app, a loyalty program (My Panera), and catering services. It has also marketed Panera at Home products for grocery-store shelves in certain markets.

Overall, Panera’s footprint is concentrated in the United States, with a smaller presence in Canada. It competes with other fast-casual and bakery cafés by combining quick service with a bakery-inspired dining experience and commitments around ingredient quality.