Cooler Days, Cozy Cravings. Panera Season is Here with Fall Menu Drop of Seasonal Soups, Warm Sandwiches and Nostalgic Bakery Treats

Embrace the season at bakery-cafes nationwide with NEW Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup, Ciabatta Dippers, a nostalgic PB&J Cookie and the return of the Chocolate Chip Bagel

BOSTON, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The days are getting cooler, the cravings are getting cozier, and that can only mean one thing: Panera Season is here. Today, Panera Bread is officially welcoming fall with a flavor-packed menu designed to deliver guests the ultimate cozy comfort. Just in time for back-to-school routines and crisp autumn days, Panera's fall lineup features the flavors guests crave most, including warm sandwiches, hearty new soups, the seasonal Harvest Medley Salad, and the return of guest favorites like the Chocolate Chip Bagel and Ciabatta Dippers. When the weather cools down, there's only one place to go: Panera.

Panera's signature fall soups are back, led by the new Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup, featuring a rich ricotta-tomato broth. Guests can also enjoy the return of Panera's comforting seasonal soup lineup, including:

• NEW Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup: Italian-style sausage, lasagna ribbon pasta, and parmesan cheese, in a ricotta tomato broth topped with asiago cheese.
• Rustic Baked Potato Soup: Homestyle-cut potatoes, bacon and chives in a seasoned creamy broth topped with even more bacon.
• Autumn Squash Soup: A seasonal fan favorite, featuring a rich blend of butternut squash and pumpkin simmered in vegetable broth with select ingredients, with honey, cinnamon and a hint of curry, finished with sweet cream and topped with roasted pumpkin seeds.

Nothing pairs better with Panera's fall soups than warm, hearty sandwiches, and returning for the season is the ultimate companion for dipping: Ciabatta Dippers. Inspired by guests who love to dip their sandwiches into every last spoonful of soup, Ciabatta Dippers bring the best of both together in one craveable offering. Embrace the dip in two distinct varieties with the French Ciabatta Dipper and Chicken Pesto Ciabatta Dipper. The seasonal Ciabatta Dippers are a delicious addition to Panera's warm sandwich lineup, featuring guest favorites including the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt, the Toasted Italiano and the Chicken Bacon Rancher.

To satisfy every sweet tooth, Panera is delivering beloved flavor combinations in unexpected ways, including a new, seasonal PB&J Cookie – a fresh take on a childhood favorite, featuring a soft peanut butter cookie with a gooey grape jelly filling. Panera's fall bakery lineup includes:

• NEW PB&J Cookie - Peanut butter cookie filled with grape jelly and dusted with powdered sugar
• NEW Cinnamon Croissant Bites - Mini croissants baked with our sweet cinnamon crunch topping and served with a side of icing.
• IT'S BACK! Chocolate Chip Bagel – More bagels, more fun. Reintroducing the Chocolate Chip Bagel back on Panera's menu.

"When the temperature drops, Panera is the place to go – we've crafted a seasonal fall menu that brings warm comfort, nostalgia and exciting new flavors to every occasion," said Scott Uehlein, Vice President of Culinary, Panera Bread. "From the hearty warmth of our new Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup to the playful joy of our PB&J Cookie, we're bringing everything our guests love about the season to the menu. We're also excited to bring back our beloved Chocolate Chip Bagel, delivering the familiar flavors and traditions our guests look forward to each fall."

Rounding out the seasonal menu is the return of the crisp and colorful Harvest Medley Salad, featuring an abundance of delicious toppings that truly capture the taste of the season, including a bed of mixed greens and fresh arugula, pumpkin seeds, mandarin oranges and crunchy beet strips.

From crisp mornings and sweater weather to warm lunches and comforting dinners, the best fall moments are made even better at Panera. With seasonal soups, warm sandwiches, fresh autumn-inspired flavors and beloved favorites returning to the menu, THIS is Panera Season.

Panera's latest menu innovations are available for dine-in, delivery, Rapid Pick-Up®, or drive-thru at Panera Bread bakery-cafes nationwide beginning September 2. Want to get rewarded for your fall favorites? Join the all new MyPanera® today to begin earning points and for access to other exclusive perks. To learn more or to place your next order, 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 & 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 about 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 elevating everyday meals into moments of comfort, connection and joy. Nothing beats breaking bread together. 

As of July 28, 2026, there were 2,251 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 X (@panerabread), Facebook (facebook.com/panerabread) Instagram (@panerabread) or TikTok (@panerabread).

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SOURCE Panera Bread