FAN-FAVORITE FRENCH CIABATTA DIPPER RETURNS SEPTEMBER 10, JOINED BY ALL-NEW CHICKEN PESTO CIABATTA DIPPER

The two melty, flavor-packed sandwiches are built for dipping into the perfect portion of soup – no spoon necessary

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, spoons have been put on notice as Panera Bread announces the return of fan-favorite Ciabatta Dippers to the menu. Available starting today at participating cafes nationwide, guests can enjoy the beloved French Dipper alongside the brand-new Chicken Pesto Dipper, both crafted on Panera's rustic, crisp ciabatta bread. Inspired by the satisfying combination of sandwiches and soups that Panera guests already love, both are served with the perfect portion of soup for dipping.

Panera's Ciabatta Dippers are available in two delectable, dippable duos for a limited time:

• French Dipper – A returning favorite sandwich dipping pair featuring tender, marinated steak, melty provolone and asiago cheese, and garlic aioli drizzle on Panera's iconic Ciabatta paired with a dipping portion of Bistro French Onion Soup.
• NEW! Chicken Pesto Dipper – A new combination of grilled chicken, melty provolone and parmesan cheese, and basil pesto spread on Ciabatta paired with a dipping portion of Creamy Tomato Soup.

"Dipping sandwiches into soup is one of our guests' favorite rituals and we love seeing it coming to life in our cafes every day," said Mark Shambura, Chief Marketing Officer, Panera Bread. "That's why we created Ciabatta Dippers - they make dipping easier, more delicious and more enjoyable. The French Dipper was a fan favorite when first launched last year, and now our new Chicken Pesto Ciabatta Dipper give guests another crave-worthy reason to ditch the spoon and embrace the dip."

Panera's Ciabatta Dippers are available for dine-in, delivery, Rapid Pick-Up^®, or drive-thru where available. Prices will vary by cafe. To learn more or place your order today, download the Panera Bread app or visit PaneraBread.com.

About Panera Bread

Our first 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 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 July 29, 2025 there were 2,208 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).

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Panera Bread