PANERA BREAD MAKES SUMMER EVEN HOTTER WITH A SPICY FIESTA ON ITS NEW MENU

Plus, two fan-favorite bagels return to the menu, and Panera debuts its take on avocado toast on its iconic sourdough bread

ST. LOUIS, July 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Panera Bread is making summer even hotter, spicing up its menu with the introduction of new menu options that kick up the heat and tantalize your taste buds. Beginning today at bakery-cafes nationwide, guests can now enjoy the new Spicy Chicken Fiesta and Kickin' Grilled Cheese sandwiches alongside two new Avocado Toast varieties that put a Panera twist on a classic food trend. And if the summer heat is making you thirsty, Panera has you covered – the brand is currently offering their most valuable Unlimited Sip Club deal yet. New monthly subscribers who sign up through August 31 will get 3 FREE MONTHS of endless drinks!*

Spicy Fiesta Chicken Takes Center Stage
Get ready to wake up your taste buds and kick up the spice with the arrival of the Spicy Fiesta Chicken Sandwich. Starting at $11.59^**, this flavor fiesta features Panera's new, creamy salsa verde spread. The sandwich layers the new spread with grilled chicken, white cheddar cheese, zesty, sweet peppers, cilantro and pops of roasted corn, all nestled on our warm and crusty artisan Ciabatta bread.

Kickin' Grilled Cheese Heats Up a Classic
For those who love the melty goodness of a classic grilled cheese paired with great value, Panera is introducing the new Kickin' Grilled Cheese. Starting at $7.49 ^**, this limited-time special menu item adds a touch of heat to your favorite comfort food with its creamy salsa verde spread paired with both American and White Cheddar cheeses on Panera's Classic White Miche, creating a unique and delicious flavor experience.

New Avocado Toasts on Panera's Iconic Sourdough Take a Classic to a New Level
Inspired by the winning entry from Panera's Food Hackathon, Panera's new line of Avocado Toasts bring both flavor and value to the breakfast menu, proving this is one food trend that never goes out of style. Crafted on Panera's signature Country Rustic Sourdough Bread and starting at $3.49^**, these freshly made and flavorful breakfast options are vegetarian-friendly and layered with chunky avocado spread and a selection of delicious ingredients to tantalize your taste buds.

Choose Your Perfect Avocado Toast:

• Classic Avo: This toast features a chunky avocado spread generously applied to thin-sliced Country Rustic Sourdough, finished with a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning, sea salt and black pepper for a delightful savory touch.
• Garden Avo: Loaded with chunky avocado spread, this toast boasts fresh sliced tomatoes and a drizzle of flavorful garlic aioli, all on thin-sliced Country Rustic Sourdough and topped with everything bagel seasoning, sea salt and black pepper.

Fan Favorite Bagels Returning by Popular Demand
Panera is giving guests more of what they want in its new era, including a delicious reunion with some old favorites! In response to guest feedback over the past few months, Sesame and Blueberry bagels begin making a return to bakery-cafe menus this week - perfect for breakfast on-the-go or as a bread upgrade for your favorite Panera sandwiches.

Panera launched its biggest menu transformation earlier this year with the introduction of several new menu items including sandwiches, salads and mac & cheese, all grounded in guest feedback and focused on delivering an excellent guest experience. The newest menu items celebrate what resonates most with Panera's core guests, with delicious, craveable flavors offered at a great value.

To join MyPanera and to receive the latest updates on Panera's exciting menu innovations, 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 May 28, 2024 there were 2,182 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 Contacts
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*Unlimited Sip Club. 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 August 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 subscription is available for registration and redemption in participating U.S. 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.

**Price and participation varies. Menu price for delivery is higher and fees apply.

SOURCE Panera Bread