Panera Parent Vows Bread Chain Will Rise Again

Panera Bread, has long been a fixture in the Franklin Village Mall, drawing a steady parade of customers year round.  But in the bigger picture thing's aren't so rosy.  Once the No. 1 fast-casual brand in the U.S., Panera has dipped to No. 3,  according to published sources, ceding the top spots to Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panda Express. Last year, its sales fell 5% to $6.1 billion, according to Technomic estimates.

This week, Panera Bread,   announced ,  “Panera RISE,” its transformation strategy designed to guide the next phase of Panera’s growth. According to a company media release, Panera RISE is focused on four strategic pillars: Refreshing the menu, Igniting value, Serving  guests with excellence, and Expanding our network.

Panera RISE builds upon the foundational work Panera undertook this year to accelerate transformation and drive meaningful progress toward long-term growth. The company is making significant investments to elevate ingredient quality, variety, and abundance across the menu, while also reimagining its operating model to invest in a guest experience built for today’s consumer and defined by Panera Warmth.

“Over the past year we have made considerable progress in strengthening our foundation to better serve our guests. Panera RISE is a momentum driver, grounded in the areas of differentiation that have made Panera an iconic brand for nearly 40 years,” said Paul Carbone, Chief Executive Officer, Panera Bread. 

To date, Panera Bread's menu continues to evolve with seasonal and health-conscious offerings, reflecting its efforts to appeal to a wide range of customers. In 2025, popular items included the Broccoli Cheddar Soup served in a bread bowl, the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich on a croissant, the Cinnamon Crunch Bagel, and beverages such as the Iced Caramel or Vanilla Latte and Cold Brew Iced Coffee

But now the company says it plans to elevate Panera’s food "across dayparts to incorporate abundant, flavorful and distinctive, high-quality ingredients, alongside bakery leadership and a strong beverage portfolio."

As of October 28, 2025, there were 2,239 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.