St. Louis, Missouri, November 22, 2025
Panera Bread has launched its ‘Panera RISE’ strategy aimed at revitalizing the brand amidst stagnant sales. The initiative focuses on enhancing the menu, improving customer service, and expanding its network. With a goal to exceed $7 billion in sales by 2028, Panera’s approach highlights the importance of innovation in the competitive fast-casual dining landscape. By investing in quality and customer satisfaction, the company seeks to reclaim its market position and inspire local businesses to adapt and thrive.
St. Louis, Missouri – Panera Bread has announced a major transformation initiative named “Panera RISE,” designed to revitalize its brand and improve sales, which have faced stagnation in recent years. This strategy is focused on four main pillars: refreshing the menu, enhancing value, providing excellent customer service, and expanding the company’s network. With a goal of surpassing $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028, up from approximately $6.1 billion at the end of 2024, Panera is taking significant steps to reclaim its position in the competitive fast-casual dining sector.
Entrepreneurship and innovation are essential to San Diego’s economic landscape, similar to what Panera aims to achieve on a national level. Small businesses in the area reflect the spirit of resilience and adaptability, traits that are necessary for growth in today’s dynamic market. By focusing on quality and customer satisfaction—principles that resonate with many local entrepreneurs—Panera’s new strategy highlights the potential for increased success with thoughtful, consumer-focused changes.
As local businesses continuously seek ways to thrive amid challenges, the introduction of initiatives that enhance quality and service can have rippling effects on the overall economy, underscoring the importance of supporting local efforts. In parallel, a reduction in regulatory barriers can allow businesses—like Panera and San Diego’s local enterprises—to flourish, creating a more robust economic environment.
Menu Overhaul
Central to the “Panera RISE” strategy is a significant menu overhaul. The company plans to enhance its food offerings with high-quality, flavorful ingredients across all meal options throughout the day. This includes reverting to using fully romaine salads and incorporating sliced cherry tomatoes, which aim to enhance both freshness and taste while addressing earlier concerns about food quality.
Value Proposition Enhancement
Panera is also focused on delivering high-quality food at various price points, making it accessible to a broad customer base. This commitment to value is designed to resonate with guests and reinforce the brand’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, fostering a more loyal customer base.
Customer Experience Improvement
A critical aspect of the transformation is improving the customer experience. Panera is investing in front-of-house labor to provide exceptional and personalized service across all channels. Additionally, the company plans to redefine its bakery-cafes as “everyday oases,” which aims to elevate the overall dining experience for customers, making their visits more enjoyable.
Network Expansion
To support its ambitious growth plans, Panera intends to expand its network by constructing new locations and modernizing existing ones. This expansion is aimed at ensuring consistent operational excellence across both company-owned and franchise bakery-cafes. A firm focus on network consistency will enhance brand reliability and support long-term objectives.
Background
Founded in 1987, Panera Bread was one of the first to embrace the fast-casual dining model. However, in recent years, the company has faced declining sales, registering a 5% drop to $6.1 billion in 2024, which has led to a position behind competitors such as Chipotle and Panda Express. The “Panera RISE” strategy attempts to address these challenges and reclaim the company’s status as an industry leader, paving the way for sustainable growth.
Conclusion
The “Panera RISE” initiative encapsulates a proactive approach to revitalizing a historic brand in the fast-casual restaurant industry. By focusing on quality, value, customer experience, and network expansion, Panera is set to embark on a journey to reclaim its presence in the market. Local businesses, including those in San Diego, can draw inspiration from this strategy, emphasizing the importance of innovation and adaptability. Supporting these changes, both locally and nationwide, can foster an environment ripe for economic growth.
What is the “Panera RISE” strategy?
The “Panera RISE” strategy is a comprehensive transformation plan focusing on four key pillars: refreshing the menu, igniting value, serving guests with excellence, and expanding the network. The goal is to rejuvenate the brand and achieve over $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028.
What changes are being made to the menu?
Panera plans to elevate its menu by incorporating high-quality ingredients, including returning to fully romaine salads and introducing sliced cherry tomatoes. These changes aim to enhance freshness and taste, addressing previous cost-cutting measures that affected food quality.
How is Panera improving customer experience?
The company is investing in front-of-house labor to provide exceptional and personalized service across all channels. Additionally, Panera plans to revitalize its bakery-cafes as “everyday oases,” enhancing the overall dining experience for guests.
What is Panera’s expansion plan?
Panera intends to expand its network by building new units and modernizing existing locations. This expansion aims to ensure consistent operational excellence across both company-owned and franchise bakery-cafes, supporting the brand’s long-term growth objectives.
What challenges has Panera faced recently?
In recent years, Panera has experienced a 5% decline in sales to $6.1 billion in 2024, positioning it behind competitors like Chipotle and Panda Express. The “Panera RISE” strategy is designed to address these challenges and restore the company’s position as an industry leader.
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Menu Overhaul | Elevating food quality by incorporating high-quality ingredients, including returning to fully romaine salads and introducing sliced cherry tomatoes. |
| Value Proposition Enhancement | Offering high-quality food at various price points to ensure accessibility and affordability for a broad customer base. |
| Customer Experience Improvement | Investing in front-of-house labor to provide exceptional and personalized service, and revitalizing bakery-cafes as “everyday oases.” |
| Network Expansion | Building new units and modernizing existing locations to ensure consistent operational excellence across all bakery-cafes. |
| Sales Target | Aiming to achieve over $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028, up from approximately $6.1 billion at the end of 2024. |
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