Panera Brands

Panera Launches Drive-Thru Pick-Up Nationwide

by Katie Lee June 1, 2023

St. Louis — On May 31, Panera launched Drive-Thru Pick-Up nationwide, combining the ease of the digital ordering experience with the comfort and convenience of the drive-thru window. Guests can now choose the Drive-Thru Pick-Up option when ordering ahead on the Panera app or website. Panera bakery-cafes featuring Drive-Thru Pick-Up will still offer the traditional Drive-Thru experience with the ability to order at the Drive-Thru screen. With Drive-Thru Pick-Up, guests who order ahead can simply announce their name at the speaker and pull ahead to the window — which allows …

June 1, 2023

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Panera Brands Establishes Next Generation of Leadership

by Katie Lee May 25, 2023

St. Louis — Panera Brands Inc., which includes the fast-casual and hospitality brand Panera Bread as well as Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee, has established its next generation of CEO leadership and board governance in preparation for its eventual IPO. Current CEO Niren Chaudhary will become chairman of Panera Brands, handing the CEO reins to José Alberto Dueñas, currently president and CEO of Einstein Bros. Bagels, effective July 1, 2023. Former Starbucks CFO and independent director Patrick Grismer will become chairman of the audit committee. Over the last 4 …

May 25, 2023

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Caribou Coffee to Open More Than 300 New Franchise Locations

by Katie Lee April 25, 2023

Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a national premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands company, has signed several multi-unit development agreements to franchise more than 300 new locations domestically. Caribou Coffee expanded its franchise program in October 2021, marking the first time interested candidates had an opportunity to own and operate traditional franchise locations in the United States. In March 2022, Caribou Coffee announced the signing of its first multi-unit development agreement with Mike Mariola Restaurants to franchise locations in Ohio. Mariola and his team opened their first Caribou Coffee location on November …

April 25, 2023

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Caribou Coffee Celebrates 30 Years

by Katie Lee December 12, 2022

Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a global premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands company, is celebrating 30 years of business this month. Founders John and Kim Puckett opened the doors of the first Caribou Coffee in Edina, Minn., on Dec. 14, 1992. What started as a dream of two young entrepreneurs has now transformed into a beloved brand and is currently one of the nation’s largest coffee chains with over 400 coffeehouses throughout the U.S. “As Caribou reflects on its 30 years of business, we’re proud to celebrate the successes achieved throughout …

December 12, 2022

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Caribou Coffee Opens First Domestic Franchise Location

by Katie Lee November 18, 2022

Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a national premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands company, has opened its first-ever domestic franchise location. Located in Wooster, Ohio, the grand opening on Nov. 17 marked a significant milestone for Caribou Coffee since announcing its domestic franchise program in October 2021. Earlier this year, Caribou Coffee announced its first multi-unit agreement with franchisee Mike Mariola, who intends to develop locations in the Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati markets. “We’ve been anticipating the day when we could welcome guests to Caribou’s first U.S.-based franchise location,” says Matthew Walls, …

November 18, 2022

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Panera Opens First Digitally-Led New Bakery-Cafe Format in NYC

by Katie Lee November 9, 2022

St. Louis — Panera Bread has opened the first of its new updated urban store format in New York, the newest of several new formats targeted at more densely populated and non-traditional trade areas. With digital sales at Panera now representing 50% of total system sales, Panera now offers a portfolio of store formats designed to cater to the needs of an increasingly digital and off-premise guest. “At Panera, our innovation has always been rooted in the guest and associate experience, how we can reduce friction, drive convenience and bring …

November 9, 2022

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Panera Tests New AI Ordering Technology for Drive-Thru Lanes

by Katie Lee August 30, 2022

St. Louis — On Aug. 29, 2022, Panera Bread began testing AI technology in drive-thru lanes with an aim to improve and enhance the guest experience. With support from OpenCity, select Panera bakery-cafes in the greater Rochester, N.Y., area have implemented OpenCity’s proprietary voice AI ordering technology, called “Tori,” for drive-thru orders, with the goal of maximizing efficiency and increasing speed of orders. Guests at Panera Bread cafes in Greece, N.Y., and Webster, N.Y., are the first Panera locations to experience this drive-thru innovation. Tori is installed at these select …

August 30, 2022

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Caribou Coffee Launches Domestic Franchise Program

by Katie Lee October 11, 2021

Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a national premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands portfolio concept, has launched its domestic franchise program. Since its inception in 1992, Caribou Coffee has grown to more than 718 locations systemwide including 314 company-owned coffeehouses primarily across the Midwest. Caribou Coffee’s domestic franchise launch marks the first time interested candidates in the U.S. have an opportunity to own and operate coffeehouses which were previously only available internationally, through non-traditional or licensing. Industry-leading innovations in restaurant design have further positioned Caribou Coffee for nationwide expansion, including the 2019 …

October 11, 2021