In 1981, current CEO and Chairman of the Board Ron Shaich, and Louis Kane founded America's local café-bakery under the name Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. What started as a chain of 20 bakery-cafes is now Panera Bread, a prolific brand, which includes 1,736 bakery-cafes in 45 states as well as Ontario, Canada. Despite several name changes and exponential growth both in size and service, the bakery remains firmly rooted in their commitment to delivering fresh, authentic artisan bread in a warm, comfortable atmosphere.

Each local Panera bakery-café has a team of professional bakers who work over stone deck and convection ovens nightly to ensure menu items from breakfast pastries to sandwich bread are baked fresh on the very same day customers are enjoying them. Every evening, leftover bread is donated to local organizations as a part of the bakery’s nearly 30-year battle against hunger in your communities, and all over the nation.

The same passion for serving both local communities, and their loyal customers is demonstrated by detailed-oriented craftsmanship. Genuine attention and care infiltrates everything on Panera’s extensive breakfast and lunch menus. A wide selection of rich, healthy, and entirely customizable soups, fresh,  crisp salad combinations, and hot-pressed sandwiches are readily available.

While the bakery-café’s breakfast and lunch menus have expanded to meet the tastes and health needs of their customers, Panera Bread remains grounded in a simple mission: "to provide a warm, friendly atmosphere for individuals, friends, and families to enjoy healthy, delicious food, coffee, and great conversation."

Visit Panera Bread online to locate your local bakery-café, or to find out more about Panera Cares®.