Who out there doesn’t love Panera Bread?
It’s probably the best fast food restaurant out there.
So good, in fact, that it may not even deserve to be lumped in as a “fast food” chain.
Before you order your next sandwich or pastry from the establishment, however, get to know Panera Bread a bit better via the following array of facts.
They may take you by extreme surprise…
It Originated in Missouri
And it remained a local joint called “St. Louis Bread Co.” until the founder of Au Bon Pain took it national.
The OG
In St. Louis, the franchise is STILL known as The St. Louis Bread Company.
“Panera” Means Bread Bowl
Sort of. The name translates to “bread basket”or “bread box” in Spanish.
There are Four States Without a Panera Bread
Sorry, residents of Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
You May Want to Own Some Stock In It
Panera is traded publically on NASDAQ. On the day it went public, – June 10, 1991 – shares topped out at $13.25, according to Yahoo! Finance. On February 18, 2017, it hit a peak of $179.37.
It Has HOW MANY Locations?!?
Over 2,000. In 2015, it was named the most innovative company by Fast Company and opened its 2,000th bakery-café in March 2016.
Do You Prefer Beethoven or Bach?
Those are basically your only choices. Nearly every location only plays classical music.
Fresh Dough is Delivered Daily
There are 20 bakeries throughout the country that supply fresh dough to each location every single morning.
It Deserves Some Applause
All the bread and baked goods that are left over at the end of the day gets donated to local hunger relief agencies, as part of the company’s Day-End Dough-Nation initiative. In 2010, the Panera donated a whopping $100 million worth of unsold bread and baked goods.
They Love the Internet!
At one point, Panera provided more free wi-fi than any company in the country. When they installment this nationwide in 2006, it was considered revolutionary.
The Menu is Free
Sometimes! At some places! A number of locations in lower-income areas operate on a “pay-what-you-can” system. At these shops, or Panera Cares Community Cafes as they’re called, the menu lists suggested donations, but accepts whatever you can pay.
It Was The First National Chain to List Calorie Counts
Moreover, it removed all artificial trans fats from the menu in 2005 and eliminated ALL artificial ingredients from its ingredients in January 2017.
They Offer Free Coffee Refills
They actually provide free refills in nearly every beverage.
There’s a Hidden Menu
But it isn’t all that hidden.