Our Story
For over three decades, we've been committed to serving food you can feel good about—with clean ingredients and a warm experience that feeds your soul.
Food as it should be
Since 1987, Panera Bread has been on a journey to redefine fast casual dining. What started as a single bakery-cafe has grown into a movement centered on clean food, transparent sourcing, and community connection.
We believe that good food can bring out the best in all of us. It nourishes our bodies, connects us with others, and brings joy to our everyday lives. That's why we're committed to serving food that is not only delicious but also responsibly sourced and prepared.
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Our Journey
The First Bakery
Panera Bread began as St. Louis Bread Company, with our first location opening in Kirkwood, Missouri. Our focus was simple: fresh-baked bread made with care.
A New Name
We adopted the name Panera Bread, derived from the Latin words for "bread basket," reflecting our commitment to being a neighborhood bakery cafe.
Clean Ingredients Pledge
We made our first commitment to remove artificial additives from our food, beginning a journey toward cleaner ingredients that continues today.
No Artificial Additives
We announced our commitment to clean food, pledging to remove all artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, and colors from our food by 2016.
Panera Grocery
We expanded our offerings to include grocery items, making our clean ingredients available for customers to enjoy at home.
Looking Forward
Today, we continue to innovate while staying true to our roots, serving food as it should be in communities across America.
Our Values
Clean Ingredients
We're committed to food that is free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors.
Transparent Sourcing
We believe you should know what's in your food and where it comes from.
Community Connection
We strive to be more than a restaurant—we aim to be a gathering place that nourishes community.
Environmental Responsibility
We're working to reduce our environmental impact through sustainable practices and packaging.
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