Panera Announces Major Changes To Menu, Portions And Prices

Panera Bread is set for a major menu overhaul this spring, marking what they call “the biggest menu transformation in brand history.” This comprehensive update will introduce nine new items and revamp 12 favorites, reminiscent of Subway’s notable menu revamp in 2022. Starting April 4, over 20 updated menu items will be available at participating Panera bakery-cafés nationwide. MyPanera members will get a special preview of this launch.

Panera is adding nine brand-new items to its menu, including four sandwiches, four salads and one new entrée.

Per a press release, many salads and sandwiches will also now feature “more chicken and steak,” and there are more menu options below $10, like the Tomato Basil BLT, Ranch Cobb Salad and Mediterranean Greens with Grains. Here’s at everything new:

New sandwiches

• Toasted Italiano: This newbie packs a whole lot of flavor into a toasted French baguette, including the following ingredients: black forest ham, soppressata and provolone, sliced pepperoncini peppers, romaine, red onion, garlic aioli and Greek dressing.
• Chicken Bacon Rancher: You’ll find a mix of grilled chicken, aged white cheddar, applewood smoked bacon and ranch dressing in this sandwich that’s made on black pepper focaccia.
• Ciabatta Cheesesteak: This sandwich is made on ciabatta and features marinated sliced steak, provolone, caramelized onions, Peppadew peppers and garlic aioli.
• Tomato Basil BLT: Served on tomato basil miche bread, this sandwich features applewood smoked bacon, mixed greens, tomatoes, garlic aioli, salt and pepper.

New salads

• Mediterranean Chicken Greens with Grains: This new salad features romaine and crisp mixed greens, grilled chicken, Greek dressing, a whole-grain blend of farro and red rice, hummus, feta, cucumbers, red onions, Peppadew peppers and Panera’s Mediterranean shawarma seasoning. 
• Southwest Chicken Ranch: To make this new salad, Panera mixes romaine with ranch dressing and drizzles grilled chicken with chipotle aioli. The finishing touches come in the form of corn, avocado, grape tomatoes, cilantro and blue corn tortilla strips.
• Balsamic Chicken Greens with Grains: This new salad features romaine and mixed greens in balsamic vinaigrette, a whole-grain blend of farro and red rice, pepperoncini peppers, cucumbers, avocado, feta, pumpkin seeds and green goddess dressing.
• Ranch Cobb Salad: Ranch dressing covers romaine and mixed greens in this salad that also features feta, grape tomatoes, pickled red onions, applewood smoked bacon and a hard-boiled egg.

New entrée

Bacon Mac & Cheese: This new entrée features a mix of cheeses, including an aged white cheddar sauce. On top, you’ll find applewood smoked bacon.

Classic favorites are getting a makeover

Many of the Panera menu items customers know and love are also getting “recipe enhancements” including the following 12 items:

• Bravo Club​
• Chipotle Chicken Avo Melt​
• Turkey & Cheddar Sandwich​
• Grilled Chicken and Avo BLT​
• Spicy Buffalo and Chicken Melt​
• Toasted Frontega Chicken​
• BBQ Chicken Sandwich​
• Green Goddess Cobb Chicken Salad​
• Caesar Salad​
• Greek Salad​
• Strawberry Poppyseed Salad​
• Fuji Apple Chicken Salad