Latest news with #CroqueMonsieurCroissantToast
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Panera Bread just killed its most favourite feature. What's next?
Panera Bread is closing all nine of its remaining fresh dough facilities (FDFS) across the United States under its new CEO, Paul Carbone. The closures, expected to unfold over the next two years, follow years of speculation and a gradual transition away from the brand's original dough production model. Panera baked its bread using dough prepared off-site at regional FDFs. These dough balls were delivered to cafés, where staff proofed and baked fresh loaves each morning. While this gave Panera its signature fresh-baked aroma, the model sometimes led to cafes running out of bread by the afternoon. ALSO READ| Google Messages undergoes massive layout fix: Here's what has changed Now, the company is fully adopting an 'on-demand' model. Instead of preparing dough in-house, Panera will rely on third-party partners to produce bread using its recipes. The bread will arrive par-baked and frozen, allowing staff to finish baking it in cafés throughout the day. Brooke Buchanan, Panera's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, said, 'We didn't make this decision lightly,' per Restaurant Business. 'We wanted to make sure it was the right model for us moving forward, not only for operations and for consistency, and ensuring our high quality… but also because of our team members.' Shuttering the remaining FDFs will result in hundreds of layoffs though Panera has pledged to 'offer job fairs and bridge benefits.' Panera is already making changes to the menu. New offerings like the Croque Monsieur Croissant Toast. Last year, the brand overhauled core items like soups, salads, sandwiches, and mac and cheese. Despite these efforts, Panera's performance in 2024 took a hit. Sales dropped more than 5% to $6.1 billion, the first decline since the pandemic. Meanwhile, competitors like Jersey Mike's and Charley's Cheesesteaks posted double-digit gains, according to Technomic data. ALSO READ| Chicago O'Hare International Airport rattled by possible deadly measles exposure Still, there's a glimmer of hope. 'We saw encouraging sales improvements in the first quarter,' Buchanan noted, though she didn't share figures. Owned by Luxembourg-based JAB Holding since 2017, Panera has been undergoing significant changes ahead of a possible IPO. But for now, Buchanan said, 'We're in the middle of a turnaround. We are taking a strategic look at where we are today and where we want to be three years from now.'
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Panera unveils insulated and bready new fashion accessory: the Croissant Clutch
Panera unveils insulated and bready new fashion accessory: the Croissant Clutch Have you ever wanted to carry your belongings in a croissant? If your answer to that question was yes, Panera is offering you the perfect accessory. The company on April 30 unveiled the Croissant Clutch, which the company describes as "the bread experts' take on the it-bag of the season." The clutch, inspired by the company's new Croissant Toast Sandwiches, is a limited-edition croissant-shaped bag that it says is "equal parts style and function." "Unlike runway croissant clutches, the Panera Croissant Clutch is perfectly sized to fit an actual Croissant Toast Sandwich and insulated to keep it warm for a delicious meal on-the-go," the restaurant chain said in a news release. The clutch is available starting on April 30 at for $39.50 while supplies last, according to Panera, and each clutch comes with a $15 Panera gift card. While customers can order the bag now, Panera's website says the product is expected to ship in August 2025. "The on-trend brown clutch is constructed with a pleated design reminiscent of the flaky layers of a croissant, a gusset with accordion sides and kiss-lock closure with a gold frame," Panera described the accessory in the news release. "The stylish structured accessory also features a detachable gold chain shoulder strap, a custom metal Panera 'P' emblem, and an insulated lining." Panera unveiled Croissant Toast Sandwiches earlier this month The company unveiled its new Croissant Toast Sandwiches on April 16 that featured a new-to-menu sliced bread made from croissant dough. The sandwich is available in two limited-time varieties, including: Croque Monsieur Croissant Toast: Features Black Forest ham, melty provolone and asiago cheeses, and a caramelized onion and gruyere spread. Features Black Forest ham, melty provolone and asiago cheeses, and a caramelized onion and gruyere spread. Fromage Croissant Toast: Features melty provolone and American cheeses, caramelized onions, arugula, and garlic aioli. 'Our new Croissant Toasts are an innovative gamechanger for our sandwich menu," said Scott Uehlein, Vice President of Culinary, Panera Bread, in a news release on April 16. "These unique sandwiches are curated with an all-butter, flaky croissant sliced bread, delivering a truly delicious product and experience like nothing Panera has had on its menu before." Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
