Latest news with #PaneraBread
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Wendy's menu adds items that went terribly wrong at Panera Bread
Wendy's sits at number two in the fast-food burger race, at least in the United States, although many would think Burger King holds that spot. The Dave Thomas-founded brand has struggled to break out beyond its square burgers and the Frosty, a frozenish menu item that's not quite ice cream and not quite a shake. Related: CDC sounds alarm on American eating habits, dangers for small kids Wendy's (WEN) has had success in recent years with its signature Baconator. The calorific burger may not have the name recognition of the McDonald's Big Mac or Burger King Whopper, but it has given the company a platform that launched Baconator fries and the Breakfast Baconator. Now, as its sales have struggled, Wendy's has made a major move in a space where McDonald's has invested heavily - beverages. That's an attractive growth area because margins are high, but it's also one full of competition, and in Wendy's case, fraught with peril. The number two burger chain has opted to enter a space that cost rival quick-serve chain Panera Bread millions. Panera Bread saw multiple customers die and faced lawsuits due to its Charged Lemonades allegedly containing too much caffeine. The chain launched the Charged line in 2022 with great fanfare. "Earlier this Spring, Panera launched Charged Lemonades, with plant-based caffeine for a burst of energy. Fueled by Clean caffeine from Guarana and green coffee extract, Charged Lemonades come in three vibrant flavor combinations: Strawberry Lemon Mint, Fuji Apple Cranberry and Mango Yuzu Citrus," it shared. The company played up its caffeine content as well. "A 20 fl. oz. Charged Lemonade without ice has about the same amount of caffeine as a Panera 20 fl. oz. hot Dark Roast coffee," it added. That, however, may not have actually been true. "A 30-ounce (890ml) Charged Lemonade contains up to 390mg of caffeine, more than the combined caffeine levels of a Red Bull and Monster Energy Drink, said the lawsuit," BBC reported. Charged Lemonade also contains guarana extract, another stimulant, and the equivalent of nearly 30 teaspoons of sugar in the large size, according to the court papers. Panera pulled the Charged line in 2024. The issue with the "Charged" lemonades was that consumers had no expectations that they may be dangerous. It also did not help that Panera offers self-serve beverages and refills. Still, Wendy's seems to be taking a risk by launching a similar product line of energy fruit drinks: Cherry Limeade Sparkling Energy: Sparkling cherry limeade with Monin Brilliance Glacier Clear Natural Energy (caffeine shots).Pineapple Citrus Sparkling Energy: A fizzy Pineapple Citrus blend mixed with Monin Brilliance Glacier Clear Natural Energy. The fast-food chain has used similar "natural" wording with its new beverage line. "Wendy's Sparkling Energy drinks are iced fruit-flavored beverages that contain 80 to 120mg of caffeine (depending on the size)," it shared. Here's how that compares to other caffeinated beverages: Caffeine content of popular drinks: Coca-Cola Classic (12 oz): 34 mg caffeine Diet Coke (12 oz): 46 mg caffeine Red Bull (8.3 oz): 80 mg caffeine Monster Energy (16 oz): 160 mg caffeine Spike Shooter (8.4 oz): 300 mg caffeine Brewed Coffee (8 oz): 96 mg caffeine (range 80–135 mg) Robusta Coffee, drip-brewed (6 oz): 140–200 mg caffeine Arabica Coffee, drip-brewed (6 oz): 75–130 mg caffeine Espresso (1 oz): 63 mg caffeine "For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day - that's about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee - as an amount not generally associated with negative effects. However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they eliminate it from the body," according to Kids and teens should avoid energy drinks Medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens because of the levels of sugar and caffeine, according to the American Academy of much caffeine in children and teens can cause increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lead to sleep problems, digestive problems, and Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that drinks containing caffeine should be avoided for children younger than age 2 and beverages that contain no added sugars should be the primary choice for children and teens. Related: McDonald's CEO promises massive restaurant changes, improvements The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Panera franchise collapses in Houston: Lawsuits, layoffs, and millions owed
The Brief 15 Houston-area Panera Bread stores are closed after the franchisee files for bankruptcy. Hundreds of workers are left jobless. The franchisee owes $10–$50 million to creditors. HOUSTON - The operator of more than a dozen Panera Bread locations across the Houston area is in legal and financial hot water, facing a federal lawsuit from Panera Bread, and filing for bankruptcy protection. What we know EYM Café of Texas LLC, a franchisee of Panera, operated 15 stores in the Houston area. Chad Rainey was an assistant general manager at one of them. He says he moved locations for a promotion in the company and shortly after, on his birthday, he was told the store was closing and he no longer had a job. "There's 15 stores with 40 to 60 employees per store - we're all out," he said. Rainey says his last paycheck is supposed to hit Friday, but EYM Cafe hasn't responded to any inquiries from employees on how to collect that payment. "I'll be on the street. I have no vehicle - no nothing. Me and my wife will be on the street," he said. Dig deeper Records show EYM Café began operating the 15 locations in 2019 and in May 2025, Panera Bread filed a lawsuit against the franchisee, accusing them of repeatedly breaching its franchise agreements by failing to make required payments, maintain food safety standards, and pay vendors and landlords. The suit says Panera Bread terminated franchise rights at multiple Houston-area locations earlier this year, but claims the franchisee continued to operate the locations illegally. "It honestly came as a shock and out of nowhere," said Ricky Baskin, a former manager. According to court filings, Panera alleges that EYM's payment issues began surfacing in February 2025. It says inspections by Panera reportedly uncovered "multiple food safety issues" and violations of brand standards at multiple cafés. Notices of default and termination were sent for at least 10 stores between March and May, the suit says. Records show EYM Café of Texas LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 2, 2025. The records say the operator of the LLC is Eduardo Diaz. According to bankruptcy records, the company reports owing between $10 million and $50 million to hundreds of creditors. Employees tell us the locations they were working at closed on August 1. Bankruptcy statements and property records show the locations of the now closed locations once operated by EYM Cafe include: 3113 College Park Dr., Conroe, TX 77384 1304 W. Davis St., Conroe, TX 77304 12220 FM 1960 Rd. W., Houston, TX 77065 19506 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX 77094 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77380 15607 Interstate 105 W., Montgomery, TX 77356 8203 Louetta Rd., Spring, TX 77379 26003 Northwest Fwy., Cypress, TX 77429 21620 Kuykendahl Rd., Spring, TX 77388 3548 Rayford Rd., Spring, TX 77386 1448 Louetta Rd., Spring, TX 77388 25546 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX 77494 22521 Tomball Pkwy., Houston, TX 77070 28403 State Highway 249, Tomball, TX 77375 FOX 26 reached out to EYM Cafe, Diaz's lawyer, and Panera Bread for comment. None of the parties have replied to the inquiry yet. The Source FOX 26 Reporter spoke with one employee affected by the closures, court records Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Panera franchise collapses in Houston: Lawsuits, layoffs, and millions owed
The Brief 15 Houston-area Panera Bread stores are closed after the franchisee files for bankruptcy. Hundreds of workers are left jobless. The franchisee owes $10–$50 million to creditors. HOUSTON - The operator of more than a dozen Panera Bread locations across the Houston area is in legal and financial hot water, facing a federal lawsuit from Panera Bread, and filing for bankruptcy protection. What we know EYM Café of Texas LLC, a franchisee of Panera, operated 15 stores in the Houston area. Chad Rainey was an assistant general manager at one of them. He says he moved locations for a promotion in the company and shortly after, on his birthday, he was told the store was closing and he no longer had a job. "There's 15 stores with 40 to 60 employees per store - we're all out," he said. Rainey says his last paycheck is supposed to hit Friday, but EYM Cafe hasn't responded to any inquiries from employees on how to collect that payment. "I'll be on the street. I have no vehicle - no nothing. Me and my wife will be on the street," he said. Dig deeper Records show EYM Café began operating the 15 locations in 2019 and in May 2025, Panera Bread filed a lawsuit against the franchisee, accusing them of repeatedly breaching its franchise agreements by failing to make required payments, maintain food safety standards, and pay vendors and landlords. The suit says Panera Bread terminated franchise rights at multiple Houston-area locations earlier this year, but claims the franchisee continued to operate the locations illegally. "It honestly came as a shock and out of nowhere," said Ricky Baskin, a former manager. According to court filings, Panera alleges that EYM's payment issues began surfacing in February 2025. It says inspections by Panera reportedly uncovered "multiple food safety issues" and violations of brand standards at multiple cafés. Notices of default and termination were sent for at least 10 stores between March and May, the suit says. Records show EYM Café of Texas LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 2, 2025. The records say the operator of the LLC is Eduardo Diaz. According to bankruptcy records, the company reports owing between $10 million and $50 million to hundreds of creditors. Employees tell us the locations they were working at closed on August 1. Bankruptcy statements and property records show the locations of the now closed locations once operated by EYM Cafe include: 3113 College Park Dr., Conroe, TX 77384 1304 W. Davis St., Conroe, TX 77304 12220 FM 1960 Rd. W., Houston, TX 77065 19506 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX 77094 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77380 15607 Interstate 105 W., Montgomery, TX 77356 8203 Louetta Rd., Spring, TX 77379 26003 Northwest Fwy., Cypress, TX 77429 21620 Kuykendahl Rd., Spring, TX 77388 3548 Rayford Rd., Spring, TX 77386 1448 Louetta Rd., Spring, TX 77388 25546 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX 77494 22521 Tomball Pkwy., Houston, TX 77070 28403 State Highway 249, Tomball, TX 77375 FOX 26 reached out to EYM Cafe, Diaz's lawyer, and Panera Bread for comment. None of the parties have replied to the inquiry yet. The Source FOX 26 Reporter spoke with one employee affected by the closures, court records
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Noodles & Company promotes Joseph Christina from president to CEO
You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter. Noodles & Company has promoted Joseph Christina from president and chief operating officer to president and chief executive officer. Christina will also join the board of directors, effective Aug. 31, the fast-casual chain said Tuesday. He replaces Drew Madsen, who is stepping down for personal medical reasons, the company said, but will facilitate the transition and remain on the board of directors. Christina, formerly the CEO of Tijuana Flats, joined the fast-casual noodle chain in February. The chain based in Broomfield, Colo., also announced a week delay in its quarterly earnings call, now scheduled for Aug. 13 after market. According to a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, Christina will receive an annual base salary of $550,000 — a $100,000 raise — and an annual bonus opportunity for the fiscal year of 100% that salary, prorated to his Feb. 2025 hire date. He will also receive 250,000 restricted stock units as an initial equity grant. Madsen previously had been president of Panera Bread. He also spent 15 years at Darden Restaurants, including a nearly 10-year stint as president and chief operating officer. He was named interim CEO in November of 2023, after the resignation of Dave Boennighausen. Madsen was named permanent CEO on March 6, 2024. Since then he has overseen the launch of a new menu in March of 2025 as well as the installation of digital menu boards. He also instituted operational efficiencies and updated the company's training processes. Christina began his career at Burger King, where he progressed from restaurant manager to franchisee to vice president of global operations and training to senior vice president of franchise operations for the West Division. He went on to join Church's Chicken, now Church's Texas Chicken, as executive vice president of U.S. operations. He went on to be the fried chicken chain's chief executive officer before joining Tijuana Flats. In a release announcing the transition, Christina said he was looking forward to his new role. 'I'm honored to lead Noodles & Company at such a pivotal moment,' Christina said in a statement. 'This is a standout brand with a unique, revitalized menu, strong culture, and tremendous runway for growth. I am grateful for the opportunity to have joined the company under Drew's leadership and look forward to leading a laser-focus on operational excellence as well as enhancing our menu offerings, to unlock long-term value for our guests, team members, franchisees and shareholders.' Chairman of the board Jeff Jones thanked Madsen for his service and expressed enthusiasm about Christina taking on a new role. 'On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank Drew for his steady leadership and service,' Jones said in a statement. 'We're pleased he will continue to provide guidance as a board director, given his vast industry experience and leadership as we have undertaken our brand revitalization work to date, and he has our full support.' Of Christina, he said 'Joe's experience as a CEO at multiple restaurant concepts, combined with his leadership style and passion for operations excellence, will set Noodles up well for future success.' Contact Bret Thorn at Related Articles Joe Christina joins Noodles & Company as president and chief operating officer Noodles & Company rolls out long-anticipated new menu Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Panera franchisee files for Chapter 11, marking EYM Group's third bankruptcy petition in a year
You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter. EYM Café — a former operator of at least 13 Panera Bread cafes in Eastern Texas — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, court records show. Per the EYM Café bankruptcy documents, the former Panera operator had little to no assets, and between $10 million and $50 million in debt owed to at least 100 creditors. The bankruptcy documents show that EYM Café owes rent to 13 different landlords, $550,000 in federal taxes to the Internal Revenue Service, and $354,714 in Texas state taxes. EYM Café is operated by Eduardo Diaz as part of EYM Group. Pizza Hut franchisee, EYM Pizza and KFC franchisee, EYM Chicken — also operated by Diaz — separately filed for bankruptcy in July 2024, and June, respectively. Following bankruptcy proceedings, EYM Pizza shuttered and sold more than 77 Pizza Hut restaurants. Additionally, 10 months prior to filing for bankruptcy in June, EYM Chicken abruptly closed about 25 KFC restaurants in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. EYM Café's Chapter 11 filing reflects ongoing legal and financial issues with the group. In March 2024, EYM Group, which at the time operated 142 Pizza Hut locations across Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit against Pizza Hut, alleging a breach of contract. Later that year, Pizza Hut countersued EYM Group for failing to pay royalties on time, which led to a legal dispute that was later settled when EYM Pizza filed for bankruptcy following a precipitous decline in sales. According to Google and Yelp listings, many of the Panera Bread cafes operated by EYM Group have since closed. Contact Joanna at Sign in to access your portfolio
