Panera Bread has introduced what it refers to as the largest menu evolution in its almost 40 years in business. Beginning April 4, the company’s restaurants nationwide introduced a leaner menu that introduces new dishes, freshens up classics, and drops dozens of classic staples. The company insists that the change is about making things simpler and emphasizing the foods customers enjoy most.
This overhaul comes after listening to more than 30,000 customers, as well as consultation with Panera’s own bakery-café teams. Per Panera Executive Vice President for Food and Beverage Chris Kitchens, the new menu is meant to streamline things and make them faster for both customers and employees.
What’s New on the Menu?
With the refresh, Panera introduced nine new offerings, including:
- Toasted Italiano Sandwich with black forest ham, provolone, romaine, and Greek dressing
- Bacon Mac & Cheese
- Ranch Cobb Salad
- Chicken Bacon Rancher
- Ciabatta Cheesesteak
- Tomato Basil BLT
- Mediterranean Chicken Greens with Grains
- Southwest Chicken Ranch
- Balsamic Chicken Greens with Grains
They also refreshed 12 guest favorites such as the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt and Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, with commitments of extra chicken and steak portions.
The Cuts: Almost 50 Items Cut
While new choices have been introduced, many menu favorites of long standing have vanished and enthusiasts are not pleased. According to a report released by Eat This, Not That!, 48 were axed. These range from a variety of sandwiches, soups, baked items, to drinks. The motivation? To simplify the menu and concentrate on the categories Panera indicates are most important: soups, salads, sandwiches, and mac & cheese.
Sandwiches That Are Gone
Some of the most popular missing ones:
- Deli Ham and Turkey Sandwiches
- Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Southwest Chicken Melt
- Roasted Turkey & Avocado BLT
- Toasted Steak & White Cheddar
- Numerous toasted baguette melts, such as the Black Forest Ham & Gouda and Chicken Green Goddess Caprese
- No More Bowls, Pizzas, or Certain Soups
- Panera has eliminated all its grain bowls and flatbread pizzas, including:
- Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Bowl
- Baja and Mediterranean Bowls (with and without chicken)
- Pepperoni, Margherita, and Cheese Flatbread Pizzas
- Vegetarian Autumn Squash Soup and Turkey Chili
Salad and Pastry Cuts
The Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken and the Southwest Caesar Salad are no more. On the bakery front, favorite bagels such as Blueberry, Sesame, and Chocolate Chip have fallen, as have desserts such as the Lemon Drop Cookie, Cranberry Orange Muffin, and Croissant.
Even such mainstays as the Classic Sourdough Loaf and White Whole Grain bread weren’t spared the axe.
Beverage Cuts Hit Hard
Some beverage choices were discreetly eliminated, including:
- Chocolate Latte and its cold counterpart
- Cold Brew and its line of flavor-infused cousins
- Smoothies such as Green Passion and Peach & Blueberry
- Hot Chocolate
- Reduced Fat Chive and Onion Cream Cheese (technically a spread, but missed nonetheless)
Tested First, Then Rolled Out Nationwide
The shift isn’t a total surprise. Panera tested a pared-down menu in select locations back in summer 2023. When they saw the results, they moved ahead with a full launch. In a statement, the company said the new menu offers more choices under $10 and larger protein portions, which they believe adds more value for customers.
The Backlash: Fans Speak Out
The response on the internet was immediate and passionate. Loyal customers went on social media to express their anger. One of them stated, “They eliminated all the good stuff on the menu. This will be a masterclass in how to drive away customers.” Another one stated, “Panera completely remade their menu, made everything worse, and their prices are still ridiculous.”
A third follower expressed their disappointment: “I only had the Asian sesame salad with chicken and was upset when I went into a Panera yesterday and couldn’t find it.”
Recalling Panera’s “Golden Era” Menu
Aside from recent modifications, customers are still lamenting older menu items that disappeared throughout the years. Some of these earlier items have achieved legendary status.
The French Toast Bagel
Formerly referred to as “a marvel of nature,” the French Toast Bagel was a popular favorite for its sweet maple taste and crunchy swirl. It slipped quietly into oblivion amid the pandemic, leaving in its wake a tsunami of nostalgia.
The Beloved Pecan Roll
Warm, gooey, and filled with pecans, the original Pecan Roll was considered superior to Panera’s cinnamon rolls. It was fresh-baked every day prior to Panera’s move to frozen baked goods. Its replacement, the Pecan Braid, falls short of the original.
The “OG” Very Chocolate Brownie
Another gone favorite was the Very Chocolate Brownie. Soft in texture, rich in flavor, it was produced in-store before the chain transitioned to frozen desserts. Supporters reminisce about how it “melted in your mouth.”
Seasonal and Savory Staples, Gone Too
The Pumpkin Muffin was a year-round favorite that enjoyed a crunchy top, caramelized with brown sugar and pumpkin. It was a top-seller. People even enjoyed the tops of the muffins so much, Panera sold them individually for a brief time as “Muffies.”
Other longed-for treats are the Carrot Cake Cupcake with cream cheese frosting and the Turkey Cranberry Flatbread, a warm, comforting sandwich that many called a “mini holiday meal.”
Soups and Salads That Made a Lasting Impression
A few of the older soups at Panera were more than comforting fare they were menu institutions. Gone for a few years now, but still sadly missed, is the Black Bean Soup, a hot and filling vegetarian choice. So is the original Baked Potato Soup, which was chunkier and more full-bodied than the present version.
Fans also recall the Soba Noodle Bowl a miso based bowl with roasted vegetables and buckwheat noodles as a distinct and cheap option that had mass appeal.
The Disappearance of Tortellini Alfredo
Panera’s Tortellini Alfredo was a simple yet crowd-pleasing dish cheesy tortellini in a creamy sauce. It vanished after the pandemic, despite its status as a go-to meal for many. Fans were devastated. One comment summed it up: “I’ve been looking for it ever since. Nothing else compares.”
Charged Lemonades: From Popular to Problematic
One of the most contentious pulls has been the Charged Lemonades. They were a big hit in their initial release but hit some legal problems once two consumers who had pre-existing conditions passed away after consuming them. Panera recalled the beverages in 2024 in response to lawsuits and consumer backlash.
Prior to that, they had already substituted the popular Hibiscus Teas particularly the Prickly Pear and Plum Ginger varieties, which patrons liked for being sugar- and caffeine-free.
A Last Sentimental Guzzling: The Frozen Mango Beverage
Another beverage that still exists in the hearts of fans is the Frozen Mango of the 2010s. Part smoothie, part slushie, it blended mango base with raspberry puree and whipped cream. While sweet and excessive, it was a celebratory indulgence many still crave. Today’s Mango Smoothie is regarded as a more subdued and less thrilling replacement.
What’s Next for Panera?
Panera describes its new path as emphasizing “innovation” in core offerings, improved portions and prices. Panera hopes the streamlined menu makes service better and more efficient in its cafes.
But for many longtime customers, change has had a price. The elimination of beloved items, from the French Toast Bagel to the Tortellini Alfredo, has brought with it a surge of nostalgia and anger.
Whether or not this leaner, more intense Panera can regain those hearts is yet to be seen.
