Panera Bread, the fast-casual pioneer, just unveiled a massive new strategy called “Panera RISE,” designed to guide the brand back to the top of the industry. Essentially, Panera is making some serious moves and significant investments to ensure everything – from your soup to your service – is absolutely excellent.
The Panera RISE strategy is built on four core pillars: Refreshing the menu, Igniting value, Serving guests with excellence, and Expanding the network.
“Panera RISE is a momentum driver, grounded in the areas of differentiation that have made Panera an iconic brand for nearly 40 years,” said Paul Carbone, CEO of Panera Bread. “As we transform our business, we are investing in four strategic pillars that put the guest at the very center of everything we do.”
What Does Panera RISE Mean for Your Next Lunch?
The strategy promises better food and a better experience, focusing on what made Panera a beloved spot in the first place:
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Refreshing the Menu: This is the big one for food lovers! Panera is committing to elevating food quality, variety, and abundance across all dayparts. Think more flavorful, high-quality ingredients and a focus on bakery leadership – which means your bagels and pastries should be even better than before.
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Igniting Value: They understand that quality has to be accessible. Panera plans to deliver carefully crafted food at various price points, ensuring that every meal feels “worth it” and affordable for guests, every single time.
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Serving Guests with Excellence: Panera wants the café to feel like an “everyday oasis” again. This involves investing heavily in front-of-house staff to deliver the signature Panera Warmth – meaning exceptional, personalized service whether you’re dining in, picking up, or using the app.
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Expanding Network: Finally, the company is focused on growth, modernizing its current locations, and building new units to ensure consistent, top-tier operational excellence across all cafes.
The bottom line, as Mr. Carbone put it, is confidence that Panera RISE is the roadmap that will help the brand “reclaim our position as the industry leader in fast casual.”
It looks like the future of lunchtime at Panera is about to get a whole lot tastier and more relaxing!