Panera Bread store closures: See a list of shuttered locations as the fast-casual chain charts 2026 growth

Six months into a turnaround plan that includes a refreshed menu and a renewed commitment to the customer experience, Panera Bread is growing at a healthy clip. So far in 2026, the fast-casual has opened 23 new bakery-cafes, including 15 company-owned locations and eight franchised ones, a spokesperson told Fast Company. And at least 25 additional locations are expected to open before the year is out. The growing footprint comes after CEO Paul Carbone announced his “Panera Rise&#822...