Panera has unveiled plans to overhaul its menu in April.
Calling it the “biggest menu transformation in brand history,” the chain on April 4 is introducing nine new menu items and revamping 12 classics, per a press release.
A company representative told CNN that this update differs from last year’s change, which involved a significant chunk of menu items being eliminated. The representative confirmed that kitchen sink cookies, soufflés and kids menu items will stay.
Panera’s senior vice president of product strategy and insights, Alicia Mowder, said in the press release, “We are getting back to Panera at its best with these menu updates that are centered completely on our guests and what they love about us.”
MyPanera members can get an exclusive sneak peek of the new menu over the upcoming weeks, according to Today.
Here’s a list of the menu items outlined in the press release:
New sandwiches
1. Chicken Bacon Rancher
This sandwich features grilled chicken, bacon, white cheddar and ranch dressing served between slices of black pepper focaccia bread.
2. Ciabatta Cheesesteak
This sandwich features sliced steak, provolone, caramelized onions, Peppadew peppers and garlic aioli served between slices of ciabatta bread.
3. Toasted Italiano
This sandwich features black forest ham, soppressata, provolone, sliced pepperoncinis, red onion, romaine, Greek dressing and garlic aioli served between toasted French baguette bread.
4. Tomato Basil BLT
This sandwich features bacon, tomatoes, mixed greens, garlic aioli, and salt and pepper seasoning served between tomato-basil miche bread.
New salads
1. Balsamic Chicken Greens with Grains
This salad combines romaine and mixed greens. They’re tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette with a blend of farro and red rice and sliced cucumbers. It’s topped with sliced pepperoncinis, feta, avocado, pumpkin seeds and Green Goddess dressing.
2. Mediterranean Chicken Greens with Grains
This salad combines romaine and mixed greens. They’re tossed in Greek dressing. The salad is then topped with grilled chicken, hummus, farro and red rice, red onions, sliced cucumbers, feta, Peppadew peppers and Panera’s Mediterranean seasoning.
3. Ranch Cobb Salad
This salad combines romaine and crisp mixed greens, which are tossed in ranch dressing and topped with bacon, pickled red onions, grape tomatoes, feta and a hard-boiled egg.
4. Southwest Chicken Ranch
This salad features romaine tossed with ranch dressing, grilled chicken and chipotle aioli. It’s topped with grape tomatoes, avocado, fire-grilled corn, cilantro and blue corn tortilla strips.
New menu item
Bacon Mac and Cheese
This new Panera entrée is made with shell pasta and a blend of cheeses — including the brand’s white cheddar sauce — and topped with bacon.
According to the press release, some of Panera’s new menu options will be below $10, subject to location, including:
- Mediterranean Chicken Greens with Grains.
- Ranch Cobb Salad.
- Tomato Basil BLT.
Revamped items
The press release states that 12 menu items will get “recipe enhancements,” adding “more to each bite with more chicken and steak on many salads and sandwiches.”
Per Today, the menu items getting upgrades are:
- BBQ Chicken Sandwich.
- Bravo Club.
- Caesar Salad.
- Chipotle Chicken Avo Melt.
- Fuji Apple Chicken Salad.
- Greek Salad.
- Green Goddess Cobb Chicken Salad.
- Grilled Chicken and Avo BLT.
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken Melt.
- Strawberry Poppyseed Salad.
- Toasted Frontega Chicken.
- Turkey & Cheddar Sandwich.
The press release mentioned that the updates aim to create “innovated favorites, enhanced portions and better value.”