Panera Bread plans to hit the road – literally – with new locations in U.S. airports and travel centers. As part of a development deal with the fast-casual concept HMSHost will open two Panera locations in 2020, one each in Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s Concourse E and Salt Lake City International Airport’s Concourse A.
HMS plans to open additional Panera airport and travel plaza locations throughout 2020 and beyond. In addition to Panera's traditional menu offerings, these locations will feature the chain’s digital kiosk ordering system. Customers will also be able to use the Panera app and its Rapid Pick-Up when placing orders.
“Panera is uniquely positioned to fill the void between quality and convenience for hungry travelers, offering the same better-for-you menu options they know and love from our traditional bakery-cafes, with all the speed they need while in transit,” said Dan Wegiel, Panera's executive vice president, chief growth and strategy officer. “The HMSHost partnership expands consumers' access to the brand, delivering on our vision to bring Panera closer to those who hunger for our food wherever, whenever and however they choose."