Panera Bread is launching its to-go format in New Jersey

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Panera Bread is introducing an all-digital bakery-café concept in New Jersey and its first location in Newark.

Located at 635 Broad St., Panera To Go optimizes convenience. The store features dedicated shelving for quick pickup, updated ordering kiosks, a fully digitized menu and a new tracking screen with more detailed order status. It does not provide seating.

With fewer front desk tasks and simplified processes, Panera Bread says the format allows employees to “focus solely on meeting the individual needs of a guest on the go.”

According to the company, the company-owned branches will employ 35 to 40 people.

Mike Faga is a regional operating partner. “We are thrilled to open the first-ever Panera in Newark,” he commented. “We look forward to expanding our presence in this wonderful community and providing our New Jersey guests with the delicious food and impeccable service they have come to expect from Panera.”

An evolving concept

With more than 2,200 restaurants nationwide, Panera Bread has 84 locations in New Jersey. The eatery is popular for its soups, salads, sandwiches and drinks.

Although the St. Louis, Missouri-based bakery-café chain is known for its dine-in experience and cafe atmosphere, it has explored different options in recent years to meet evolving customer needs. This includes increasing the number of locations with drive-thru lanes, introducing a quick pickup option and introducing ghost kitchens.

Launched in 2022, Panera To Go serves densely populated areas where there is no traditional dining location.

The format allows the company to meet these markets’ demand for fast service and maximum convenience. After opening test locations in Chicago and New York City, the company has begun rolling out Panera To Go in other parts of the country.

Following its grand opening on December 2nd, Panera To Go in Newark will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m

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