Panera has launched 'Salad Stuffers', a new menu item that transforms its salads into portable, sandwich-style handhelds. The items are now available nationwide across the chain's US locations from Wednesday.
Customers can order any Panera salad as a Stuffer, including the Green Goddess Cobb Salad with Chicken or a Caesar Salad. The chain is also introducing two new options: the Steakhouse Salad Stuffer, featuring premium steak and complementary toppings, and the Santa Fe Salad Stuffer, inspired by bold Southwestern flavours. Pricing ranges roughly between $8 and $13.
According to Panera Chief Marketing Officer Mark Shambura, the concept proved popular during testing, with guests praising the new Italian Stuffer Roll. Panera compares the Salad Stuffers to its soup bread bowls, suggesting that the combination of salad and bread is set to become a menu icon.
The launch is part of Panera's RISE transformation strategy, which focuses on menu innovation, enhanced customer experience, better value, and growth across locations. It follows recent menu enhancements, including a 10-item Mix & Match value menu priced at $4.99, which allows customers to combine half sandwiches, half salads, soup cups, and a rotating seasonal item.
Last month, Panera also unveiled a new beverage lineup, including Passionfruit Paradise and Dragonfruit Sunset Energy Refreshers, as well as Cherry Lime Fresca and the returning Strawberry Basil Lemonade Fresca. Panera currently operates 2,251 bakery-cafes across 48 US states, Washington, D.C., and Ontario, Canada, under the names Panera Bread or Saint Louis Bread Co., as part of Panera Brands.
