Panera Bread is reintroducing its seasonal lobster menu at select locations in the Northeast, marking the unofficial start of summer. The limited-time offerings include a lobster roll and lobster macaroni and cheese, both made with claw and knuckle lobster meat.
The lobster macaroni and cheese, priced at $12.99 plus tax, combines the chain's Vermont white cheddar mac and cheese with seasoned panko breadcrumbs and buttered lobster meat. The lobster roll, retailing at $23.99 plus tax, features lobster meat tossed in a lemon tarragon mayonnaise dressing on a traditional New England roll. Due to regional sourcing, both items are only available at participating Northeast franchises.
The regional launch is part of Panera's broader corporate restructuring under its 'Panera RISE' initiative. Over the past year, the company has overhauled its core offerings, lowered prices on select items, and opened new U.S. locations. The initiative aims to achieve $7 billion in sales by 2028, reversing a recent earnings slump.
Panera operates more than 2,200 bakery-cafes across 48 states and Washington, D.C. The temporary return of premium seafood items follows a major menu restructuring that began in April 2024, focusing on larger portions of traditional staples like soups, salads, sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese.
