Panera Updates Menu with 9 New Items and 12 "Enhanced" Items

Panera has updated its menu for what the fast-casual bakery-cafe chain is calling its "largest menu transformation ever." The menu update affects Panera's core of soups, salads, sandwiches, and mac & cheese with 9 new menu items and 12 "enhanced" classic menu items.

According to Panera, the "enhanced" menu items are meant to offer better value through better portions and lower prices.

Other changes include:

• More menu options under $10, including the Tomato Basil BLT, Ranch Cobb Salad, and Mediterranean Greens with Grains at participating locations nationwide.
• More chicken and steak on "many" salads and sandwiches.
• New salad dressings, meats, cheeses, spice blends, and grains.

The new Panera menu items include the following:

• Toasted Italiano - Black Forest ham, soppressata, provolone, romaine, red onion, sliced pepperoncini peppers, garlic aioli, and Greek dressing on toasted French Baguette.
• Chicken Bacon Rancher - Grilled chicken, applewood-smoked bacon, aged white cheddar, and ranch dressing on Black Pepper Focaccia.
• Ciabatta Cheesesteak - Marinated sliced steak, provolone, garlic aioli, caramelized onions, and zesty sweet Peppadew peppers on Ciabatta.
• Tomato Basil BLT - Applewood-smoked bacon, mixed greens, vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic aioli, salt, and pepper on Tomato Basil Miche.
• Mediterranean Chicken Greens with Grains - Romaine and mixed greens tossed in Greek Dressing, topped with a whole grain blend of farro & red rice, grilled chicken, hummus, feta, red onions, zesty sweet Peppadew peppers, sliced cucumbers, and a sprinkle of Panera's Mediterranean shawarma seasoning
• Southwest Chicken Ranch - Romaine tossed in ranch dressing, topped with grilled chicken, a drizzle of chipotle aioli, avocado, grape tomatoes, flame-grilled corn, cilantro, and blue corn tortilla strips.
• Balsamic Chicken Greens with Grains - Romaine and mixed greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette, topped with a whole grain blend of farro & red rice, sliced cucumbers, sliced pepperoncini peppers, avocado, feta, pumpkin seeds, and a drizzle of Green Goddess dressing.
• Ranch Cobb Salad - Romaine and mixed greens tossed in ranch dressing, topped with grape tomatoes, pickled red onions, applewood smoked bacon, feta, and a hard-boiled egg.
• Bacon Mac & Cheese - Shell pasta in a tangy, aged white cheddar sauce, topped with applewood smoked bacon.

"Enhanced" classic menu items include: 

• Bravo Club Sandwich
• Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt
• Spicy Buffalo Melt
• Smokehouse BBQ Chicken
• Grilled Chicken & Avo BLT
• Turkey & Cheddar Sandwich
• Toasted Frontega Chicken
• Green Goddess Chicken Cobb Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Caesar Salad with Chicken
• Greek Salad
• Greek Salad with Chicken
• Fuji Apple Chicken Salad

The updated menu is also meant to "streamline and simplify operations for Panera's cafe teams." As part of the update, Panera has discontinued several menu items, including warm bowls, pizzas, and breaded chicken sandwiches.

Photo via Panera.