Catering Lead

Panera hires operations and supply execs to support turnaround. The chain onboarded Chris Finazzo as COO and Victor Siqueira as chief supply chain officer, both RBI alums, as it continues an ambitious overhaul. Published Sept. 29, 2026 Dive brief: * Panera Bread has appointed Chris Finazzo as chief operating officer and Victor Siqueira as chief supply chain officer, according to a Monday press release. * CEO Paul Carbone said the two executives would play significant roles in advancing Panera RISE, a turnaround program Carbone announced last fall. * Both executives bring substantial restaurant experience to the fast casual chain, which could help it as it seeks to reach $7 billion in sales by 2030. Dive insight: Finazzo joins the company from United Parks & Resorts, which owns SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Finazzo spent five years at the parks company as chief commercial officer, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, he spent more than seven years with Burger King, rising to be president of the burger brand's North American operations. In that role he "oversaw marketing, operations, franchising, field operations, finance and development for nearly 10,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada and Latin America," according to the press release. In a LinkedIn post, Finazzo said he looked "forward to spending time in our cafés, learning from our team members and franchisees." Finazzo will use lessons drawn from this learning period to "sharpen execution in our cafes, deepen consistency across the system and deliver the kind of guest experience that keeps our guests coming back," according to the press release. Last year, Carbone said Panera's turnaround would depend on operational changes that improved order accuracy and on making back-of-house labor more efficient. Siqueira joined Panera from Oakberry, an açaí berry bowl and smoothie brand. He oversaw Oakberry's supply chain efforts and consumer packaged goods division while the brand grew from 300 locations to 1,100 stores in about 50 countries, per the press release. Like Finazzo, he brings experience from Restaurant Brands International, where he served as VP of supply chain at Tim Hortons. He also worked at Popeyes and Burger King. This experience with substantial multi-national brands could help Panera as it tries to improve its menu. Siqueira succeeds Gregg Waterman, who led Panera's supply chain operations starting in 2020, according to Waterman's LinkedIn profile. Panera has made several major changes in the last few months. In July, it limited the previously unlimited Sip Club. In August, the chain named a new CMO and overhauled its rewards program, abandoning its longstanding surprise-and-delight system for a points-based model.

Panera Bread closing beavercreek location. By Brooke Jones, WHIO.com September 01, 2026 at 1:11 pm EDT BEAVERCREEK - A restaurant at The Greene Town Center is closing. Panera Bread will cease operations today, Sept. 1, according to a sign on the door. "We'll miss you," the sign said. The sign also points customers to locations on Dayton-Xenia Road, Far Hills Avenue, and Wilmington Pike.

Panera introduces cozy fall flavors to menu. Sep 1, 2026 Panera Bread is officially welcoming fall with a flavor-packed menu designed to deliver guests the ultimate cozy comfort. The bakery-cafe chain's seasonal lineup includes warm sandwiches, hearty new soups, the seasonal Harvest Medley Salad, and the return of guest favorites like the Chocolate Chip Bagel and Ciabatta Dippers. Panera's signature fall soups are back, led by the new Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup. The comforting seasonal soup lineup includes: * NEW Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup: Italian-style sausage, lasagna ribbon pasta, and parmesan cheese, in a ricotta tomato broth topped with asiago cheese * Rustic Baked Potato Soup: Homestyle-cut potatoes, bacon and chives in a seasoned creamy broth topped with even more bacon * Autumn Squash Soup: A seasonal fan favorite, featuring a rich blend of butternut squash and pumpkin simmered in vegetable broth with select ingredients, with honey, cinnamon and a hint of curry, finished with sweet cream and topped with roasted pumpkin seeds Also returning are several warm, hearty sandwiches, and well as the ultimate companion for dipping: Ciabatta Dippers. Inspired by guests who love to dip their sandwiches into every last spoonful of soup, Ciabatta Dippers bring the best of both together in one craveable offering. The French Ciabatta Dipper and Chicken Pesto Ciabatta Dipper are joined by guest favorites including the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt, the Toasted Italiano, and the Chicken Bacon Rancher. In the bakery case, Panera is debuting a new, seasonal PB&J Cookie - a fresh take on a childhood favorite, featuring a soft peanut butter cookie with a gooey grape jelly filling. Panera's fall bakery lineup includes: * NEW PB&J Cookie - Peanut butter cookie filled with grape jelly and dusted with powdered sugar * NEW Cinnamon Croissant Bites - Mini croissants baked with a sweet cinnamon crunch topping and served with a side of icing * The returning Chocolate Chip Bagel "When the temperature drops, Panera is the place to go - we've crafted a seasonal fall menu that brings warm comfort, nostalgia and exciting new flavors to every occasion," says Scott Uehlein, vice president of culinary, Panera Bread. "From the hearty warmth of our new Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup to the playful joy of our PB&J Cookie, we're bringing everything our guests love about the season to the menu. We're also excited to bring back our beloved Chocolate Chip Bagel, delivering the familiar flavors and traditions our guests look forward to each fall." Rounding out the seasonal menu is the return of the crisp and colorful Harvest Medley Salad, featuring an abundance of toppings that truly capture the taste of the season, including a bed of mixed greens and fresh arugula, pumpkin seeds, mandarin oranges, and crunchy beet strips. Get better retail baking industry search results. Adding BakeMag tells Google to prioritize bake stories.