As autumn leaves paint the world in warm hues, Panera Bread invites customers to savor the season with its latest offering: the Cranberry Orange Slice.
This seasonal delight is being introduced as part of Panera’s ongoing menu innovation, which saw a major overhaul in 2024. The Cranberry Orange Slice, with its moist texture and vibrant flavors, evokes images of crisp fall mornings and family gatherings. Each bite, studded with whole cranberries and infused with sweet orange notes, carries the essence of fall’s bounty. A touch of sour cream adds a richness reminiscent of homemade baked goods, while the sprinkle of coarse sugar on top mimics the season’s first frost.
Chef Monika Sudakov described the slice as “rife with orange zest and just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the citrus without masking it.”
The Cranberry Orange Slice is the perfect companion for chilly mornings when a little extra comfort is needed or for lazy weekend afternoons spent with a good book and a steaming cup of tea. It transforms a simple coffee break into a moment of autumnal bliss, encapsulating the cozy essence of the season in each bite.
More Than Meals: The Bakery-Cafe’s Dedication to Ethical Dining
Panera Bread’s introduction of the Cranberry Orange Slice aligns perfectly with the company’s “The Familiar, Made Fantastic” philosophy. This guiding principle drives Panera’s chefs and bakers to innovate, creating dishes that satisfy cravings and uphold the highest quality and nutrition standards.
Panera Bread’s ethos, established when its first bakery-cafe opened in St. Louis in 1987, centers on the belief that good food served in welcoming environments by caring individuals can bring out the best in people. Despite significant growth, with over 2,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada and over 100,000 associates, the company has maintained its core values and mission.
Panera Bread’s Menu Overhaul, Baking Up Change
Introducing the Cranberry Orange Slice is just one part of Panera Bread’s broader strategy to enhance its menu offerings and improve the overall dining experience. In April 2024, the company unveiled its most ambitious menu transformation to date, introducing new and updated items across it’s core categories and bakery offerings. This overhaul aimed to refocus on guest favorites while introducing innovative flavors and better value.
The citrusy treat joins an impressive lineup of bakery items at Panera Bread, including longtime favorites and recent additions like the Almond Pastry and Cherry Pastry.
As tasty as these sweets are, the savory side hasn’t been forgotten. From the Toasted Italiano sandwich, packed with Black Forest ham and soppressata, to the Mediterranean Chicken Greens With Grains salad, Panera continues to push the envelope of what fast-casual dining can mean. The company remains committed to offering a diverse and seasonally appropriate menu.
A dedication to wholesome food has been a Panera cornerstone since its inception. Whether guests are settling in for a cozy meal at their local Panera or grabbing a quick bite through the drive-thru, they can now add a taste of autumn to their order with the new citrus-charged treat.
Ushering in Soup Season
Panera Bread’s new and tantalizing trio of hearty bowls are perfectly timed to warm both body and soul as temperatures drop. Autumn Squash Soup is a returning favorite. This seasonal staple captures the essence of fall in every spoonful, blending rich butternut squash and pumpkin with the warmth of cinnamon, a hint of curry, a swirl of sweet cream, and a sprinkle of roasted pumpkin seeds.
Joining this seasonal classic are two new additions designed to chase away the chill. The Hearty Fireside Chili lives up to its name, offering a bountiful mix of beef, kidney beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes. In a broth seasoned with a blend of chiles and cilantro, it’s the culinary equivalent of a cozy fireside chat.
The new Rustic Baked Potato Soup is a creamy concoction packed with chunks of potato, bacon, and chives in a velvety Monterey Jack cheese sauce, crowned with a melty topping of Asiago cheese.
These new options join Panera Bread’s classic soups, including the Broccoli Cheddar and Creamy Tomato, ensuring there’s a perfect bowl for every autumn mood. Whether paired with a crisp salad or a hearty sandwich or enjoyed on their own, these soups offer a taste of fall’s bounty and the comfort many crave as days grow shorter. Customers can opt for their soup in a bread bowl. The crispy bread adds a pleasing textural contrast, and guests can tear off pieces to dip in their soup, savoring every last morsel.
Mark Shambura, the company’s chief marketing officer, stated, “When it’s soup season, it’s peak Panera season.” Indeed, with these new additions, Panera isn’t just serving soup; it’s dishing out ladles of solace, inviting customers to pause, savor, and embrace the cozy spirit of the season.
