Love Panera? Today’s the day you’ve been waiting for – the brand announcing the opening of their first proper store in Utah. I use that caveat as fans of the restaurant group previously needed a plane ticket to order from a Panera menu in Utah; right now the only location in the Beehive can be found through ticketed security at SLC International.
That location was long mooted as a beach head operation, set to spur further growth into the state. And here we are, fans of their toasted baguettes can start their happy dance. Riverton has been selected as the launch location, looking to join the increasing roster of names at Mountain View Village. A variety of national, regional and local names have opened up shop in the development over the past 12 months. Buzzy Las Botellas, replete with ritzy menu and entertainment from live fire dancers was the latest.
Panera are famed for their soups and sandwiches, with plenty of hearty options offered. French onion soup routinely tops best of lists for the brand, while classic sandwiches built on freshly baked bread are always well regarded; indeed the 2,000 location strong chain are notable for having an on site baker – typically creating the good stuff each and every day. Salads, rice bowls, and flatbreads (the most recent menu addition) roundup a relatively affordable menu. Like many large national operations, they attract a loyal following wherever they open. One expects that more locations will follow on from the Riverton launch, but at the time no further moves are confirmed at time of press.
Here’s the full press release on the upcoming opening, courtesy of Mountain West Commercial Real Estate:
. . .
c(MWCRE), a leading commercial real estate firm, is thrilled to announce its representation of Panera Bread in their groundbreaking standalone restaurant in Riverton, Utah. The highly anticipated project, spearheaded by MWCRE agents Stephanie Buranek, Russ Harris, and J.R Moore, marks the first-of-its-kind standalone Panera Bread location in the state.
“We are delighted to introduce our first standalone location in Utah,” said a Panera Bread spokesperson. “This momentous milestone signifies our commitment to expanding our footprint and providing an unparalleled dining experience to the vibrant community of Riverton.
The upcoming Panera Bread establishment, situated in the heart of Riverton, is set to revolutionize the local dining landscape with its unique architectural design and cutting-edge amenities. This extraordinary development is a testament to Panera Bread’s commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience for its loyal patrons.
MWCRE agents J.R Moore, Russ Harris, and Stephanie Buranek represented Panera Bread in the transaction.
“We are honored to have played a pivotal role in assisting Panera Bread in opening its first location in Utah,” J.R Moore said. “Collaborating with such a renowned brand has been an exciting journey, and we are thrilled to have facilitated this milestone achievement.
This standalone Panera Bread location is poised to become a thriving hub for both residents and visitors, offering an extensive menu of freshly baked bread, wholesome soups, delectable salads, and flavorful sandwiches. With an emphasis on quality ingredients and a warm, inviting atmosphere, Panera Bread continues to redefine the casual dining experience.
MWCRE represents Panera Bread in their expansion plans which include opening several more locations throughout the state. Currently, Panera Bread has another location located inside the Salt Lake City International Airport.
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Panera’s announcement comes on the heels of several national operators eyeing up Utah for their expansion plans. In preceding years Raising Cane’s and In N Out both made big splashes, and commensurate lines of cars. Jack In The Box made the headlines most recently, with their South Salt Lake store set to open tomorrow – Wednesday June 21st.
Image credit, Panera Bread.
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Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC; I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV shows.
I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have covered the Utah dining scene for the better part of fifteen years. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”. Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.
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