Panera Bread to Debut in Petaluma

Local fans of Panera Bread have a reason to be happy. The bakery-cafe is set to open up shop on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 401 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 700, in Petaluma, to the public on Thursday, August 8.

As part of this grand-opening, Panera Bread has teamed up with Redwood Empire Food Bank to help raise funds for the fight against food insecurity.

Over their history, Panera Bread and its franchisees have worked to help combat the problem of hunger by donating unsold bread and baked goods to local organizations in need through its Day-End Dough-Nation™ program, according to a Panera Bread press release.

Collectively, Panera Bread bakery-cafes across the country donated more than $100 million worth of retail bread and baked goods in 2012 as a part of the initiative, and the Petaluma cafe will donate to local hunger relief organizations as well.

Panera will donate $1 to Redwood Empire Food Bank, based in Santa Rosa, for each guest who registers the MyPanera® loyalty program at the new Petaluma location from August 8, 2013 through August 31, 2013.  

“We are thrilled to join the Petaluma community and to team up with Redwood Empire Food Bank to multiply our efforts in the fight against food insecurity,” said Grace Loomer, Panera Bread Joint Venture Partner. “Additionally, we have created 40 new jobs with the new location and hope to further bolster business in the area. We look forward to being part of the community and having them experience our signature Panera hospitality.”