CLARKSVILLE, Ind. — Panera Bread has installed its latest drive-thru in a store located in Clarksville, Ind. While drive-thrus are almost essential to the quick-serve restaurant model, few fast casual brands have ventured to add them.
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| Drive-thru at Panera Bread, Clarksville, Ind. |
Panera Bread began developing drive-thrus for some of its stores in 2005. The company now has 30 drive-thrus in its 1200-plus stores.
Panera spokeswoman Linn Parrish said that the drive-thrus are intended to meet customer demand for speedy service.
"Our goal was to satisfy the customer's need for speed and convenience without compromising or disrupting the warm, inviting environment of the bakery-cafe for our eat-in customers," Parrish said. "We believe we've been able to achieve that in the 30 drive thrus we have today. All of our customers — whether they eat in the cafe, take their food to-go, or pass through the drive-thru — are able to enjoy our freshly-baked breads, high quality food and engaging associates. The company and its franchisees continue to develop drive thrus as appropriate."
To watch the drive-thru in action, click here.
