News

NFL players open Panera Bread in Santa Barbara market

February 28, 2012

Panera Bread will open its first Santa Barbara, Calif., bakery-cafe on March 3, co-owned by former USC All-American, NFL player and current ESPN broadcaster Keyshawn Johnson.

The new unit is located in La Cumbre Plaza at 3851 State St., and is the seventh location to open in the Central Coast area.

The menu will include Panera's signature artisan bread offerings, antibiotic-free chicken, organic and all-natural ingredients, seasonal items and more. The new restaurant features comfortable seating, a community table and free Wi-Fi access.

"Panera Bread is a brand that fits so well with the California lifestyle: good food, great ingredients, exceptional customer service in a relaxed atmosphere," Johnson said.

Johnson, CEO of First Picks Management LLC, is the area developer and franchisee for Panera Bread, and has brought fellow USC, NFL and NBA players on board to help the brand's growth in the area.

First Picks Management includes former NFL wide receiver Dennis Northcutt, as well as Terence Newman, Warrick Dunn, Eric Allen, Reggie Bush, Anthony Henry, Keith Rivers, Corey Ivy and Joe Smith.

The First Picks management team is Clarence Mah, chief financial officer; Glenn Mah, chief operations officer and Ingrid Roberts, managing director. The group currently owns franchise rights for the Central Coast and Metro Los Angeles.

Panera Bread Santa Barbara will participate in two charitable programs. Through the Day End Dough-Nation program, unsold bakery products are donated to the Food Bank of Santa Barbara. Additionally, it will support the Community Breadbox program, which ensures that donations made at Panera Bread support the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties, which First Picks matches by 50 percent.

For its VIP invitation-only opening party on March 2, the bakery-cafe will hold a silent auction to benefit the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (DSLRF), formerly the Santa Barbara Breast Cancer Institute. DSLRF's mission is to eradicate breast cancer and improve the quality of women's health through research, education and advocacy.

In partnership with 805 Living and Bridlewood Estate Winery, the grand opening event will feature selections of the bakery-cafe menu paired with Bridlewood wine. Johnson and a number of his partners will be in attendance for the event.