September 8, 2010
Panera Bread’s Ohio franchisee, Breads of the World, has announced the placement of new menu boards in all 48 bakery-cafes it owns throughout central and southwest Ohio. The updated menu boards will display the calorie count for each menu item and will be available in the greater Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton markets September 15.
A benefit of the new initiative includes Panera Bread's heightened awareness of the ingredients in menu items such as the Tuna Sandwich, which has had its calories and fat content cut in half thanks to a new and improved recipe. More attention also is being given to items such as Panera's Chicken Soup, which now boasts reduced sodium.
"Including calorie information on all of our menu boards is another way Panera Bread can be transparent about the high quality food we make," said Jeff Rains, president of Breads of the World. "Being an integral part of the movement in the U.S. to eat healthier sets Panera Bread apart as a leader in the industry. Our hope is that central and southwest Ohio consumers appreciate the new menu panels and feel more informed as they make choices on what to have for breakfast, lunch or dinner."
Full product descriptions also will be available to all Panera Bread guests in hand-held menus near the door of each bakery-cafe and at the cash register counter.