News

Panera challenges customers to get healthy

January 3, 2014

Panera is hoping to drive sales with a new weight loss challenge to celebrate the new year. The "Panera Lose It! Challenge" includes menu items that had previously been on the chain's "secret menu," called the Power Menu, according to The St. Louis Post Dispatch.

How it works

Participants must strive to lose five pounds in six weeks by choosing food from the Power Menu's high-protein, low-carb, veggie bowls, wraps and salads. They can track their progress with a free app that calculates calories burned, minutes exercised and pounds lost. The app also lets users see other members' journeys, and MyPanera members will have chances to win weekly rewards and a vacation grand prize.

Panera first launched the Power Menu in 2013, but marketed it as a "secret," using social media to let MyPanera members and brand fans/followers know about the two breakfast bowls and four lunch/dinner combos. None had been available on the main menu until now. Although four will still remain a secret, the Power Chicken Hummus Bowl and the Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl are now on the restaurants' main menu boards.

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