Operations

Panera taps Radar to boost digital ordering

Photo: iStock

December 15, 2021

Radar, a geofencing platform, will help fast casual chain Panera Bread accelerate the digital transformation of Panera's next-generation cafe design to help streamline online ordering, according to a company press release.

According to PYMTS' recent Order To Eat Report, nearly 60% of all digital restaurant orders were placed via mobile apps, with digital revenue accounting for 50% of restaurant sales in the industry today, over the last 18 months.

"Meeting customers wherever they are has always been a top priority for the team at Panera, and our tech-enabled next generation bakery-cafe satisfied new preferences as we look towards a post-pandemic future," George Hanson, chief digital officer at Panera Bread, said in the release. "Radar's easily adoptable platform has allowed us to get these features up and running quickly so that we don't miss a beat. We're thrilled to work with a trusted partner that shares the same guest-first values that are core to our philosophy."

Radar's geofencing platform enables Panera to offer enhanced and customized digital capabilities, including contactless dine-in and delivery and MyPanera loyalty membership identification — both in-cafe and through a drive-thru lane. Radar also powers more personalized channels for Panera's Delivery, Drive-Thru and Rapid Pick Up options.

"Location services have always played a critical role in creating best-in-class customer experiences, and the pandemic heightened this role tenfold," Coby Berman, co-founder and COO at Radar, said in the release. "Many quick service restaurants have talked about adapting to a new era of fast casual, but not many brands have been able to deliver on this. Panera is making its next generation cafe a reality, and we look forward to continuing to iterate with their team to meet the modern guest's needs and preferences."

Founded in 2016, Radar is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.