Payments

Panera testing CarPay

Provided

September 8, 2022

Panera Bread is testing CarPlay in some stores, allowing loyalty members with iPhones to access the Panera app to place an order from their car dashboards.

"We expect many of our digital-savvy MyPanera members to engage with this new ordering method," a Panera representative stated in an email. "We do not have any exact numbers to share at this time."

The chain, which said last week it was testing AI at the drive-thru, said it expects more customers to interact as the rollout continues and marketing support begins.

"Our overarching goal was to reach our customers where they already are and to also expand into an additional ordering channel with continued growth potential," a Panera spokesperson told FastCasual. "Panera strives to be an early mover and digital innovator in the restaurant industry, making CarPlay a logical next step in simplifying and streamlining the ordering process for our digitally-engaged guests."

Apple, which announced in June that it was enhancing CarPlay in 2023 to take over the user interface on all interior screens, replacing gas gauges and speed dials with a digital version powered by the driver's iPhone,said 98% of new cars in the U.S. come with CarPlay installed.