NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Kelly Jackson (703) 283-4435

PANERA BREAD RISES IN ROANOKE

Company opens first bakery-cafe in Roanoke Valley , creating 80 new jobs;

Grand opening benefits Military Family Support Center

ROANOKE, Va. (July 31, 2006) – With today’s opening of the first Panera Bread in the Roanoke Valley, residents now have the opportunity to experience the taste of handcrafted, freshly baked breads and a wide variety of unique menu items offered daily at Panera Bread, the nation’s leading bakery-cafe concept. Panera Bread today welcomed its first customers at 4202 Electric Road in Roanoke County .

            The skilled artisan bread bakers at the Panera Bread bakery-cafe will bring customers 16 different varieties of hand-crafted, freshly baked bread each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. These specialty breads serve as the foundation for the entire bakery-cafe menu— including made-to-order sandwiches, tossed-to-order salads and soup served in bread bowls.  In addition, Panera Bread offers a variety of fresh bagels, pastries, sweets and a selection of hot and cold beverages.  

             “Every day, at every bakery-cafe in the country, our artisan bakers handcraft and bake each loaf from scratch, using all-natural ingredients to ensure the highest quality breads,” said Leo George, general manager of the new bakery-cafe. “We are thrilled to introduce to Roanoke Valley residents our artisan bread-making tradition and the warm, welcoming environment of the Panera Bread bakery-cafe.” 

            Panera Bread bakery-cafes, defined by special features like real china, overstuffed chairs and cozy conversation areas, have set the standard in the popular and growing specialty foods market segment. In addition, free wireless fidelity (WIFI) Internet access is available. The new Panera Bread bakery-cafe will create approximately 80 new jobs for area residents.                

            “We are very excited to welcome our newest business partner, Panera Bread, to Roanoke County ,” said Doug Chittum, Roanoke County ’s director of economic development. “Their product line and business philosophy is a positive new addition to our retail community and their beautiful new building adds a fresh new presence to the South County shopping district.”

Supporting the Military Family Support Center

            Panera Bread is proud to support the Roanoke Valley ’s Military Family Support Center . As part of its grand opening today, the company presented a donation to the organization, which assists the families of service men and women serving in the military. Panera Bread also will be accepting donations in its cafe.  

            “We are most appreciative of the attention brought to the families of our deployed military through Panera’s recognition of our center,” said Roger Talmadge, president and CEO of the Military Support Center . “By making us the focus of their grand opening fund-raising campaign, not only will more people understand how they can express their gratitude to these families through the center, but also the center will have the additional funds it needs to reach more of these courageous families as each deployment demands. We salute Panera for supporting the troops and their families in ways that count.”

            The bakery-cafe in Roanoke County is the first of two openings planned in the area. An additional Panera Bread bakery-cafe will open near Valley View Mall in Roanoke in 2007.
  

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NEWS UPDATE

 August 9, 2006

Panera's Roanoke location breaks sales record

WDBJ Channel 7 reported that Panera Bread did so well in it's opening week in Roanoke County it broke a nationwide record. The restaurant on Route 419 had the best opening week of any Panera in the nation, beating more than 900 others.   

Panera Bread owns and franchises bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names. The company is the leader in the emerging specialty bread/cafe category due to its unique bread combined with a quick, casual dining experience. Panera Bread operates 897 bakery-cafes in 36 states. Additional information is available on the company's website, www.panerabread.com.