Food and Beverage
PANERA TAKES BREAKFAST INTO ITS NEW ERA WITH SAVORY AND SWEET NEW BREAKFAST MENU
Items including Bacon Double Take and Protein-Packed Steak & Wake Breakfast Sandwiches, along with Limited Edition CinnaTops and CinnaScrambles now available at bakery-cafes nationwide
ST. LOUIS /PRNewswire/ — From savory to sweet, Panera Bread is bringing the “Cinna-mmm” this June as it continues its menu transformation with a suite of new and limited-edition breakfast items sure to wake up any morning meal. Now available at bakery-cafes nationwide, the new breakfast responds to guest preferences, bringing more bacon, new proteins and offering creative spins on popular bakery items.
New Breakfast Sandwiches Deliver Crave-Worthy Flavor
Panera Bread’s commitment to delicious and satisfying breakfast options continues with the introduction of new breakfast sandwiches.
- Bacon Double Take: We heard our guests wanted more bacon, and this sandwich delivers! This sandwich boasts double the bacon of a traditional Panera breakfast sandwich, along with two types of cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
- Steak & Wake: This limited time, premium offering features marinated, thin-sliced steak served on Panera’s artisan Ciabatta bread. Be sure to try this limited-time option before it’s gone!
- Rounding out the new breakfast offerings is the Ham Egg & Cheese, providing a new protein option for those who enjoy a more classic breakfast sandwich experience.
Savory and Sweet Collide with All-New CinnaScrambles
Panera Bread is shaking up the breakfast menu with the introduction of CinnaScrambles. This innovative offering combines classic breakfast sandwich ingredients with the chain’s beloved warmed cinnamon roll for a unique and delicious sweet and savory experience. Available starting at $5.39*, CinnaScrambles come in two varieties:
- Sausage CinnaScramble: Featuring savory sausage, scrambled egg, and melty American cheese, all nestled on a warm cinnamon roll and finished with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. This option can be customized with bacon for those who prefer a different twist.
- CinnaScramble: For those who crave a sweeter start to their day, this CinnaScramble features fluffy scrambled eggs and melty American cheese on a warm cinnamon roll, finished with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Summer Just Got Even Sweeter with Limited Time CinnaTops
The menu Cinn-ovation doesn’t stop there – The brand has taken also its iconic cinnamon roll to the next level with the introduction of CinnaTops. These abundant, over-the-top treats feature a delicious cinnamon roll base topped with icing and your choice of an iconic Panera bakery item – there’s a variety for every sweet tooth including Candy Cookie, Choco Chipper Cookie, or Fudgy Brownie.
Starting at $4.79*, CinnaTops are a limited-edition summer treat, so don’t miss out! Guests will love this rich and flavorful new way to experience some of Panera’s most popular bakery items.
“We’re thrilled to introduce exciting new breakfast items to our bakery-cafes nationwide as part of our ongoing menu transformation,” said Alicia Mowder, SVP of Product Strategy & Insights, Panera Bread, “These delicious offerings will feature sweet, savory and protein-packed options to kickstart your day, including options that feature our signature cinnamon rolls – a customer favorite that are baked for guests in our cafes. This is just the beginning of our commitment to providing an even more delightful breakfast experience for our guests.”
Want to fuel your mornings and quench your thirst all summer long? Panera is currently offering their most valuable Unlimited Sip Club deal yet. New subscribers who sign up by August 31 will get 3 FREE MONTHS of endless drinks to pair with delicious new breakfast menu items!**
In April, Panera began its largest menu transformation ever, refocusing on innovating and enhancing the core Panera items guests love the most: Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and Mac & Cheese. Filled with more than 20 new and enhanced menu items, the brand’s New Era offers guests better value through enhanced portions and lower price points. The launch of these breakfast items is another step in the brand’s ongoing transformation process, focused on giving guests the right combination of taste, quality and value.
To join MyPanera to receive the latest updates on Panera’s exciting menu innovations, visit PaneraBread.com.
About Panera Bread
Our first bakery-cafe opened in 1987, founded with a secret sourdough starter and the belief that the best part of bread is sharing it. That vision led to the invention of the Fast Casual category with Panera at the forefront, serving as America’s kitchen table centered around our delicious menu of chef-curated recipes that are crafted with care by our team members. We make food that we are proud to serve our own families, from crave-worthy soups, salads and sandwiches to mac and cheese and sweets. Each recipe is filled with ingredients we feel good about and none of those we don’t because we are committed to serving our guests food that feels good in the moment and long after. While our company is now nearly 2,200 bakery-cafes strong, our values and belief in the lasting power of a great meal remain as strong as ever. We spend each day filling bellies, building empowered teams and inspiring communities. Nothing beats breaking bread together.
As of May 28, 2024 there were 2,182 bakery-cafes, company and franchise, in 48 states and Washington D.C., and in Ontario, Canada, operating under the Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co.® names. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast casual restaurant companies in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels. For more information, visit panerabread.com or find us on Twitter (@panerabread), Facebook (facebook.com/panerabread) Instagram (@panerabread) or TikTok (@panerabread).
*Participating cafes only. Substitutions or customizations may increase cost. Prices and items vary by cafe. Menu price for delivery is higher and fees apply.
**Offer valid only for a new subscriber, which is a person that has never had an Unlimited Sip Club subscription through any name, email address, address, or phone number, who signs up for a monthly Unlimited Sip Club subscription through 11:59 p.m. CST August 31, 2024. Eligible new subscribers who sign up for a monthly Unlimited Sip Club subscription through 11:59 pm CST August 31, 2024 will receive their first three months for free. Offer will be revoked if Panera determines, in its sole discretion, that person has ever had an Unlimited Sip Club subscription for any amount of time. Offer may expire without notice due to error, fraud, computer error, electronic or technical malfunctions, or other unforeseen circumstances. Other restrictions may apply. Unlimited Sip Club subscription is available for registration and redemption in participating U.S. cafes. Must be MyPanera member and at least 18 years of age to register. Registration available online only (including in-cafe kiosk). You may cancel at any time. If you do not cancel either before your renewal date or the expiration of any promotional or trial subscription offer, your stored payment method will automatically be charged $14.99 plus tax for a monthly subscription and will be charged on a recurring monthly basis every 30 days thereafter. To cancel subscription online, visit Manage Subscription section at www.panerabread.com/UnlimitedSipClub or on the Panera Bread app. Subscription provides eligible subscribers the following subscription benefits: drip hot coffee, iced coffee, hot tea, fountain soda beverages, and bubbler drinks (e.g., iced teas, lemonades, and other bubbler beverages) once every two hours during normal bakery-cafe business hours, including unlimited refills. Beverages may vary by location and time of day. Excludes all other beverages, including, without limitation, packaged beverages, smoothies, frozen blended drinks, hot chocolate, cold brew iced coffee, and espresso and cappuccino beverages. Customizations, including, without limitation, added espresso and syrups (e.g., vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, and caramel) are not included in subscription monthly or annual price. Upcharges apply. Other additions (e.g., milk, skim milk, almond milk, half & half, and sweeteners) are included in monthly or annual subscription price, but availability may vary by location and time of day. Limit one subscription per person. Excludes catering orders and orders placed on third-party delivery sites. Panera reserves the right in its sole discretion to offer additional or different subscription benefits to members based on geographic location, home bakery-cafe, program participation, period of recurring subscription, or other criteria. Other restrictions may apply. Visit here for complete terms: https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/mypanera/subscription/terms-and-conditions.html.
SOURCE Panera Bread
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Recipe of the Week
Simple, Satisfying Meals for the New Year
Meals for the New Year: While you’re easing your family back into routines in the new year, simple, wholesome meals can help you stretch your grocery dollars further and find your rhythm in the kitchen again. This Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl satisfies both eyes and stomachs through a combination of black beans, eggs and sauteed vegetables.

Simple, Satisfying Meals for the New Year
(Family Features) While you’re easing your family back into routines in the new year, simple, wholesome meals can help you stretch your grocery dollars further and find your rhythm in the kitchen again. Satisfying and approachable recipes that come together quickly using a dependable base ingredient like beans are resonating with home cooks, helping take the pressure out of cooking. Grown, cooked and canned in America, Bush’s Recipe Beans add plant-based protein and fiber to any dish, making it easy to achieve new year’s goals while bringing flavorful meals with high-quality ingredients to the table. For a warm, colorful way to start your morning without spending extra time in the kitchen, consider this Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl, which satisfies both eyes and stomachs through a combination of black beans, eggs and sauteed vegetables. Or put a Mediterranean twist on lunch and dinner with this Greek Dense Bean Salad, a bright, fresh dish that includes chick peas and cannellini beans. Visit bushbeans.com for more meal ideas that help you cook more, spend less and gather with loved ones.
Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 2- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 2 cups cooked sweet potatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) Bush’s Black Beans, drained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 fried eggs
- 1 avocado, sliced
- cotija cheese, crumbled
- lime wedges, for serving
- In large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onions and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers are softened, 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add sweet potatoes, black beans and chili powder; stir to combine. Cook until potatoes and beans are warmed through, 4-5 minutes.
- Divide bean mixture between two bowls. Top each bowl with fried egg, avocado slices and crumbled cotija cheese. Serve with lime wedges.

Greek Dense Bean Salad
Prep time: 15 minutes Servings: 6-8 Dressing:- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cucumber, grated, excess water drained
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh dill, chopped
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 can (16 ounces) Bush’s Chick Peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) Bush’s Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1 cucumber, seeded and diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Greek dressing (directions below)
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce (directions below)
- chicken skewers (optional), for serving
- To make dressing: In food processor or blender, blend olive oil; red wine vinegar; lemon juice; Dijon mustard; garlic; oregano; and salt and pepper, to taste, until well combined. Set aside.
- To make tzatziki sauce: In bowl, stir yogurt; cucumber; lemon juice; olive oil; garlic; dill; and salt and pepper, to taste, until well combined. Set aside.
- To make salad: In large bowl, combine chick peas, cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, olives, feta cheese and parsley; toss with dressing.
- Top with tzatziki sauce and serve with chicken skewers, if desired.
- Chef’s tip: Store leftover tzatziki sauce separate from salad.
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recipes
Easy Bites for the Big Game
Easy Bites: Whether you’re tailgating with friends or hosting a watch party at home, every football fan needs a game plan to crunch, dip and cheer their way through opening kickoff, halftime and right down to the final play of the game. These Burger Bowls feature all the classic ingredients of a great burger, just without the bun. Pulled pork, another tailgating treasure, gets an instant upgrade with the crunch of a fresh coleslaw topper and zesty pickled celery and jalapenos on the side.
Last Updated on January 15, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Easy Bites for the Big Game
(Family Features) Whether you’re tailgating with friends or hosting a watch party at home, every football fan needs a game plan to crunch, dip and cheer their way through opening kickoff, halftime and right down to the final play of the game. Some of the best game day grub is hearty and savory but adding layers of flavor and texture can take recipes to the next level. For example, these Burger Bowls feature all the classic ingredients of a great burger, just without the bun. A tasty option for gluten-free guests or those who are cutting carbs, the bowls are made with Dandy Iceberg Lettuce from Duda Farm Fresh Foods, which boasts a legacy of quality, innovation and consistency in fresh produce cultivation since 1926. Pulled pork, another tailgating treasure, gets an instant upgrade with the crunch of a fresh coleslaw topper and zesty pickled celery and jalapenos on the side. The winning play is to use crisp, fresh celery for the best flavors and a satisfying crunch with every bite. Since celery is 95% water and high in fiber, it leaves fans feeling comfortably full and ready to root for their favorite team. This season, keep your snacks fresh and healthy while winning prizes like product coupons and gift cards to stock up for the next game through the Dip It to Win It Sweepstakes. Visit dudafresh.com to learn more and find additional game day recipes.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pickled Celery and Jalapenos
Recipe courtesy of The Adventure Bite Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 hours Servings: 9-10- 4 1/2 pounds pork shoulder or Boston butt
- 26 ounces sweet and spicy barbecue sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh cracked black pepper
- fresh sandwich buns
- Dandy Celery, cut and pickled
- jalapenos
- coleslaw (optional)
- potato salad (optional)
- baked beans (optional)
- Place pork in slow cooker.
- Mix barbecue sauce, garlic and pepper. Pour over pork shoulder.
- Cook on low 8 1/2-10 hours or high 6-7 hours.
- Shred meat and serve on buns with pickled celery and jalapenos. Top with coleslaw, if desired. Serve with potato salad or baked beans, if desired.

Burger Bowls
Recipe courtesy of Casa de Crews Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 Burger Bowls:- 2 cups French fries, homemade or frozen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Dandy Iceberg Lettuce, shredded
- 2-3 Roma tomatoes, diced
- pickle chips or spears, chopped
- cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- To make burger bowls: Cook French fries according to package directions.
- In medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and saute until translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add ground beef to skillet, breaking up meat with spatula. Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper; brown until cooked through. Drain and discard excess liquid and grease.
- To make burger sauce: In jar, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika well to combine.
- Assemble bowls with layer of shredded lettuce, 3-4 ounces ground beef, diced tomatoes, pickles, cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup fries.
- Drizzle with burger sauce and mix well.
- Tip: Burger sauce can be made in advance and stored in refrigerator in jar with airtight lid.
Easy Bites for the Big Game
SOURCE: Duda Farm Fresh Foods
Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Hits $8 Million Donation MilestoneLink: https://stmdailynews.com/culvers-thank-you-farmers-project-hits-8-million-donation-milestone/
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Food and Beverage
Papa Johns and Google Cloud Reimagine the Future of Food Ordering to Better Serve Customers
Papa Johns is partnering with Google Cloud to roll out an AI-powered omnichannel ordering system using Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience, bringing voice and text ordering to apps, web, phone, kiosks and in-car systems.
american pepperoni pizza with chilli pepper and parmesan cheese
Papa Johns and Google Cloud Reimagine the Future of Food Ordering to Better Serve Customers
Papa Johns is betting big on AI-powered convenience.
At NRF 2026 in New York, the pizza chain announced a major transformation of its digital ordering experience—aimed at delivering faster ordering, improved accuracy, and real-time personalization for its 150 million-plus customers worldwide. The update is powered by Google Cloud’s newly expanded AI solution, the Food Ordering agent, part of Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience. The key takeaway: Papa Johns is the first restaurant brand to bring these new omnichannel ordering capabilities to market—moving beyond basic chatbots and into what Google Cloud calls the era of agentic commerce, where AI doesn’t just answer questions, it actively completes tasks and improves outcomes.From chatbot to “agentic” ordering
Food Ordering agent is designed to unify voice and text ordering across the places customers already interact with the brand—without forcing them to repeat themselves or start over when they switch channels. Instead of treating app ordering, phone ordering, kiosks, and in-car systems as separate experiences, the platform supports high-quality voice AI agents across:- Mobile apps
- Websites
- Telephones
- Kiosks
- In-car systems
What Papa Johns is building with Google Cloud
Papa Johns says the new system is designed to make ordering “faster, smarter, and more seamless than ever before.” The company’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Kevin Vasconi, framed it as more than a product refresh.“Papa Johns is a digitally-driven business and, as such, one of our strategic priorities is investing in our technology to deliver a more seamless experience across our assets and owned channels, better connect with our customers, and support greater efficiency across our operations by leveraging data and AI,” Vasconi said. “We’re using Google Cloud’s Food Ordering agent to reimagine what’s possible for our customers. This isn’t just an app update; it’s a fundamental shift in how our customers interact with our brand digitally, making it faster, smarter, and more seamless than ever before.”The new capabilities focus on three areas that tend to create the most friction in food ordering: deals, complex orders, and repeat purchases.
Intelligent Deal Wizard: fewer abandoned carts, more confidence
One of the most common reasons customers abandon carts is uncertainty—Did I pick the best deal? Is there a better promo code? Papa Johns’ Intelligent Deal Wizard is positioned as a personal concierge that automatically applies the best value combinations. The benefit is twofold:- Customers spend less time hunting for discounts
- Papa Johns reduces cart abandonment and builds loyalty through instant value
Advanced Voice & Group Ordering: making complex orders easier
Group orders are where ordering systems often break down: multiple people, multiple changes, special instructions, and constant edits. Papa Johns’ Advanced Voice & Group Ordering is built to capture that revenue without requiring human intervention. By handling natural language nuances and real-time modifications, the system aims to improve order accuracy even when the request is complicated—exactly the kind of scenario where mistakes can lead to refunds, remakes, and lost customers.No-tap reordering for Papa Rewards customers
Pizza ordering is often habitual. Many customers reorder the same items, especially loyal customers. With the new experience, the agent can identify returning Papa Rewards members and proactively ask if they want to reorder their most recent purchase. That no-tap flow matters because it shortens the distance between intent and checkout—turning a routine craving into a completed order in seconds.Why it matters: omnichannel is now the expectation
Google Cloud’s Carrie Tharp, vice president of global solutions and industries, described the shift as a move beyond the chatbot era.“The retail industry is entering the era of agentic commerce, where AI is an engine for business value,” Tharp said. “By being the first to deploy our omnichannel Food Ordering agent, Papa Johns is moving beyond the chatbot era to create a fluid, intelligent experience that meets hungry customers wherever they are, whether they are in their car, on an app, or at a kiosk.”That’s the core point: customers don’t think in channels. They think in outcomes.
- Ordering hands-free while driving
- Reordering in one step from the couch
- Using a kiosk quickly while picking up
What’s next
Papa Johns will showcase the technology at the Google Cloud booth 5507 at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in NYC, offering live demos to attendees. The company expects to roll out these capabilities to customers nationwide by the end of 2026.About Papa Johns
Papa John’s International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA) opened in 1984 with one goal: BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA. Papa Johns says it uses high-quality ingredients, including fresh, never frozen original dough made with six ingredients, real mozzarella cheese, and vine-ripened tomato sauce. The company operates more than 6,000 restaurants across approximately 50 countries and territories.About Google Cloud
Google Cloud provides AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools, offering an integrated AI stack built on planet-scale infrastructure and custom-built chips. Organizations in more than 200 countries and territories use Google Cloud as a technology partner.Resources
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