Panera Bread Discontinues Flatbread Pizzas in Major Menu Overhaul
In a significant menu revamp, Panera Bread has announced the discontinuation of its once-popular flatbread pizzas, originally launched in 2020. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the flatbread offerings—which included cheese, margherita, chipotle chicken & bacon, pepperoni, and four cheese flavors—tapped into the surge of off-premise dining. However, as consumer habits shifted back to traditional dining, the chain decided to eliminate the pizzas in a menu overhaul that saw 48 other items cut.
Launched in 2024, the revamped menu emphasizes Panera’s core offerings like sandwiches, salads, mac and cheese, and soups, with an effort to simplify the selection for customers. Despite the initial popularity of flatbread pizzas, discussions on platforms like Reddit reveal that some patrons feel they overshadowed Panera’s traditional menu options.
The menu change also introduced nine new dishes, alongside modifications to existing items, enhancing portions and value by increasing steak and chicken quantities while implementing new dressings and spice blends. Notably, Panera has shifted to using par-baked bread from third-party vendors, allowing for in-store baking, marking a departure from its commitment to freshly baked bread.
While some dedicated fans have expressed disappointment over the discontinuation of flatbread pizzas, the move aligns with Panera’s strategy to refocus on its bread-and-butter items amidst evolving dining trends. Whether nostalgia for the flatbreads stirs customer demand for their return remains to be seen, but for now, they join the ranks of discontinued menu items cherished by loyal customers.
For those still craving the unique flatbread experience, creative home recipes, like a triple cheese French onion flatbread, have emerged as alternatives.
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