Panera Gets Toasty With New Croissant Sandwiches and a Whole New Feel-Good Vibe

Panera has introduced indulgent new menu items to honor life’s little moments and a brand new initiative to celebrate the spring season.

In a press release, the company explained that it is expanding on its premise to connect with friends and family via a meal with a new campaign, “It Just Meals Good.”

This initiative wants customers to utilize the quick-service eatery to celebrate “various life moments and connections that make each meal truly meaningful.” Panera added that it’s the small moments that matter, from time spent with friends to even some time alone in one’s car.

Chief Marketing Officer Mark Shambura said, “With our new brand platform, ‘It Just Meals Good,’ we are bringing energy, confidence, and a renewed focus on what makes Panera unique while leaning into our heritage. We are going beyond our menu and celebrating the power of a meal that is special and worth savoring — and the best thing is our guests get to decide exactly what that means for them in the moment.”

Panera’s Croissant Sandwiches Are a Part of the Eatery’s Feel-Good Vibe

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Croissants have long been considered an indulgent food. The bread product is wrapped in romantic, European vibes. Therefore, that aesthetic adds to the indulgent image Panera is trying to cultivate with its new Croissant Sandwiches. They feel like a pause from the hustle, a little luxury in the day.

Leading the way in Panera’s seasonal menu update are the all-new limited-time Croissant Toast Sandwiches, which bring a flaky, buttery goodness to lunch and dinner. Croissant Toast Sandwiches feature a sandwich bread made from croissant dough and two choices of fillings:

• Croque Monsieur Croissant Toast: A bold twist on the classic ham and cheese — layers of Black Forest ham, gooey provolone and asiago, and a rich caramelized onion–gruyere spread, all nestled in flaky croissant toast.
• Fromage Croissant Toast: A cheese lover’s dream featuring melted provolone and American cheese, sweet caramelized onions, arugula, and garlic aioli, served on crisp croissant toast for an elevated take on a timeless favorite.

Vice President of Culinary Scott Uehlein said, “Our new Croissant Toasts are an innovative gamechanger for our sandwich menu. These unique sandwiches are curated with an all-butter, flaky croissant sliced bread, delivering a truly delicious product and experience like nothing Panera has had on its menu before.”

Uehlein continued, “Its amazing appearance is only surpassed by its taste – a perfect balance of a crisp crust and buttery, layered interior that makes these menu items truly special. It’s everything our guests love about croissants and sandwiches made into two irresistible offerings.”

The refreshed Panera menu lineup also debuts a vibrant Strawberry Chicken Caprese Salad, packed with bold, spring-forward flavors. Fan favorites are making a comeback, too. Guests can once again enjoy the beloved Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad and the flavorful Mexican Street Corn Chowder, now available at Panera cafés across the country.