PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ
Panera Bread Bakery-Café franchises operate fast-casual restaurants specializing in the retail sale of fresh bakery goods, made-to-order sandwiches, soups, salads, mac & cheese, custom roasted coffees, cafe beverages, and related merchandise in a warm, inviting environment with seating, free Wi-Fi, and options for dine-in, carry-out, catering, and delivery. The business model includes franchising single units via Franchise Agreements or multiple units via Area Development Agreements, offering 'Core' (larger) and 'Small Box' formats that support all sales channels, with franchisees required to build baking facilities and use specified technology platforms. They target the general public across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack segments, competing in the quick-service restaurant industry with emphasis on wholesome, high-quality food.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 3.5% national advertising fund + 2% local advertising fund + 0.4% marketing administration fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: The statement of average net sales is based on 1,050 company-owned Bakery-Cafes and 1,084 Franchisee-owned Bakery-Cafes open during the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
* Extracted average net sales for franchisee-owned bakery-cafes directly from the 'STATEMENT OF AVERAGE NET SALES' table on page 1. According to footnote 4 on page 2, 'Net Sales' has the same meaning as 'aggregate gross amount', which is equivalent to gross revenue in this context. No profit or EBITDA data was provided for franchisee-owned units.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ Compares to Other Fast Food Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 86% of Fast Food franchises
- Higher than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Food
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ Current | $1.3M - $4.7M | $35K | 5.0% | 1,105 |
| Burger King | $2.1M - $4.7M | $50K | 4.5% | 19,732 |
| MCDONALD'S | $1.5M - $2.6M | $45K | N/A | 12,772 |
| AFC | $45K - $151K | $6K | 9.5% | 3,572 |
| SONIC DRIVE-IN | $1.7M - $3.1M | $15K | 5.0% | 3,441 |
| JIMMY JOHN'S | $366K - $728K | $35K | 6.0% | 2,647 |
Fast Food Average 127 franchises | $605K - $1.5M | $35K | 6.1% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 127 Fast Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+26 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchisees (2017 - 2018)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchise?
The total initial investment to open a PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchise ranges from $1,266,805 to $4,651,324. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchise is $2,595,936.
How many PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ has 1,105 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1993.
Can you get an SBA loan for a PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchises. Historical data shows 3 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ franchisees, with an average loan amount of $2,296,500. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ a good franchise to buy?
PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFÉ shows several positive indicators: established brand with 1,105+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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