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Panera is Leading the Way with Calorie Facts on Menus

By: Tanya Jolliffe : 3/15/2010 12:41:38 PM : 214 comments : 15,607 Views

The Panera Bread Company announced last Wednesday they will introduce new calorie containing menu boards.

Panera has willingly shared full nutrition information on their web site for a while. We used their information to share our Panera Bread Food on the Run review. Now in addition to complete product nutrition information, you can also find an online nutrition calculator to evaluate and customize choices before your next visit. So with their existing commitment to complete disclosure, why the need to change the menu boards?

New York was the first to require restaurants to post menu calorie content with Philadelphia and California not far behind. We shared over a year ago that the Yum Brands, Inc. fast food giant will post calorie counts on menus voluntarily across the country. The parent company of popular fast food chains such as KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Long John Silver's are on track to have calorie counts on menu boards of more than 3,200 corporately owned restaurants nationwide by January of next year.

Panera Co. plans to have calorie counts posted on their menu boards by the end of March of this year in their 585 corporately owned stores compared to the current 147 stores that already post the information. This would also include Saint Louis Bread Co. and Paradise Bakery & Caf� locations as well. There are an additional 1,380 franchise owned restaurants that will not be expected to immediately display the calorie information but Panera expects they will eventually follow suit.

The Bottom Line

Stanford Graduate School of Business researchers found when calorie content was posted in New York City Starbucks there was a 6 percent reduction in calories sold per transaction. Chief Concept Officer, Scott Davis, reports Panera has seen an increased interest in the "You Pick Two" options in those stores where calorie counts are currently posted. With a potential mandate for nationwide calorie disclosure for chain restaurants looming and the increased cost associated with producing different menu boards for corporate stores, it isn't hard to understand why Panera is jumping in to voluntarily get this information in place nationwide.

However, for many of us, only having immediate access to calories without protein, carbohydrates, fiber or sodium doesn't give us a complete picture to make an informed decision at the point of purchase. Also, most of us will not know if our local Panera is a corporately owned or franchise run establishment and if calorie information will be posted.

The bottom line -- If you want to make a fully informed calorie and nutrient wise decision when planning to eat at Panera, do your homework online before heading to your local restaurant.

What do you think about this decision by Panera? Does it change your views about Panera as a fast food option?

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Comments (Scroll to end to leave a comment)

CALLIKIA 8/23/2010 9:45:55 AM	Panera has always seemed more health focused than other chains. I hope to one day see every restaurant providing nutritional information to customers! It makes it much easier to bargain out a meal, mix and match, and create the healthiest option for yourself!	214
SUMMERGIRL6311 8/11/2010 11:42:08 AM	I currently use Panera's nutrition calculator after I return from eating there. Having the calorie counts right there when I order will certainly help me make better choices.	213
HEALTHYONE2008 6/25/2010 8:00:26 PM	This is great news. I will have to try them out.	212
DRRORO 5/12/2010 10:06:36 AM	I think what Panera is doing is great. Jason's Deli is a similar food chain with organic food and nutritional values posted.	211
BASKETLADY6 4/8/2010 5:37:33 PM	This is wonderful! Panera has delicious foods, full of healthy ingredients (as well as unhealthy ones!), so it will be great to know what is what. Since it's a nationwide chain, it will help when we travel.	210
AMYHARDY68 3/27/2010 7:44:15 AM	It think its WONDEFUL! It will make eating out so much easier! I hope there will be a day when all restaurants will do this! It will help us be more informed and it will encourage the restaurants to cook healthier and smarter!	209
HELLO_LINDSEY 3/22/2010 12:36:17 PM	I visited a St. Louis bread company (in what else...St. Louis) a few weeks ago and noticed the calories on the menu. Having them there right in front of me definitely helped me make a calorie conscious decision. It will also make me visit again when i am out on the road and want to make a healthy choice quickly and easily.	208
CJANEFITANDTRIM 3/21/2010 10:14:30 PM	I think it's great that Panera Bread is doing this voluntarily. It would be great if all restaurants were required to post the information. When I'm planning to eat out, I try to look up information online beforehand and decide in advance what to order. But there are times when I'm with a group of people that I end up someplace I didn't expect to go, and it would be very helpful to have the nutrition information available, wherever it happens to be.	207
SISSYFEB48 3/21/2010 5:58:28 PM	This will help make informed choices for the rest of the day.	206
SJCHICA44 3/20/2010 4:55:33 PM	I absolutly love panera and I am so glad that they are ahead of the game!!! They have so many options that fit into a healthy life style.	205
WRITERGIRLMEL 3/20/2010 3:42:26 PM	I think this is great and hope all restaurants jump onto the bandwagon. Calorie count information may not give us a complete picture, but it gives us part of it, and to me, having a partial picture is better than having none of it when I haven't anticipated being in a restaurant and, therefore, haven't done my homework beforehand.	204
ELAINEKIDO 3/20/2010 2:11:20 PM	I love panera I eat there once in a while,up to yesterday,after leaving the Doc with DH we went there for lunch,we both had chicken salad and leave out the bread,because we don't eat bread,	203
JANEY2010 3/19/2010 8:22:56 PM	I love Panera and I eat there often...there are many choices on the menu that fit into a healthy lifestyle!	202
JPANESE 3/19/2010 2:33:55 PM	I go to Panera Bread and will continue to go Panera Bread. 8 D I am glad for any restaurant that makes more nutrition information available. I love the tomato soup and the bread bowl. Don't guilt me into not ordering what I already enjoy!	201
ARMATTHAEI 3/19/2010 12:08:46 PM	Since I have become aware of Panera Bread, I have been impressed at how they encourage healthy choices.	200
PJVIRTUE 3/19/2010 10:47:22 AM	I love Panera's. they are being accountable so I can be accountable!	199
N0023005 3/19/2010 12:41:24 AM	yes. p bread	198
HRDSMILES 3/18/2010 6:30:35 PM	The Fuji Apple Chicken salad with reduced fat Balsamic dressing is to die for, and less than 500 calories!!!!! I never knew that was so good for you!	197
FLAMENM 3/18/2010 4:37:24 PM	I would rather eat at a local place that makes everythign from scratch from locally-sourced goods.	196
VANANDEL 3/18/2010 11:58:57 AM	About two years ago I went into a Panera Bread and asked if they had any nutrition information on their food. They handed me a book with each item listed! I quickly copied the foods I like and others that were better choices. I was so thrilled to know what I'm eating. I think this newest effort is even better. Good for Panera Bread!!!!	195
DRPEPPER51 3/18/2010 9:59:45 AM	My friends wanted to go to Panera this week so I went on line and made my choice. When I got there they were out of the item I had chosen. I explained I was trying to watch my sodium intake and the clerk pulled out their binder that listed all the items and nutrient count. She quickly scanned the foods and gave me several suggestions. Very helpful and I didn't go over my sodium for the day.	194
STORMY11221 3/18/2010 2:39:44 AM	I like Panera very much. I can't eat there often because they are costly. I know that they have quite a few things that are healthy, and now we can make decisions based on the calories and nutrients we are looking for at that timel	193
DOTSLADY 3/18/2010 12:53:38 AM	Panera's good about their gluten-free menu, too. I have not been 'contaminated' in this very gluten-y environment and I'm grateful to them for their options. Now, if we could get the MSG out of their salad dressing ... :P	192
NODOAHNUT 3/17/2010 9:07:50 PM	I love Panera Bread! We always have it at work so I'm glad I will be able to stay on track!	191
BACKONTRAK 3/17/2010 8:43:46 PM	Sounds good on paper, but it is about more than calories. The sodium and fat content of most of their items is too high. Solve that issue and I would eat there every day!	190
LIVINGONMYTERMS 3/17/2010 7:35:16 PM	I think it is a great idea! There is not one where I live but it is nice to know that when traveling I have options with nutritional information. I look forward to all food establishments doing this if they can, since it is good for business.	189
IM_GETTIN_THIN 3/17/2010 6:26:08 PM	this is WONDERFUL news! :)	188
ROYALETBONE 3/17/2010 6:22:41 PM	It's a great trend- and I'm glad that Panera is one of the ones leading the way.	187
LOVEBYTHEBEACH 3/17/2010 3:55:07 PM	My office was ordering one day and I got online with the nutritional information to order something and ended up eating the kids turkey sandwich with lettuce tomato and mustard. .. I could have brought that from home for a LOT cheaper so I skip it.	186
MDTWEETY 3/17/2010 3:49:15 PM	Yes, this development must be new. One time when I went there and asked for nutrition info, they brought out a super thick binder with miniscule typeface from somewhere behind the counter.	185
MOCOLOCO 3/17/2010 1:40:25 PM	I think it's great that more and more restaurants are providing this information. I always thought many items on Panera's menu were laden with calories and have stayed away from most of their food, but at least this shows people that not everything is as healthy as they seem.	184
KAS1001 3/17/2010 1:19:50 PM	Had just checked out their nutrition online a couple of days ago after stopping in for dinner...easy to use and love the fact you can customize the item (s) and total the individual items for a meal total. Also, the online breaks out all the nutrients, not just the calories unlike what they'll post in the stores. Agree with others who said they're more apt to go some place in spite of "high" calorie items because I can plan ahead for it.	183
ARCHIMEDESII 3/17/2010 11:52:11 AM	I think it's a good idea. It'll just show folks how calorie laden some foods are. Most people don't realize that a muffin can contain 500+ calories. This might help folks make better choices.	182
SFCHICKYINFL 3/17/2010 11:48:54 AM	This is really inspiring! As my recognition of nutritional content of restaurant foods has become more front-of-mind, I'm continually disappointed that I'll pick something from the menu that seems to have a healthy description, to then go home and find out that there was one ingredient that just blew it out the window. I like the trend of getting the information more readily available as you are making choices at the restaurant.	181
AL_ROX 3/17/2010 11:04:19 AM	This is great! Also, props to AppleBees for adding a calorie friendly meal selection and a Skinny Margarita to their menu that I love.	180
MOIRA80 3/17/2010 9:52:55 AM	don't know the company as they're not in the UK, but I do think that knowledge is power, and people are often surprised by the calorie count of foods. If they can look at two foods they like and know that one has fewer calories, then they would likely pick the lower calorie option	179
NJCOROLLA 3/17/2010 9:13:01 AM	Absolutely love Panera. Very happy to see the nutrition values so my choice is the best possible for me. Love all the food so making a good choice based on calories will be easy, not a sacrifice at all.	178
JUHOEG 3/17/2010 8:23:11 AM	love Panera	177
DUMPINGTHEJUNK 3/17/2010 7:05:48 AM	I'm on the road a lot for work and Panera is my 'go to' place where I know I can find something healthy and tasty. The hard part is to totally ignore the goodies but with the great soups and salads it is a litttle easier!	176
HERE4MYKIDS 3/17/2010 6:59:33 AM	LOVE PANERA BREAD	175
ANGELALEGNA 3/17/2010 6:34:49 AM	I like this idea and I hope more resturants follow suit.	174
SNIKWILLS 3/17/2010 1:10:41 AM	I used to work @ Pamera....Do check the sodium and the amount of sugar in things esp. the dressings! People make the food, so the sizes and amounts of spreads will vary.Everything in Panera is frozen (soups,dough,cookies)and thawed, then heated, except the salads. You can buy the bread, make the stuff and control the portions on your own at home. They could also come down a bit in price, but they're not the only ones with pricey quick food.Oh, and they are called St. Louis Bread, but only in Mo.	173
MUMZELLA 3/17/2010 12:39:55 AM	Panera was the first restaurant I noticed had calorie information which made it so much easier to have lunch with my friend. I was so excited to be able to find something I could eat and not worry about the calories. I'm thinking if more restaurants start doing that, then more healthy choices will be available as people slowly switch to the less caloried foods, too embarassed to admit they are eating so much.	172
MOMNIOWA 3/16/2010 10:31:15 PM	I LOVE Panera! They have some great choices on their menu and their on-line nutrition info has been accessible for quite some time now. I only wish all restaurants were required to be as thorough with listing the nutrition facts on their menus!	171
STEPHGRZ 3/16/2010 9:51:58 PM	i like this and i hope bigger sit down chains will do the same like chiles and 99's	170
SANDYBILLINGS 3/16/2010 9:47:54 PM	We dont have a Panera in Vermont. I hope that other restaurants will start doing this. Also hope they will offer more sensible healthy foods with less calories,fats and sodium.	169
JESAK327 3/16/2010 9:08:05 PM	I love panera and it will be easier to make appropriate choices when eating there.	168
KAITLYNCAMPBELL 3/16/2010 8:09:30 PM	I think this is an awesome idea because I feel like I can go now and not have to spend the time online researching how many calories my meal will be. It will truly be fast food now :)	167
XENA1956 3/16/2010 7:17:42 PM	I have never been to one of these places but may have to try it sometimes. One of my friends is always trying to get me to go.	166
BIGTOSS03 3/16/2010 7:12:10 PM	It is definitely a step in the right direction. I have eaten there once or twice and felt guilty about it. This info does however at least makes me feel better when I visit the restaurant the next time.	165