Panera: Demonstrates Industry Leading Digital Performance

St. Louis / MO. (pbc) Almost two years after the introduction of Panera 2.0, the initiative has positioned Panera Bread Company as a leading restaurant e-tailer, with end-to-end digital pathways like Rapid Pick Up and Fast Lane Kiosks increasing accessibility for both to-go and dine-in guests. «Our 2.0 cafés are demonstrating that restaurants can leverage technology – not just to improve a standalone function like payment – but throughout the customer journey to heighten and differentiate the total experience», said Ron Shaich, founder and CEO. «From the start, we knew a mobile payment system alone would not be enough to meaningfully improve the guest experience. We needed to use technology to support a better experience from end-to-end throughout the customer journey and we have done just that», said Blaine Hurst, EVP and Chief Transformation and Growth Officer. «Outside of the big three pizza operators, I don’t know of another public restaurant company that has taken this sort of holistic approach, and in turn, experienced the level of digital adoption we are now seeing at Panera». Panera’s digital ordering interfaces also integrate with the Company’s loyalty program – MyPanera – which is used in approximately 60 percent of digital orders, and more than 80 percent of mobile orders through the Panera app. By linking digital orders to the program, guests are able to save their favourites, earn and track rewards, and receive 1:1 tailored content. 2.2 million guests have downloaded the Panera mobile app since Rapid Pick Up was launched nationally in August 2014. The Company has obtained patent protection for aspects of the Panera 2.0 platform.