Thursday, September 13, 2012

Panera Bread coming to Bedford

Panera Bread is currently scheduled to open before the end of the year at 213 Burlington Road. This is the same building as Bamboo, Flatbread Pizza and The Melting Pot. Unlike most Panera Breads, this location is primarily going to be focusing on take out and delivery with a minimal seating area.

As part of the construction, some additional parking spaces are going to be built in front of the building (which is currently grass) facing Burlington Road/MA62.

There are existing traditional Panera Breads located in Burlington, Lexington (recently opened) and Waltham. Panera Bread also owns Paradise Bakery & Cafe which has locations primarily in the Southwest  but does have a location at the Prudential Center in Boston.

It's interesting to note that Panera Bread actually has a Chief Concept Officer to work on new restaurant concepts. They are forecast to open about 120 new stores this year.

I don't know if this Panera Bread will have a different name (Panera Bread Express?). It's interesting that Bedford appears to be one of the first locations for this different concept. With the nearby office parks, it seems like they are targeting office workers with this location.

What do you think? Is this a good idea?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is this still Bedford?tcould this be a traffic nightmare at that new recreated intersection. However Panera smart business planning ,right off the route3 ramps. How long did this take to pass the town. Seems rather fast.

Adam Schwartz said...

Yes it's still Bedford although Burlington is less than 1 Block away.

The building got approval a few years back to add additional parking spaces if more businesses opened.

The intersection will be busier. In December Stonebridge at Burlington which is a 110 unit senior center is scheduled to open on the new Middlesex Turnpike (previously Network Drive) in Burlington. I'm guessing once that is open, the traffic light at that Intersection (view it here http://goo.gl/maps/6x7C3) will go from flashing yellow to a standard light. That will probably make it easier to get in and out of 213 Burlington Road.

Adam Schwartz said...

Looks like Panera Bread is aleady looking for a Restaurant Manager - See Bedford Panera Bread.

This location appears like it will be a company owned location instead of a franchise.

Anonymous said...

Hope this place will be better managed than the Lexington location.