Panera Bread Opens Bakery-Cafe in the Town of Poughkeepsie

    THE TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, October 26, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Panera Bread has opened its newest bakery-cafe in The Town of Poughkeepsie, NY on September 26, 2011. The new bakery-cafe is located at Arlington Square Shopping Center on Dutchess Turnpike (Route 44) in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Plenty of well-wishers were on hand at the event as Panera welcomed friends, local government officials, and the community at large.

The nation's "bread expert," Panera Bread offers a variety of artisan breads and other specialty breads, along with bagels, pastries, baked goods, and hot and cold espresso beverages. The new bakery-cafe in Poughkeepsie is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers hand-tossed salads, signature sandwiches, and hearty soups served in edible sourdough bread bowls.

"We are excited about our continued growth in this market," said Tony Diaz, Operating Partner, Take Home the Bread, LLC, the franchisee. "This is our second location in the Town of Poughkeepsie and we are extremely grateful to the residents of the area for welcoming us and supporting our growth as a community business."

The official opening included a ribbon cutting and Panera Bread's traditional bread breaking ceremony. As part of the celebration, Panera Bread donated $12,500 to Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. Antonetta Gutter, Development Director for Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, states, "Panera Bread is a wonderful example of corporate responsibility and is truly committed to serving their local community. The funds donated by Panera Bread will touch many families in need throughout the Hudson Valley. We are grateful to Panera for their generosity and their continued commitment to supporting Food Bank of the Hudson Valley."

"Panera Bread is committed to pursuing the goal of putting a loaf of delicious, freshly baked bread in every arm across America. We are very happy to support Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and we appreciate their dedication to feeding those in need in our local community," states Diaz.

The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is dedicated to alleviating hunger, while preventing the waste of wholesome food. It is a branch of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and a member of Feeding America, the national food bank network. Feeding America sets standards and acquires food donations from national companies for its 200+ member food banks located throughout the country. Through its relationship with Feeding America, the Food Bank is able to bring millions of pounds of much needed food into the community every year. Also, by working in partnership with other Feeding America food banks throughout the country, the Food Bank is able to play a role in the national response to hunger. For further information on the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, visit www.foodbankofhudsonvalley.org

About Panera Bread:

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,493 bakery-cafes as of June 28, 2011 under the Panera Bread , Saint Louis Bread Co. , and Paradise Bakery & Cafe names. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. The franchisee Take Home the Bread, LLC plans to open 7 new bakery-cafes in the area over the next five years. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.

# # #