"According to Paul Carbone, the CEO of Panera Bread, all of these stages "put the guest at the very center of everything we do." He called the RISE strategy "the roadmap that will drive our long-term growth and value creation,""
"Naturally, the chain has a financial goal in mind for this comeback. Its ambition is to make $7 billion in sales by 2028, and the menu revamp will certainly be a big part of that. The new focus will be on high-quality ingredients that people feel are worthy of the price tag, as well as optimizing the menu in a way that offers affordable specials. In November 2025, Panera released its holiday menu, but we thought it was kind of meh."
"Leaning into hospitality and interactions with guests is another key part of the comeback plan. Per the announcement, the chain is planning on "investing in front-of-house labor to deliver an exceptional and personalized experience across all channels and reinvigorating the bakery-cafe as an 'everyday oasis.'" This sentiment is becoming increasingly popular in the fast dining industry, as hiring greeters has also been one of the five big changes the new Starbucks CEO has made in 2025."
Panera is pursuing a comeback through the RISE strategy: Refreshing the menu, Igniting value, Serving guests with excellence, and Expanding the network. The company aims to prioritize high-quality ingredients, optimized menus, and affordable specials to justify prices and drive sales toward a $7 billion revenue target by 2028. Front-of-house labor investments and renewed focus on hospitality aim to make bakery-cafes everyday oases with personalized guest experiences. RISE frames guest-centric operations and long-term growth, with leadership calling it the roadmap to reclaim fast-casual industry leadership. Past innovations and competitive influence underlie expectations for renewed momentum and growth.
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