With the return of warm weather, Panera Bread has announced the addition of summertime salads to the menu, including the debut of the new Southwest Caesar Salad. Both the new Southwest Caesar Salad with Chicken and the returning Strawberry Poppyseed Salad will be available at Panera bakery-cafés nationwide beginning April 5.
MyPanera members have the opportunity to be the first to try the new Southwest Caesar Salad with Chicken, through exclusive early access to the item for a limited time now.
The Southwest Caesar Salad features crisp romaine tossed in Caesar dressing, a drizzle of chipotle aioli, blue corn tortilla strips, grilled chicken breast, chunks of fresh avocado, grated parmesan cheese and cilantro.
“Panera’s southwest spin on Caesar salad takes the flavor to new levels—adding spice and a unique crunch that turn this classic dish into an exciting new offering I think our guests are going to love,” says Claes Petersson, head chef and chief culinary innovation officer for Panera Bread. “And of course we’re always happy to see Strawberry Poppyseed Salad back on the menu for the season – not only is it a perennial guest favorite, it’s a sign the flavors of summer are right around the corner.”
The Strawberry Poppyseed Salad features romaine, chicken, mandarin oranges, fresh strawberries, pineapple and blueberries, tossed with Panera’s poppyseed dressing and topped with roasted pecan pieces. The seasonal offering is only available during spring and summer months during peak strawberry season.
“We always look to reward and bring exciting perks to our MyPanera guests, and we are thrilled to once again offer early access to a delicious new item,” says Eduardo Luz, chief brand and concept officer for Panera Bread. “We view MyPanera as an extension of the warmth we show our guests in our bakery-cafés— for us, it’s about creating meaningful relationships and delivering personalized, disruptive value with every Panera experience.”