ST. LOUIS – If you’re from the St. Louis area, there’s a good chance you know the Panera Bread chain as “Saint Louis Bread Co.” or simply just as “Bread Co.” Many Panera locations in the St. Louis region still use the original “Saint Louis” branding, but not all of them do.
Over the last few years, FOX 2 learned that some locations in St. Charles County switched from “Saint Louis Bread Co.” to “Panera” branding in their signage. Additionally, some locations in St. Louis County have opened under “Panera” than the original local namesake.
In recent weeks, discussions about the branding have popped up in various St. Louis community Facebook groups, while some Reddit threads have also questioned how many locations still exist with the “Saint Louis Bread Co.” name.
FOX 2 reached out to Panera to learn more about the “Saint Louis Bread Co.” branding and where it can still be found. A company spokesperson provided the following statement:
“We are proud of our St. Louis heritage, and the standard-size cafes inside the 270 beltway are named St. Louis Bread Co.
The only exception to that are a few smaller cafes that are geared toward on-the-go vs. sit-down guests.”
Presumably, this would suggest that several St. Louis City and St. Louis County locations in Missouri that are east of Interstate 270 still use the “St. Louis Bread Co.” branding. However, for others within the St. Louis metropolitan area, like St. Charles County or the Metro East, it’s not guaranteed.
The chain known locally as “Saint Louis Bread Co.” and nationally as “Panera” was founded in the St. Louis region in 1987 as the “St. Louis Bread Company.” It quickly became a local favorite, so much so that Au Bon Pain Co. Inc. acquired the chain in 1993.
Following the acquisition, the chain was rebranded to Panera Bread nationally while retaining a local namesake for eateries in the St. Louis region.
Today, Panera has more than 2,000 locations across 48 states in the United States, including dozens in the St. Louis area. To find a location near you, click here.