Can Panera’s Turnaround Plan Actually Work? (November 18, 2025)

Panera used to dominate fast casual. Now traffic is falling and leadership is scrambling to turn it around.

In this episode, we unpack:

• How cost cutting changed salads, sides, and the in-store experience
• Why menu complexity and pricing confuse customers
• The barbell strategy Panera is betting on for its comeback
• What we’d do differently on pricing, testing, and customer research

A practical breakdown of what happens when spreadsheets win over the customer experience.

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Episode Links

• Panera lost diners by cutting portions and staff. It’s reversing course to win them back (CNBC)
• Jewelry business that implemented updated pricing strategy

Chapters

• 03:16 Personal Experiences with Panera
• 06:11 Panera's Business Challenges
• 08:50 Consumer Trends and Market Forces
• 11:46 Menu Complexity and Customer Experience
• 14:48 Cost-Cutting Measures and Their Impact
• 18:38 The Role of Younger Consumers
• 21:28 Panera's Turnaround Strategy
• 24:05 Operational Challenges and Brand Management
• 27:00 Pricing Strategies and Customer Perception
• 29:56 Lessons from Other Brands
• 32:52 Thoughts on Panera's Future
• 37:13 The Barbell Pricing Strategy
• 37:55 Consumer Sentiment and Market Positioning

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