Panera Bread, known for its warm, inviting atmosphere and high-quality food, has become a favorite for many. However, dining there frequently can add up, especially for budget-conscious customers. Fear not—there are numerous strategies to enjoy Panera’s delicious offerings without breaking the bank. Here’s your ultimate guide to maximizing savings at Panera Bread.
1. Join MyPanera Rewards
The first step to saving at Panera Bread is to join the MyPanera rewards program. It’s free to sign up, and you’ll start earning rewards immediately. Here are the main benefits:
– Welcome Reward: New members often receive a free pastry or other treat just for signing up.
– Birthday Reward: Enjoy a free bakery item on your birthday.
– Surprise Rewards: Panera frequently offers surprise rewards based on your purchasing habits. These can range from free beverages to discounts on menu items.
– Earn Points: Each purchase accumulates points, leading to various rewards.
Make sure to provide your MyPanera card or registered phone number at every visit to ensure you’re earning points and accessing your rewards.
See Also: Panera Secret Menu: Find Your New Favorite Breakfast or Lunch
GET MORE FOOD AT PANERA
When using the Panera ordering kiosk, you can do a bunch of modifications to get more food for less. For example, try modifying a regular Grilled Cheese to be a Steak and Cheese sandwich and save a couple bucks. Also, try “adding extra” of items like cheese or produce as often times you won’t get charged for it.
2. Utilize the Panera App
Downloading the Panera Bread app can further enhance your savings.
The app offers several perks:
– Exclusive Deals: App users often receive exclusive deals and promotions not available elsewhere.
– Order Ahead: Skip the line by ordering ahead, ensuring you get exactly what you want without the temptation of impulse purchases.
– Delivery and Rapid Pick-Up: Save time and potential travel costs by using Panera’s delivery service or Rapid Pick-Up option.
3. Take Advantage of Promotions and Coupons
Panera Bread frequently runs promotions and offers coupons.
Here’s how to stay informed and use them effectively:
– Email Newsletter: Sign up for Panera’s email newsletter to receive updates on promotions, coupons, and special events.
– Social Media: Follow Panera Bread on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They often post limited-time deals and flash sales.
– Coupon Websites: Check coupon websites such as RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, and Groupon for additional savings opportunities.
4. Maximize Meal Deals
Panera offers several meal deals that can provide excellent value:
– You Pick Two: This deal allows you to combine two smaller portions of soups, salads, or sandwiches for a lower price than purchasing each item separately.
– Family Feast: Perfect for feeding a group, the Family Feast includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, and bakery items at a reduced price.
– Seasonal Offers: Keep an eye out for seasonal promotions that offer discounts on specific items or combinations.
5. Leverage Subscription Services
Panera Bread has introduced subscription services that can lead to significant savings:
– Unlimited Sip Club: For a monthly fee of $14.99 (first 3 months are FREE), members of the Unlimited Sip Club can enjoy unlimited coffee, tea, and soft drinks. This is especially cost-effective for frequent visitors.
– Meal Kits and Grocery: Panera’s meal kits and grocery options can be a budget-friendly way to enjoy Panera-quality food at home. Look for deals on these items, especially during holiday seasons.
See Also: Chipotle Menu Hacks That’ll Get You a BIGGER Burrito
PRO TIP
Combine the Sip Club with a discounted gift card (they often sell them for 20% off at Costco or at Panera) and then let the magic happen. From this Reddit thread, “I’m in the SIP club and rarely order food. I buy the gift cards when they are 20% off and typically only will purchase the Tuesday bagel deal or the breads. I always use the kiosk so I’ll get a pop up $2 off entree before check out. Since I go 8-10x a week I stack rewards and will use it all at once.” Free food folks.
6. Share and Save
Dining with friends or family? Share your meal to save money:
– Split Large Portions: Panera’s portions are often generous. Consider sharing a large salad or sandwich to cut costs.
– Bakery Items: Buy a dozen bagels or a box of pastries to share. You’ll often receive a discount for buying in bulk.
7. Utilize Discount Gift Cards
Discount gift cards can be a great way to save money at Panera Bread:
– Buy Discounted Gift Cards: Websites like Raise, CardCash, and Gift Card Granny sell Panera gift cards at a discount.
– Earn Gift Cards Through Rewards Programs: Use credit card rewards, survey sites, or other rewards programs to earn Panera gift cards.
8. Tap into Senior and Student Discounts
Panera Bread offers discounts for seniors and students at many locations:
– Senior Discounts: Some Panera locations offer senior discounts, typically around 10%. Ask your local Panera if they participate.
– Student Discounts: Show your student ID to receive discounts on your order. This is not universal, so check with your local Panera.
See Also: In-N-Out Burger Menu Hacks That’ll Make You Feel Smart
The “CANCEL” TIP
If you’re paying full price for the Unlimited Sip Club, try canceling your membership. Often times this will trigger a “Please Come Back” offer via email for you to come back at a greatly reduced monthly rate for 3-months.
9. Go for Water
Opting for water instead of a soft drink can save you a few dollars per visit.
Panera offers free water, and you can always bring a reusable water bottle if you prefer.
10. Be Mindful of Timing
Timing your visits can lead to savings:
– Avoid Peak Hours: Visiting during off-peak hours might offer better service and sometimes even lower prices.
– Happy Hour: Some locations have happy hour specials, typically in the late afternoon or early evening.
11. Customize Orders
Customizing your order can sometimes result in a better value:
– Add or Remove Ingredients: Modify your sandwich or salad to include more affordable ingredients while still enjoying a satisfying meal.
– Extra Bread: Ask for extra bread with your soup or salad at no additional cost.
MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
The Panera Value Duets are the best value on their menu, hands down. For about 9 bucks, you get a nice sized sandwich and a bowl of soup. They have a bunch of sandwich and soup options to pick from. Heck, I paid $12.59 recently at McDonald’s for a Big Mac, fries, and a drink and it was absolute garbage…Panera is such a healthier option and the Value Duets are at a nice price point.
12. Panera at Home
Panera offers a range of grocery items that you can purchase to enjoy at home:
– Grocery Store Products: Look for Panera soups, salad dressings, and coffee at your local grocery store. These are often cheaper than buying individual servings at the restaurant.
– Coupons for Grocery Items: Check for coupons on Panera’s website or through your grocery store’s app.
See Also: Whataburger Secret Menu: Find Your Next Favorite Burger
13. Birthday and Special Occasion Freebies
Celebrate your birthday or other special occasions with freebies from Panera:
– Birthday Reward: Enjoy a free bakery item during your birthday month through the MyPanera program.
– Special Occasion Rewards: Occasionally, Panera offers special rewards for anniversaries or holidays. Keep an eye on your email and app notifications.
14. Take Advantage of Panera’s Generosity
Panera Bread has a generous policy towards its customers and community:
– Day-End Dough-Nation: Panera donates unsold bakery items to local charities at the end of the day. You can support this program or sometimes purchase day-old items at a discount.
– Free Samples: Occasionally, Panera offers free samples of new items. Don’t hesitate to try them.
15. Employee Discounts
If you or a family member works at Panera Bread, you can enjoy significant discounts:
– Employee Meals: Panera employees receive discounts on meals, which can be substantial.
– Family and Friends: Some locations offer discounts to family and friends of employees.
See Also: Looking for Work? Check Out These Great Employee Discounts
16. Be Smart with Panera’s Catering
If you’re hosting an event, Panera’s catering can be a convenient and cost-effective option:
– Group Orders: Ordering for a group can sometimes qualify you for discounts or free delivery.
– Catering Rewards: Sign up for Panera’s catering rewards program to earn points and receive discounts on future orders.
17. Keep an Eye on Seasonal and Limited-Time Offers
Panera often introduces seasonal items and limited-time offers that can be a great deal:
– Seasonal Menus: Try items from the seasonal menu, which might be priced more competitively.
– Limited-Time Promotions: Take advantage of limited-time promotions that offer discounts or special combinations.
Ask the Reader: How do you save money when dining at Panera? Let me know in the comments.
By Kyle James
I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)