Panera's CEO reversed the iceberg-lettuce cost cut and launched RISE to win back traffic

A US bakery-cafe and sandwich chain, now seeking to reverse falling customer visits

Panera can win back customers by improving food value, affordable options and in-store service, putting transactions ahead of sales and profit

In summer 2024, while Paul Carbone was CFO, Panera switched its salad base from 100% romaine to a romaine and iceberg mix to save money. Carbone became CEO in 2025 and fully reversed the change in June 2025, calling it shorthand for years of small cost-cutting moves that eroded the experience.

Panera began developing RISE last year after years of negative same-store transactions, after months of talking with thousands of customers. The name stands for refresh the menu, ignite value, serve guests with excellence and expand the network. It added a front-of-house Guest Experience Champion role after earlier labor cuts, and rejected the idea that Panera is a technology company that sells food.

In June 2026 Panera launched a summer menu with shrimp-topped bowls, upgraded salads, breakfast frittatas, frozen coffees and fruit drinks as RISE's latest step. No traffic recovery was reported yet, and Placer.ai data showed declines through May.

Years of cost-cutting and menu changes chipped away at the experience customers loved

Growth came from price and mix while transactions fell

Customers said the food felt too expensive, cheaper options were gone and service was weaker

Cost cuts that look good on a spreadsheet can erode the experience customers remember; Carbone now ranks transactions first, then sales and profit.

As of June 2026 RISE had begun with a new summer menu, but Placer.ai reported Panera's foot traffic had declined year over year every month from January to May.