Panera Bread Catering Menu: Fresh Choices for Any Occasion

If you’re planning a meeting, party, or family get-together, the panera bread catering menu gives clear, ready-to-serve choices so you can order fast and confidently.

This guide covers what’s available across the United States now, including boxed meals, group salads that serve 10, soups and mac & cheese in portions of four, and beverage totes for 7–8 people.

Quick answer: choose a format (boxed lunches, platters, or group portions), add drinks and sweets, and adjust for dietary needs to get the right quantities without waste.

Panera’s approach helps in two main ways: orders arrive ready to serve, and a wide selection keeps mixed groups happy. You’ll also see price anchors and real examples to make budgeting straightforward.

Use this simple decision path: pick your event type → select a format → add beverages and desserts → confirm allergies or preferences. Note that availability and prices can vary by location, but the serving benchmarks and planning steps stay useful nationwide.

By the end, you’ll know what to order and how much to buy without overthinking it. Ready to plan your next event with a clear estimate and easy options?

Why Panera Bread Catering Works for Meetings, Parties, and Family Gatherings

When time is tight, reliable ready-made food removes one big worry for hosts. Orders arrive fresh daily and in a setup that’s basically open-and-serve. That makes it easy to feed a room without extra prep.

Fresh-made food with ready-to-serve setup for groups

Food is prepared daily and packaged to stay tidy. Dressings come on the side and hot items are portioned for sharing. This keeps the table neat and the service smooth.

Flexible formats: boxed meals, platters, and group portions

• Boxed meals: best for assigned seats or tight schedules—minimal cleanup.
• Platters: ideal for mingle-style events where people graze.
• Group portions: work well for buffet lines or mixed appetites.

The bread catering advantage is simple: sandwiches and bakery items travel well and satisfy many tastes. In short, you’re buying food and time—fewer decisions, a cleaner setup, and a smoother event.

Panera Bread Catering Menu Overview: What’s Available Right Now in the US

This quick snapshot maps current catering choices so you can jump to the right category fast. It lists core items, portion sizes, and when each option fits an event.

Breakfast, lunch, and bakery bundles at a glance

Breakfast bundles include boxed sandwiches and pastries. Shareable picks: Bagel Pack (serves 13) and Morning Continental (serves 8–10).

Core items for group meals

Lunch offerings focus on sandwiches and boxed lunches (sandwich + chips + cookie). Group salads come in bowls that serve 10. Soups and mac & cheese are sold in pots that serve 4.

Mini-checklist:

• Choose your main: sandwiches, salads, soup, or mac & cheese.
• Add sides: chips, baguette, or fruit.
• Finish with bakery or dessert.
• Select beverages: coffee tote or iced drink tote.

This overview keeps choices simple and shows how each item serves a group. Use it to pick the right options and speed up ordering with confidence.

Panera Bread Catering Menu Prices and What to Budget Per Person

Start your budget by deciding whether you’ll serve boxed meals or shareable platters—each drives per-person cost differently.

Typical per-person ranges: breakfast boxed options often run lower per guest than full lunch spreads. Boxed lunches commonly cost about $12.39–$15.89 each. Coffee totes are roughly $21.99 (serves 7–8), and iced drink totes fall near $13.99–$17.99.

• Serves 4 = one pot (soup or mac & cheese).
• Serves 10 = group salad bowl.
• Serves 7–8 = beverage tote.

Rules of thumb: boxed lunch = easiest fixed cost per guest. Assortments reduce decision fatigue but need portion planning. Add-ons (chips $1.29, fruit cup $4.29, baguette $0.99) are the hidden budget lever.

Quick budgeting formula: (mains per guest) + (1 side per guest) + (1 drink per 7–8 guests) + (dessert for 50–70% of guests). Transparent prices cut back-and-forth for office admins and make event approvals faster.

Breakfast Catering Options That Travel Well for Morning Meetings

Start your morning meeting with easy-to-serve breakfast choices that travel well and arrive fresh. These picks cut setup time and keep your schedule on track.

Boxed sandwiches and pastries for individual service

Boxed options work best when guests have assigned seats or need a quick grab-and-go meal. Choices like the Bacon Double Take Boxed Breakfast ($10.99) or Cinnamon Roll Boxed Breakfast ($7.29) offer hearty and lighter picks.

Bagel packs and continental assortments for larger groups

Bagel Pack (serves 13, $18.29) and Morning Continental (serves 8–10, $73.59) simplify feeding many guests. They shine when start times vary or people arrive in waves.

Hot bowls, fruit cups, and yogurt parfait add-ons

Add Fruit Cup ($4.29), oatmeal, or yogurt parfaits to balance savory items. These lighter choices help guests who prefer less bread breakfast fare.

Beverage pairings for efficient service

• Plan one coffee tote per 7–8 guests; hot tea tote is the same price ($21.99).
• Consider a Premium Orange Juice tote ($21.39) for early starts.

Morning mix template: order 60% savory boxed items, 40% pastries, and add fruit for about 25–30% of guests. This blend reduces waste and keeps everyone satisfied.

Sandwich Platters and Assortments for Crowd-Pleasing Lunches

A well-chosen assortment of sandwiches keeps lunchtime simple and satisfies varied tastes. Assortments save time and reduce back‑and‑forth when you need to feed a mixed group quickly.

Classic platters and hot vs cold choices

Cold Assorted Sandwiches (serves 5–7) $66.89 and Hot Assorted Sandwiches (serves 5–7) $65.69 are reliable picks. Cold options feel lighter and travel well. Hot assortments read as a fuller meal and warm the room.

New sandwich‑style picks to watch

Seasonal Ciabatta Dippers—like French Ciabatta Dipper and Chicken Pesto Ciabatta Dipper—add a modern touch. They make the spread feel special without extra prep.

Build a balanced spread

• Base: one sandwich platter per 5–7 people.
• Add one group salad and chips ($1.29 each).
• Include a french baguette ($0.99) for extra bread lovers.
• Label platters, place napkins at both ends, and keep salads slightly separate from warm items.

Dietary tip: include at least one vegetarian sandwich and keep sauces on the side to accommodate allergies. If time is tight, assortments beat custom builds; if preferences are specific, boxed lunches are the safer order.

Boxed Lunches and Boxed Sandwich Meals for Offices and On-the-Go Events

For office orders and on-the-go events, boxed lunch options deliver predictable portions and tidy service.

Why boxed lunches work: they speed distribution, make dietary labels simple, and give clear per-guest cost control. That predictability helps admins manage time and spend with less back-and-forth.

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What’s inside and easy upgrades

Typical boxed lunch includes a sandwich, chips, and a cookie. Cold sandwiches often include a pickle spear. Add-ons like fruit cups or yogurt are simple upgrades that suit lighter tastes.

Popular starting choices and prices

• Mediterranean Veggie Boxed Lunch — $12.39
• Bacon Turkey Bravo® Boxed Lunch — $14.09
• Toasted Italiano Boxed Lunch — $15.89
• You Pick Two® Boxed Lunch — $13.49

When You Pick Two fits best

The You Pick Two style is ideal when guests want variety or lighter portions. It reduces waste by letting people mix a half-sandwich with a soup or salad instead of a full meal.

Quick ordering workflow: collect counts by category (meat, vegetarian) rather than exact sandwich names. That speeds an order and keeps lines moving at events.

Travel note & budgeting reminder: boxed lunches are travel-friendly for mobile events and make prices predictable, which is ideal when you approve spend across multiple teams or locations. For large orders, use a simple tally of guests by type and submit one grouped order to save time.

Salad Platters and Group Salad Bowls for Lighter Catering Menus

Choose a few large salad bowls to give guests lighter, colorful options without extra prep.

Group salads are the lighter backbone of many catering menu plans. Dressings arrive on the side to keep greens crisp and let guests customize their plates.

Popular crowd-pleasers include Greek, Caesar, Fuji Apple Chicken, and Green Goddess Chicken Cobb. Group bowls typically serve 10, so they scale well for lunch gatherings.

• Add protein for heartier appetites and keep at least one vegetarian-friendly bowl.
• Request croutons and crunchy toppings on the side when possible.
• Plan one group salad per 8–10 guests if salads are a main side; order more when salads are a primary choice.

Pairing tip: place salads next to sandwich platters to balance heavier items and to meet varied guest needs. Set out serving tongs and clear allergen labels so guests can self-select with confidence.

Soups, Mac & Cheese, and Comfort Food Picks for Cooler-Weather Events

Comfort-forward choices work best for winter lunches, evening gatherings, and rainy-day meetings. Warm pots and cheesy trays create a low-effort, high-satisfaction spread that feels like home.

Soup pots serve four and scale easily when you need warm food without a full buffet line. Core, crowd-pleasing items include Broccoli Cheddar, Homestyle Chicken Noodle, and Creamy Tomato.

Seasonal and hearty upgrades

Limited-time picks like Hearty Fireside Chili and Autumn Squash Soup add variety and make the spread feel special. These options are good when you want memorable flavors rather than the usual staples.

Mac & cheese and serving logic

Mac & Cheese trays (serves 4) cost $26.99; Bacon Mac & Cheese (serves 4) is $29.99. Soup pots are $22.99 each and typically come with French baguette portions to round out the plate.

• Serving tip: order one pot per four people and add trays to scale without extra staff.
• Keep soups in insulated carriers, set out ladles and bowls, and place baguette pieces nearby.
• Dietary heads-up: creamy soups and mac contain dairy—plan at least one non-creamy option for mixed needs.

Quick guide: treat these items as warming centerpieces that pair well with salads or sandwich platters. For event planning, mix one warm pot per four guests with lighter sides to balance the spread.

Bakery, Pastries, and Dessert Platters That Finish Any Catering Menu Strong

Sweet finishes can turn a practical spread into a memorable experience for guests. Bakery trays lift a table with almost no setup. They arrive ready to plate and slice, so you avoid extra work.

Dessert picks for meetings and office parties: Cookies & Brownies (serves 12) $26.29 and Dozen Brownies (serves 12) $29.49 are simple, easy to portion, and familiar to most guests.

• Morning pastries: Cinnamon Roll Boxed Breakfast $7.29, Orange Scone Boxed Breakfast $7.29, Chocolate Croissant, and Pecan Braid make a breakfast feel special.
• Pick at least two dessert types to cover varied tastes and reduce single-item leftovers.

Quantity rule: plan 1 piece per guest for short meetings, 1.5 pieces per guest for celebrations, and reduce when boxed lunches already include a cookie.

Allergen note: bakery items often contain dairy, eggs, and nuts—label trays clearly and offer a fruit add-on for balance.

Family gatherings tip: dessert trays double as take-home packs, so slight overbuying reduces waste and extends the guest experience.

Beverage Catering: Coffee Totes, Iced Drinks, and Bottled Options

Drinks set the tone for any gathering, so choose options that match the agenda and weather. Use tote counts to scale instead of guessing cups. Match hot items to morning events and cold choices to warm-weather or lunchtime events.

Hot beverage basics

Coffee Totes serve 7–8 and cost $21.99 for regular or decaf and varied roasts. Hot Tea Totes are also $21.99. Signature Hot Chocolate Tote runs $23.49 and works well for seasonal or celebratory events.

Cold beverage totes

Iced totes include Blueberry Lavender Lemonade at $17.99 (two containers) and standard iced teas/lemonades at $13.99 (two containers). These options suit lunches, outdoor events, and longer agendas.

Bottled drinks and simple setups

Bottled water is $2.69 each; canned sodas and juices vary by item. Bottles are the easiest self-serve option—less cups, fewer spills, and simple leftovers.

• Tote math: 1 tote per 7–8 guests; add extras for coffee-heavy crowds or extended events.
• Include cups, stirrers, sweeteners, and a separate creamer station to keep the setup tidy.

Pairing note: coffee + pastries for breakfast, iced tea or lemonade with sandwiches and salads for lunch, and bottled water as the universal backup for any event.

Sides and Add-Ons That Round Out Panera Catering Orders

A few well-chosen extras bring balance and variety to any group order. Sides help you complete a spread without a big budget increase.

Quick upgrade picks and prices

• Chips — $1.29 each. Fast, low-cost filler for boxed lunches.
• Apple — $1.29 each. Durable, single-serve fruit that travels well.
• French Baguette — $0.99 each. Great with soups and salads.
• Fruit Cup — $4.29 each; Small Fruit Bowl (serves 5) $28.59; Large Fruit Bowl (serves 10) $46.69.
• Plain Cream Cheese Individual — $1.70; Cream cheese tub (serves 8) — $3.69.
• Greek Yogurt Parfait — $5.99 each (add-on for lighter needs).

Practical pairing guide

Baguettes complement soups and group salads, while chips balance sandwich platters. Fruit and parfaits keep the table feeling lighter.

Cream cheese strategy for bagel orders

Choose tubs when you need speed and fewer wasteful wrappers. Pick individual tubs for hygiene and easy portion control at events where guests self-serve.

Lighter-needs pathway and waste tip

For wellness-focused groups, order fruit bowls and yogurt parfaits instead of extra sandwiches. If attendance is uncertain, prioritize add-ons that hold well—chips, apples, and bottled drinks reduce spoilage risk.

Decision cue

If mains are boxed, keep sides minimal to avoid excess. If mains are platters, add a few sides to reach “enough food” without ordering more sandwiches.

How to Order Panera Catering in the United States

Ordering group food need not be stressful when you know the quickest channels and timing windows.

Choose the channel that fits your needs: the official website for clarity, the app for speed, phone for custom requests, or in-cafe for last-minute help.

Pickup vs delivery: timing and setup

Pickup is often more predictable for tight timelines. It avoids building access delays and lets you verify the order on arrival.

Delivery saves you the trip. Confirm address details, elevator access, parking, and a contact phone number to speed the drop-off.

Advance notice and peak-date guidance

Same-day orders can work for small requests—often about two hours’ notice. For larger orders and busy mornings, place orders at least 24 hours ahead.

Holidays and conference dates need even earlier notice. When in doubt, give one full business day to secure availability.

Business accounts and recurring office lunches

Set up a business account to save favorites, centralize billing, and speed repeat orders. Standardize headcount rules (e.g., 1 boxed lunch per person) to avoid confusion.

• Save common orders in the app or site for repeat use.
• Standardize counts and dietary notes for each recurring lunch.
• Use a single billing profile to simplify approvals.

Quality-control tip: schedule delivery a bit early. Keep hot items separate from salads to protect texture during setup.

Follow these steps and your orders and setup will feel planned. That makes your events and gatherings run with less stress and more confidence.

Choosing the Right Catering Menu Items for Your Event and Dietary Needs

Start by matching food choices to the rhythm of your event and the tastes of your attendees. That simple first step keeps planning focused and fast.

Decision framework: pick mains, add one side type, include a shared dessert, and choose drinks by length of gathering. Keep a clear vegetarian main and one universally liked comfort item to cover picky eaters.

• Mixing strategy: aim for one vegetarian main per three meat mains. Add Mac & Cheese or Classic Soup as a safe fallback.
• Gluten-conscious guidance: label items clearly, request salads without croutons, and note that a bakery environment has cross-contact risk. Check allergen info for each item.
• Portion tips: use serves 4/10/7–8 anchors; plan slightly higher for lunch and for teen-heavy groups.

Best combos by occasion: office meetings = boxed lunches + chips + bottled drinks. Family gatherings = assorted platters + group salad + dessert tray. Brunch = bagels/continental + coffee tote + fruit.

Buyer’s reminder: the right choice balances timing, guest needs, and budget while keeping freshness and quality top of mind.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Decide one format — boxed meals, platters, or group bowls — then add drinks and a dessert to finish. Use serving anchors: boxed meals for individuals, group salads (serves 10), soups and mac (serve 4), and beverage totes (serve 7–8).

Transparent prices help you budget quickly. Compare per-person boxed costs to pot and tote pricing to avoid surprises.

Plan a short “must-have” list: main + drink + one side, allow a little lead time, and expect local variation in availability and prices. With this simple path you get a smooth ordering process, more time with guests, and a reliably good catering experience.