Panera Bread has expanded delivery into the Denver metro area and northern Colorado and is seeking to hire hundreds of new employees to accommodate the service.
The fast casual chain, known for it fresh baked bread, soups and sandwiches, introduced delivery service through its Colorado Springs stores in March, company officials say. By the end of next week, people residing in the neighborhoods around 30 of Panera’s 33 Denver metro and northern Colorado bakery/cafes should also be able to get a bread bowl brought to their door. The expansion is part of a company-wide initiative to grow delivery service by up to 40 percent.
The chain plans to hire around 400 people in Colorado as part of the service expansion. That will include around 250 delivery drivers, a news release said.
Orders must be placed online using either PaneraBread.com or the company’s mobile app. The delivery system is hooked into Panera’s loyalty program, so delivery customers can still earn rewards. Orders may be placed up to two weeks in advance. They must be worth at least $5 and a $3 charge will apply. Delivery service will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 8 p.m., the company said.
Delivery zones have been created by mapping out an 8-minute average drive time from each participating location, officials say. The three Colorado Panera locations that will not be delivering are located at 6408 Yank Way in Arvada, 23950 E. Smoky Hill Road in Aurora and the store inside the Southwest Plaza mall in Littleton. Delivery from those locations may be added in the future, company officials said.
