Panera Bread store closures: See a list of shuttered locations as the fast-casual chain charts 2026 growth

Six months into a turnaround plan that includes a refreshed menu and a renewed commitment to the customer experience, Panera Bread is growing at a healthy clip. So far in 2026, the fast-casual has opened 23 new bakery-cafes, including 15 company-owned locations and eight franchised ones, a spokesperson told Fast Company. And at least 25 additional locations are expected to open before the year is out. The growing footprint comes after CEO Paul Carbone announced his “Panera Rise” plan in November 2025, a transformation strategy that also includes modernizing its existing store portfolio. But not all of Panera’s locations are going to survive the transformation. Since last summer, at least two dozen Panera Bread locations have closed across several states, according to an analysis of local media reports, online review platforms, and Panera’s store locator tool. California has been hit especially hard, with at least six closures, while Panera Bread locations have also closed in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio. In Texas, meanwhile, more than a dozen locations in the Houston area closed last summer after the high-profile collapse and bankruptcy of a large franchisee. Court records show that eight of those locations have since been sold to an entity tied to Hamra Enterprises, which already owns Panera bakery-cafes in states including Illinois and Massachusetts. But if and when those shuttered Houston-area locations will reopen was not immediately clear. Hamra Enterprises did not respond to requests for comment. Which Panera Bread locations have closed? According to our review, the locations listed below have closed since last summer. We’ve also noted which Texas locations were reported sold in court records. We’ll update this story if we hear back from the buyer about the fate of those stores. California 13450 Highland Pl Bldg D Ste R4 San Diego, CA 92130 2415 E Chapman Ave, Fullerton, CA 92838 5895 Kate