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Following national chains like Applebee's, Panera Bread is finally making its move for a slice of Detroit. In a release today, the company announced its first Detroit location is headed for the RenCen. The chain has acquired 4,429-square feet on level A of the GM Wintergarden for a restaurant seating approximately 70 diners.
Like other Panera's it will offer a selection of baked goods, soups and sandwiches, as well as "Panera 2.0" technology upgrades including "custom ordering, mobile payment, fast-lane kiosks for dine-in and to-go diners, advanced ordering, and rapid pick-up for to-go meals."
Construction is expected to begin in September with the restaurant slated for a Winter 2016 opening. Panera isn't the only RenCen newcomer. Granite City Food & Brewery is headed downtown this fall.
