Panera Bread Opens On Girard

Panera Bread first came to San Diego eight years ago when owners Paul Saber and Patrick Rogers opened their first store in the North County neighborhood of Escondido. Since that time, Saber and Rogers have been expanding markedly, with the now-open La Jolla location being their 36^th store. 

The bakery and café has a variety of menu offerings, including pastries, salads, breakfast items, soups, sandwiches and a variety of coffees. The menu is favorably priced, meaning that Panera Bread is able to cater to demographics ranging from students to executives alike.

What’s most interesting about Panera Bread, however, is that at the end of each day they donate all of their unsold bread and pastries to local nonprofits (yes, that means everything is baked fresh before they open each morning). Some goes to homeless shelters downtown, while some makes its way across the border into the neighborhoods of Tijuana.

Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday

Concept:  Fast dining bakery and cafe

Handicap Accessible: Yes

Parking:  Street

Payments Accepted:  Discover, American Express, Master Card, Visa, Cash

Frequent Shopper Rewards Card:  Yes 

Gift Cards:  Yes.  Can be reloaded on line should customers choose to do so

Owners:  Paul Saber, Patrick Rogers

Number of Stores Owned:  36

Catering:  Yes. Orders must be placed 24-hours in advance and cancellations must be made four hours prior to pick-up or delivery. Order by phone or on-line.

Why They Came to La Jolla:  "We realized that we can't really be in San Diego without also being in the city's crown jewel neighborhood.