Panera Bread, Five Guys Burgers Might Open in Pinole

A couple of popular casual restaurants might open shop in two of Pinole's shopping centers, depending on approval by the city council.

Panera Bread and Five Guys Burgers and Fries could fill vacant storefronts if the council approves them as tenants on Tuesday night. Under a contractual agreement with shopping center developer The Kivelstadt Group, the city is allowed to approve or deny prospetive tenants. If approval is granted, Panera could lease space at the former Blockbuster site in the Pinole Vista Crossings center on Fitzgerald Drive and Five Guys would could lease the currently empty space next to the Supercuts in the Pinole Valley Shopping Center.

Under a proposal to be presented at the council meeting, Panera would lease 4,000 square feet for 15 years, paying $39 per square foot for the first five years and $43.36 per month for the next five years. The restaurant would have options for renewal every five years up to 25 years.

Five Guys would lease 2,400 square feet at $36 per square foot for the first five years, $40.50 per square foot for a second five years, followed by two optional subsequent five-year leases.

The approvals sought are restricted only to accepting the restaurants as tenants and do not include issues such as building design changes, signage, permits or other conditions of occupancy that would be addressed buy the city in the future.

Details are included in the document attached to this article.

The council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chamber at 2131 Pear St.