Panera Bread Expanding To Jefferson Street In Joliet

JOLIET, IL — Last June, the Applebee's restaurant at 2400 West Jefferson Street was one of several locations being closed by the national restaurant chain. That was great news for other restaurants along the busy corridor, but now there's going to more competition. The popular Panera Bread restaurant chain will soon be taking over the vacant property.

The project is on the Joliet City Council agenda for Tuesday's regular meeting, the first meeting since the April 2 consolidated elections. Panera Bread has requested a drive-thru permit for the site on Jefferson Street near the Walmart and Menards stores.

"The restaurant will be occupying the existing building that was formerly an Applebee's Restaurant," according to to a city memo. "The applicant has received all required approvals from the zoning board of appeals."

The city's recommendation to the Joliet City Council is to approve the drive-thru permit. Joliet already has two Panera Bread restaurants at high traffic locations: one at Route 59 and Caton Farm Road and the other is inside the Louis Joliet Mall.