Panera Bread Grand Opening Celebration

Family-owned Hamra Enterprises, franchisee of Panera Bread, Wendy’s, Noodles & Company and Holiday Inn Express and Suites, is celebrating the upcoming opening of its 100th unit, a Panera Bread in Tinley Park, Ill., with a month-long fundraiser that will assist them in granting their 100th wish to Make-A-Wish Illinois.

Mike Hamra, the President and CEO of Hamra Enterprises, has selected his favorite pastry from the menu, the Candy Cookie, which for the entire month of May will be dubbed, The Hamra Cookie, at the Panera Bread locations in South Holland (300 E. 162nd Street), Frankfort (11069 W. Lincoln Hwy.) and Tinley Park (7204 w. 191st Street). For each Hamra Cookie sold at one of these select locations, the brand will donate one dollar toward its longtime partner, Make-A-Wish Illinois. In coordination with the “100” theme, these proceeds will go towards the 100th wish that Hamra Enterprises can now grant through the foundation.

“Giving back to the local communities where we open our units has always been a top priority for us,” said Hamra. “The opening of our 100th unit is both a huge milestone for Hamra Enterprises and also a great opportunity to give back to Make-A-Wish Illinois in a fun and unique way. It’s our hope that the community will join us in helping grant our 100th wish as we celebrate our 100th opening.”

The 100th unit, which is the 37th Hamra Panera Bread location in Illinois, is located at 7204 W. 191st Street, Tinley Park, Il. The Tinley Park Panera Bread will host a grand opening celebration on Monday, May 11 from 6-10 a.m. The first 100 guests will receive a Bread-For-A-Year certificate and a Panera coffee tumbler with five free coffees. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. with the Hamra family, Mayor Edward Zabrocki and additional invited guests.