Panera Ranks in Top 5 Healthiest Chain List: Survey

By Charlene Arsenault (Patch Staff) - January 10, 2017 3:44 pm ET

CRANSTON, RI—With growing demands from the public, restaurants - including chains - are tweaking its menus to make the offerings more kid and health friendly. Gluten-free, organic, local, fresh and low fat and low salt options are now more common, even at the most fastest of the fast foods.

Healthy resolutions top many people's New Year's list. Restaurant Business recently reported on the Top 5 Healthiest Chains in the country. Taking data from Technomic's recent Consumer Brand Metrics Survey, they came up with the five that offer the best all around healthy options.

"All five of the chains on this list offer seasonal menu items," writes Restaurant Business, "and 38 percent of consumers find seasonal fare healthy, according to Technomic’s Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report.

Of the five, the chain that can be found around these parts is Panera Bread, ranking at number 4.

Panera Bread is located in five RI Patch cities and towns:

Cranston, 4000 Chapel View Blvd.

East Greenwich, 1000 Division St.

Wakefield, 160 Old Tower Hill Road

Newport, 49 Long Wharf Mall

Smithfield, 180 Smithfield Crossing.

According to recent customers, here are the top five healthiest restaurant chains, nationwide:

1. Jamba Juice
2. Jason's Deli
3. Seasons 52
4. Panera Bread
5. McAlister's Deli

Photo Credit: Panera Bread