Plans for Panera Bread rise in Bend
Published 10:57 am Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Panera Bread appears to have plans in the oven for its first Bend restaurant, though the project is not yet a done deal.
The company has applied for permits to build out space in a former Cracker Barrel building on the north side of Bend that has since been renovated to accommodate three businesses. Carhartt is also planned as a tenant in the building.
The City of Bend received a renovation/alteration application Monday for the proposed Panera, according to the city’s Permit Center Portal. The application is still pending.
The permit description calls for an interior build-out of an existing shell, including new walls, finishes, kitchen equipment and mechanical, electrical and plumbing connections.
Melanie Paule, program manager for the city’s building safety division, said the city has not formally received the building permit application yet.
“We have not formally received the building permit application for Panera yet but it looks like they are working on completing the application to come to us,” Paule said in an email.
The permit application was submitted by Robal Road LLC, which owns the property. It does not provide a construction or opening date. The application is set to expire Feb. 21, 2027.
Panera Bread specializes in soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods. The company was founded in Missouri and has grown to more than 2,200 locations across the United States.
If the project moves forward, it would mark Panera’s first restaurant in Bend.
The company had not provided additional details about its plans as of Wednesday. Corporate representatives did not respond to emailed questions about the new restaurant.