This chain closed dozens of restaurants. But it’s opening one in this Idaho city
Meridian is an exceptionally fast-growing place. Has been for years.
A side effect of this population boom? New chain restaurants. Tons. With a can’t-lose attitude toward expansion.
Case in point: Panera Bread has closed dozens of restaurants in the past year. But it plans to open a new location at the District at Ten Mile, a mixed-use development at 3318 W. Grand Mogul Drive.
Known for sandwiches, salads and soups, Panera Bread is expanding nationwide. It operates multiple Treasure Valley locations. But it’s been strategically shuttering stores, too.
“The 40-year-old chain has closed at least two dozen bakery-cafes across several states since last summer,” according to a recent article from financial news website The Street. Those numbers come from an analysis by Fast Company it says, “based on local media reports, online review platforms, and Panera’s store locator tool.”
“The closures do not mean Panera is disappearing,” The Street adds. “The company is still opening restaurants and says its overall footprint is growing this year. Still, the shuttered locations show Panera is becoming more selective as it pushes through a broader transformation plan.”
Selective? Panera Bread obviously views Meridian as a no-brainer. And why not?
Chains have lined up to showcase their menus at the District at Ten Mile, which will cover more than 200 acres. Other restaurants on the way include In-N-Out Burger, Taco Bell, Handel’s Ice Cream, Zao Asian Cafe and Mo’ Bettahs, according to a press release.
Among other retail highlights? A 148,000-square-foot Target is supposed to open in spring of 2027. A Lifetime Fitness also is coming.
As for Panera Bread? It’s slated to open sometime in the middle of next year, developer Tommy Ahlquist says.