Menu Labeling Katie Bengston MS, RD, LD Nutrition Manager Panera Bread April 11, 2013 Weight of the State
Jan 17, 2016
Menu Labeling
Katie Bengston MS, RD, LDNutrition Manager
Panera BreadApril 11, 2013
Weight of the State
Overview
• Introduction to Panera• Panera’s commitment to nutrition• Panera’s choice to post calories• Customer feedback to posting calories• Results after posting calories• Basic process for collecting & publishing nutrition• Individuals who benefit from posting nutrition• Future projects
Introduction
• Over 1600 bakery-cafes in the US and Canada
• High quality food in comfortable environment
• Identity rooted in fresh-baked, artisan bread
• Menu highlighted by select ingredients
• Donate breads/baked goods to community
Panera’s Dedication to Nutrition
• Nutrition information in each cafe for over a decade
• Nutrition Calculator online since 2009
• Calories posted on menu panels in 2010
• Future plans to improve nutrition reporting
Posting Calorieson Menu
• Panera was first concept to post calories on menu
• # 1 reason was to continue to develop our relationship and transparency with customers
• Give customers the tools needed to make dietary decisions
• Trend was going in this direction and wanted to be proactive
Customer Feedback
• Net positive for both customers and Panera
• Interested customers were thankful
• Enjoyed the honesty and transparency
• Some customers wanted more than calories posted
Panera Menu Program: CaloriesBefore After
Results After Posting Calories
• Sales were not negatively impacted after posting calories
• Marginal shifting in customer orders • Sales were not negatively impacted due to
posting calories
Basic Process for Creating Nutritionals
• Dedicated to accuracy• Accurate recipes• Accurate portioning tools• Work closely with vendors to ensure accurate
nutrition lab analysis• Accurate nutrition software• Verification – checks and balances
Who Benefits fromPublished Nutrition?
• The public – our customers• Educators• Healthcare providers• State and local leaders• Employers• Community-based organizations
Looking to the Future
• Nutrition Initiatives
Panera hopes it is providing an environment that
positively impacts health by supplying this information to
the public