The 2 States You Won't Find A Single Panera Location
Panera Bread is a fast-casual restaurant chain famous for its tasty sandwiches, iconic soups inspired by pantry staples, and comforting mac and cheese. Since the brand's founding in 1987, under the name St. Louis Bread Company, the eatery has been serving fresh baked goods to the masses (via Panera Bread).
Delicious food is just one part of Panera's overall focus. Under the mission statement "One Panera for a Healthier and Happier World," the brand has become a force for good with initiatives like transitioning to using cage-free eggs, creating a more inclusive environment for women and BIPOC workers, and kickstarting the Panera Bread Foundation to support youth development.
Panera's popularity has exploded from its humble St. Louis origins, and as of 2021, it sat at the No. 12 spot for largest fast food chains in America, according to QSR Magazine. Despite the company's success and history, Panera's admirable values and delicious menu have not yet reached all 50 United States.
Only on the mainland
According to Panera's website, the restaurant has 2,176 locations in the U.S., including 193 locations in Florida and seven in Washington, D.C. It even has 12 locations in Ontario, Canada, but unfortunately, there isn't a single Panera in either Alaska or Hawaii.
In addition to those two states, you also won't find a single Panera in several U.S. territories. According to ScrapeHero, residents of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands also have to miss out on the chance to order a Bistro French Onion Soup or experience one of Panera's futuristic drive-thrus.
Although it's unclear why the restaurant hasn't made its way to these states and territories, Panera provides a solution for those craving some of its offerings. Grocery store locations in both Alaska and Hawaii sell everything from Panera branded coffee to artisan bread, soups, and mac and cheese (via Panera at Home).