Panera’s good — no one’s arguing that. The bread’s solid, the soup’s cozy, and somehow everything feels a little healthier even when you’re housing a mac and cheese bread bowl. But let’s be real: it ain’t cheap. You walk in thinking you’ll grab a sandwich and leave twenty bucks lighter without even noticing. If you’re on any kind of budget, Panera can mess you up fast. But here’s the good news — you don’t have to stop going. You just gotta be a little smarter about it.

1. Join MyPanera Rewards

First thing you gotta do if you wanna save anything at Panera: sign up for MyPanera. It’s free, it takes like two minutes, and honestly, you start getting rewards pretty much right away.

– Welcome Reward: New members often receive a free pastry or other treat just for signing up.

– Birthday Reward: Enjoy a free bakery item on your birthday.

– Surprise Rewards: Panera frequently offers surprise rewards based on your purchasing habits. These can range from free beverages to discounts on menu items.

– Earn Points: Each purchase accumulates points, leading to various rewards.

Make sure to provide your MyPanera card or registered phone number at every visit to get your rewards.

See Also: Panera Secret Menu: Find Your New Favorite Breakfast or Lunch

PRO TIP: GET MORE CHOW AT PANERA

When using the Panera ordering kiosk, you can do a bunch of modifications to get more food for less.

For example, try modifying a regular Grilled Cheese to be a Steak and Cheese sandwich and save a couple bucks. Also, try “adding extra” of items like cheese or produce as often times you won’t get charged for it.

2. Utilize the Panera App

Downloading the Panera Bread app can further enhance your savings.

The app offers several perks:

– Exclusive Deals: App users often receive exclusive deals and promotions not available elsewhere.

– Order Ahead: Skip the line by ordering ahead, ensuring you get exactly what you want without the temptation of impulse purchases.

– Delivery and Rapid Pick-Up: Save time and potential travel costs by using Panera’s delivery service or Rapid Pick-Up option.

3. Take Advantage of Promotions and Coupons

Panera Bread frequently runs promotions and offers coupons.

Here’s how to stay informed and use them effectively:

– Email Newsletter: Sign up for Panera’s email newsletter to receive updates on promotions, coupons, and special events.

– Social Media: Follow Panera Bread on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They often post limited-time deals and flash sales.

– Coupon Websites: Check coupon websites such as RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, and Groupon for additional savings opportunities.

4. Maximize Meal Deals

Panera offers several meal deals that provide excellent value:

– You Pick Two: This deal allows you to combine two smaller portions of soups, salads, or sandwiches for a lower price than purchasing each item separately.

– Family Feast: Perfect for feeding a group, the Family Feast includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, and bakery items at a reduced price.

– Seasonal Offers: Keep an eye out for seasonal promos that offer discounts on specific items or combinations.

5. Leverage Subscription Services

Panera Bread has introduced subscription services that can lead to significant savings:

– Unlimited Sip Club: For a monthly fee of $14.99 (first 3 months are FREE), members of the Unlimited Sip Club can enjoy unlimited coffee, tea, and soft drinks. This is especially cost-effective for frequent visitors.

– Meal Kits and Grocery: If you still want your Panera fix but don’t wanna pay sit-down prices, check out their meal kits and grocery stuff. You can grab soups, mac and cheese, breads — all the good stuff — and eat it at home without blowing half your paycheck. Keep an eye out for deals, especially around the holidays when they’re trying to move more of it.

See Also: Chipotle Menu Hacks That’ll Get You a BIGGER Burrito

PRO TIP: SIP CLUB “HACK”

Combine the Sip Club with a discounted gift card (they often sell them for 20% off at Costco or at Panera) and then let the magic happen.

From this Reddit thread, “I’m in the SIP club and rarely order food. I buy the gift cards when they are 20% off and typically only will purchase the Tuesday bagel deal or the breads. I always use the kiosk so I’ll get a pop up $2 off entree before check out. Since I go 8-10x a week I stack rewards and will use it all at once.” Free food folks.

6. Share and Save

Dining with friends or family? Share your meal to save money:

– Split Large Portions: Panera’s portions are often generous. Consider sharing a large salad or sandwich to cut costs.

– Bakery Items: Buy a dozen bagels or a box of pastries to share. You’ll often receive a discount for buying in bulk.

7. Utilize Discount Gift Cards

Discount gift cards can be a great way to save money at Panera Bread:

– Buy Discounted Gift Cards: Websites like Raise, CardCash, and Gift Card Granny sell Panera gift cards at a discount.

– Earn Gift Cards Through Rewards Programs: Use credit card rewards, survey sites, or other rewards programs to earn Panera gift cards.

8. Tap into Senior and Student Discounts

Panera Bread offers discounts for seniors and students at many locations:

– Senior Discounts: Some Panera locations offer senior discounts, typically around 10%. Ask your local Panera if they participate.

– Student Discounts: Show your student ID to receive discounts on your order. This is not universal, so check with your local Panera.

See Also: In-N-Out Burger Menu Hacks That’ll Make You Feel Smart

PRO TIP: THE “CANCEL” TIP

If you’re paying full price for the Unlimited Sip Club, try canceling your membership. Often times this will trigger a “Please Come Back” offer via email for you to come back at a greatly reduced monthly rate for 3-months.

9. Go for Water

If you’re trying to keep your Panera bill from spiraling, skip the soda and just get water.

It’s free, it’s right there, and honestly, paying three bucks for a fancy lemonade every time adds up fast.

Bring your own water bottle if you want to be extra about it — no one’s judging. Save the few bucks and put it toward, you know, actual food.

10. Be Mindful of Timing

Timing your visits can lead to savings:

– Avoid Peak Hours: If you can swing it, try hitting Panera during the off-peak times — like mid-morning or late afternoon.
You’ll skip the lunch rush chaos, your food usually comes out faster, and sometimes they’ll even have little deals or discounts going on.

– Happy Hour: Some Panera spots actually do happy hour deals — usually late afternoon or early evening — but hardly anybody knows about it. You can snag discounts on drinks, bakery stuff, and sometimes small bites if you time it right.

11. Customize Orders

Customizing your order can sometimes result in a better value:

– Add or Remove Ingredients: Modify your sandwich or salad to include more affordable ingredients while still enjoying a satisfying meal.

– Extra Bread: Ask for extra bread with your soup or salad at no additional cost.

PRO TIP: HERE’S THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

The Panera Value Duets are the best value on their menu, hands down. For about 9 bucks, you get a nice sized sandwich and a bowl of soup.

They have a bunch of sandwich and soup options to pick from. Heck, I paid $12.59 recently at McDonald’s for a Big Mac, fries, and a drink and it was absolute garbage…Panera is such a healthier option and the Value Duets are at a nice price point.

12. Panera at Home

Panera offers a range of grocery items that you can purchase to enjoy at home:

– Grocery Store Products: Look for Panera soups, salad dressings, and coffee at your local grocery store. These are often cheaper than buying individual servings at the restaurant.

– Coupons for Grocery Items: Check for coupons on Panera’s website or through your grocery store’s app.

See Also: Whataburger Secret Menu: Find Your Next Favorite Burger

13. Birthday and Special Occasion Freebies

Celebrate your birthday or other special occasions with freebies from Panera:

– Birthday Reward: Enjoy a free bakery item during your birthday month through the MyPanera program.

– Special Occasion Rewards: Occasionally, Panera offers special rewards for anniversaries or holidays. Keep an eye on your email and app notifications.

14. Take Advantage of Panera’s Generosity

Panera Bread has a generous policy towards its customers and community:

– Day-End Dough-Nation: Panera donates unsold bakery items to local charities at the end of the day. You can support this program or sometimes purchase day-old items at a discount.

– Free Samples: Occasionally, Panera offers free samples of new items. Don’t hesitate to try them.

15. Employee Discounts

If you or a family member works at Panera Bread, you can enjoy significant discounts:

– Employee Meals: Panera employees receive discounts on meals, which can be substantial.

– Family and Friends: Some locations offer discounts to family and friends of employees.

See Also: Looking for Work? Check Out These Great Employee Discounts

16. Be Smart with Panera’s Catering

If you’re hosting an event, Panera’s catering is a convenient and cost-effective option:

– Group Orders: Ordering for a group can sometimes qualify you for discounts or free delivery.

– Catering Rewards: Sign up for Panera’s catering rewards program to earn points and receive discounts on future orders.

17. Keep an Eye on Seasonal and Limited-Time Offers

Panera often introduces seasonal items and limited-time offers that can be a great deal:

– Seasonal Menus: Try items from the seasonal menu, which might be priced more competitively.

– Limited-Time Promotions: Whenever Panera throws out limited-time deals — like discounts or those “pick two” combos for a little cheaper — jump on ‘em.

Ask the Reader: How do you save money when dining at Panera? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)