Panera Bread Menu
Independent guide to Panera menu prices and calories Not affiliated with Panera Bread
Independent guide Not affiliated with Panera Bread
Updated August 2026
Is Panera Open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Panera cafes commonly close on Thanksgiving Day, but hours are set cafe by cafe and Panera publishes no national holiday timetable. Here is what to check, how to order ahead for the days around it, and what suits the week.
Nov 26
Thanksgiving
Nov 25
Day Before
Nov 27
Black Friday
Quick Answer
Plan for Panera to be closed on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Panera cafes commonly close for the day, but the decision is made locally, and franchise-run cafes or those in airports and travel plazas can differ. Panera does not publish a national holiday timetable, so check the Panera app or ring your cafe before you set off. If you want Panera food for the holiday, plan to collect it on Wednesday, November 25, and check that day's hours too.
Full Schedule
Thanksgiving Week Day-by-Day Schedule
What each day of the week means for planning. Hours on every one of these days are set by your cafe.
Mon 23
November
Order Ahead
A sensible day to place catering or bakery orders for later in the week, while pickup times are still open. The lead time your cafe needs is shown when you order.
Tue 24
November
Office Lunch Orders
Offices often order catering for pre-holiday team lunches, so walk-in queues can run longer. Rapid Pick-Up in the app avoids the counter.
Wed 25
November
Last Day Before the Holiday
The day to collect anything you want for Thursday. Some cafes shorten hours before a holiday, so check yours in the app and pick up early in the day.
Thu 26
Thanksgiving
Expect Closed: Thanksgiving Day
Panera cafes commonly close for Thanksgiving. Franchise-run cafes and those in airports or travel plazas can differ, so check before driving.
Fri 27
Black Friday
Black Friday
Cafes generally reopen, with hours set by each cafe. Those inside malls may follow the shopping center's schedule.
Sat-Sun
Nov 28-29
Weekend
Your cafe's usual weekend hours apply. Check the app if you are unsure.
By Location
Thanksgiving Hours by Location Type
Not every Panera is the same. Here is what to expect based on your location type.
Panera-Run Cafes
Usually Closed
Cafes run by Panera itself commonly close for Thanksgiving. Check your own cafe to be sure.
Franchise Locations
Maybe Open
Some franchise operators choose to stay open with limited hours. Call ahead to check your specific franchise cafe.
Airport Cafes
May Be Open
Airport cafes follow the airport's trading hours, so some open on holidays. Check the airport's dining listings before you rely on one.
Mall Locations
Follows the Mall
A cafe inside a mall follows the shopping center's holiday hours, so check the mall's schedule as well as the cafe's.
Seasonal Star
Turkey Chili: The Thanksgiving Soup
Turkey Chili is one of Panera's seasonal soups, made with turkey, beans and vegetables in a spiced tomato base. Seasonal items change by year and by cafe, and Panera announces them itself, so check the Panera app to see whether your cafe is serving it this autumn.
If it is not on, the soups on the regular menu, with prices from our latest menu snapshot, are on our Panera soups page.
Catering Guide
Thanksgiving Week Catering
Panera's catering menu covers sandwich trays, soups, salads and bakery boxes. The price and the notice your cafe needs depend on the cafe and the date, and both are shown when you order, so this guide does not print a deadline or a price it cannot confirm.
For the group items we do have prices for, see our Panera catering page and the catering prices guide.
Step-by-Step
How to Order for Thanksgiving Eve
Follow these steps to make sure your order is ready when you need it on Wednesday, November 25th.
1
Download the Panera App
If you do not have it already, download the Panera Bread app from the App Store or Google Play. Create a MyPanera account to earn rewards on your Thanksgiving order.
2
Choose Catering or Individual Order
For a group, go through the Catering tab. For a few people, the regular menu with Rapid Pick-Up is simpler. The app shows the lead time your cafe needs for catering.
3
Order Early in the Week
Place catering orders early in the week so the pickup time you want is still available. Rapid Pick-Up orders can be placed nearer the time, within the slots your cafe offers.
4
Pick Up Early in the Day
An earlier pickup leaves time to sort out any problem before the cafe closes, and some cafes shorten their hours the day before a holiday.
5
Use Rapid Pick-Up to Skip the Line
When you arrive, go to the Rapid Pick-Up shelf, where orders are labeled with the customer's name, so you do not need to join the counter queue.
Avoid These
6 Mistakes to Avoid Thanksgiving Week
People make these mistakes every year. Do not be one of them.
Showing Up on Thanksgiving Day
Panera cafes commonly close for the holiday. Check the app or ring the cafe before leaving home rather than finding out at the door.
Leaving Catering Until Wednesday
Catering needs notice, and the lead time is shown when you order. Leaving it until the day before the holiday risks the pickup time you want being gone.
Going at the Lunch Rush
Lunchtime on the day before a holiday is when many people collect food before traveling. If you can, go earlier in the day or order ahead.
Not Using the App for Ordering
Walk-in queues can be long on a busy day. Rapid Pick-Up through the app lets you order ahead and go straight to the pickup shelf.
Assuming All Locations Have Same Hours
Franchise locations, airport cafes, and hospital cafes may have different hours than corporate stores. Always verify your specific location's schedule through the app or by calling ahead.
Assuming a Seasonal Item Is On
Seasonal soups and bakes change by year and by cafe. If you are planning a meal around one, check the Panera app first.
Day After
Black Friday at Panera Bread
Cafes generally reopen on Black Friday, with hours set locally. Here is what to keep in mind.
Hours Set by Each Cafe
Check your cafe's hours in the app. Cafes inside malls may follow the shopping center's Black Friday schedule.
Order Ahead if Shopping
If you are heading to the shops, a Rapid Pick-Up order placed from your phone saves queuing at a busy mall cafe.
Check the App for Offers
Panera runs offers through its app from time to time. Check the Rewards section rather than relying on a promo code found elsewhere online.
Sip Club Still Works
Your Unlimited Sip Club subscription is active on Black Friday. Get your free drink while shopping or taking a break from the crowds.
Seasonal Items Vary
Which seasonal soups and bakes are on after Thanksgiving changes by year and by cafe, so check the app for yours.
Earn MyPanera Rewards
Purchases made while signed in to MyPanera count toward its rewards, holiday weekend or not.
All Holidays
Panera Holiday Hours at a Glance
Panera publishes no national holiday timetable, so this is what to expect rather than a schedule. Check your own cafe for any holiday.
Thanksgiving Day
Commonly closed
Christmas Day
Commonly closed
Easter Sunday
Varies by cafe
Christmas Eve
Hours often shortened
New Year's Day
Varies by cafe
All Other Holidays
Check your cafe
For details, see our Christmas Day hours and New Year guide.
Pro Tips
6 Pro Tips for Thanksgiving Week
Smart strategies to save time, money, and stress when ordering from Panera during the holiday rush.
1
Order Catering Early
Place catering orders early in the week for a Wednesday pickup. The earlier you order, the more pickup times are left to choose from.
2
Use MyPanera Points
If you have MyPanera rewards saved up, check whether any can go toward your Thanksgiving order.
3
Pick Up Early on Wednesday
Collecting earlier on November 25 leaves time to sort out any problem and gets you in ahead of the lunchtime crowd.
4
Get Family Feast for Small Groups
A Family Feast bundle is built for a small group. Our guide covers what goes in one and what it costs.
5
Combine Soup Tubs with Bakery
A group soup plus a dozen bagels or cookies makes an easy pre-Thanksgiving meal for a group, with no cooking.
6
Check the App for Offers
Panera runs offers through its app from time to time. Check the Rewards tab before placing a large order. Our coupons guide explains where real offers appear.
Related Holiday Guides
December
Christmas Day 2026 Hours
Is Panera open on Christmas? Full holiday schedule and ordering tips.
Seasonal
Christmas Menu 2026
How Panera's winter menu works, and holiday picks from the regular menu.
January
New Year's Day 2026
New Year hours, January specials, and resolution-friendly menu picks.
Value
Family Feast Meals Guide
Feed 4 to 6 people with Family Feast options starting at $29.99.
Catering
Catering Prices 2026
Full catering menu with sandwich trays, soup tubs, and salad bowls.
Menu
Soups Menu and Prices
All soups ranked with prices, calories, and bread bowl pairings.
10 Questions
Thanksgiving Questions Answered
Common questions about Panera Bread hours, ordering, and catering during the Thanksgiving holiday week.
1 Is Panera Bread open on Thanksgiving Day 2026?
Plan for it to be closed. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026, and Panera cafes commonly close for the day. Panera does not publish a national holiday timetable, and franchise-run cafes or those in airports and travel plazas can differ, so check the Panera app or ring your cafe before you drive over.
2 What are Panera's hours the day before Thanksgiving?
Wednesday, November 25 is usually a trading day, but each cafe sets its own hours and some shorten them before a holiday. The Panera app shows your cafe's hours for the day.
3 Does Panera do Thanksgiving catering?
Panera does not offer a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and stuffing. Its standard catering menu of sandwich trays, soups, salads and bakery boxes works for gatherings during the week, and the lead time your cafe needs is shown when you order.
4 When does Panera Turkey Chili come back?
Turkey Chili is a seasonal soup, so whether it is on depends on the year and the cafe, and Panera announces seasonal items itself. The Panera app shows what your cafe is serving, and our soups page lists the soups in our latest menu snapshot.
5 When does Panera reopen after Thanksgiving?
Cafes generally reopen on Black Friday, November 27, 2026, with hours set by each cafe. Cafes inside malls may follow the shopping center's schedule.
6 Can I order Panera for Thanksgiving Eve pickup?
Yes. Rapid Pick-Up and catering orders can be placed in the Panera app or on the website for Wednesday, November 25. The app shows the pickup times and catering lead time your cafe offers, so order early in the week for a busy day.
7 Does Panera have Thanksgiving-specific menu items?
There is no dedicated Thanksgiving menu. Fall seasonal items vary by year and by cafe, and the Turkey Bravo on the regular menu is the closest thing to a Thanksgiving sandwich.
8 How do I check my cafe's holiday hours?
Open the Panera app, pick your cafe and check the hours shown, or ring the cafe. A maps listing can also show a holiday closure. Do it a day or two before, because holiday hours are set locally.
9 How far in advance should I order Panera catering for Thanksgiving week?
Panera's ordering system shows the lead time for your cafe and date when you place a catering order. Ordering early in the week gives you the widest choice of pickup times.
10 What holidays is Panera Bread closed?
Panera cafes commonly close on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Other holidays, including Easter, Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, are decided cafe by cafe, and Panera publishes no national holiday timetable. Our hours page lists the 2026 dates.
Plan Your Thanksgiving Week at Panera
Order catering early in the week, check your cafe's hours before you drive, and use the app to order ahead.
