Panera Bread, an American fast-casual restaurant chain, has announced the launch of two new chef-curated menu items: Thai Chicken Soup and Citrus Asian Crunch Salad With Chicken. Both offerings arrive as a result of the brand's new commitment to developing bold, globally-inspired flavors in 2022.
In fact, the Thai Chicken Soup is the first of ten new culturally diverse, flavor-focused Panera soups in the brand's pipeline. Appealing to Thai food lovers, the soup features a yellow coconut curry broth with ginger, galangal, lemongrass, and lime. In addition, the soup is packed with simmered chicken and healthy veggies such as carrots, shiitake mushrooms, red bell peppers, and edamame.
Meanwhile, the new Citrus Asian Crunch Salad With Chicken features fresh romaine lettuce, chopped broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and kale dressed with delicious chicken thigh meat, crisped carrots, and teriyaki sauce.
Thai-Inspired Menu Items
Panera Bread Launches Thai Chicken Soup and Citrus Asian Crunch Salad
Trend Themes
1. Global Flavor Diversity in Fast-casual Restaurants - The trend towards creating innovative, culturally diverse menu items like Thai-inspired dishes presents an opportunity for fast-casual restaurants to differentiate themselves and appeal to adventurous palates.
2. Health-conscious Menu Options in Fast-casual Restaurants - With the introduction of healthy ingredients, such as edamame and kale, in the Thai Chicken Soup and Citrus Asian Crunch Salad With Chicken, there is an opportunity for fast-casual restaurants to cater to the health-conscious consumer.
3. Exploring New Culinary Influences - The growing trend of exploring new culinary influences, such as Thai cuisine, provides opportunities for chefs and restaurateurs to re-imagine traditional dishes and create unique, flavor-focused menu items.
Industry Implications
1. Fast-casual Restaurants - Fast-casual restaurants have the opportunity to capitalize on the trend towards global flavor diversity, and offer health-conscious menu options.
2. Agribusiness and Produce - The incorporation of new, healthy ingredients like edamame and kale in Panera Bread's Thai Chicken Soup and Citrus Asian Crunch Salad with Chicken presents opportunities for agribusiness and produce industries to expand their offerings and cater to health-conscious consumers.
3. Food and Beverage Manufacturing - The development of new, culturally diverse menu items requires the innovation and creativity of food and beverage manufacturers to supply unique flavors and ingredients.