# Fast Casual Dinner Menus Panera Bread is Testing a Dinner Menu with Rice Bowls and Flatbreads By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2019-06-25 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dinner-menu References: [delish](https://www.delish.com/restaurants/a28118492/panera-bread-dinner-menu-test/) While [Panera Bread](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thai-chicken-soup) is already a go-to spot for breakfast and lunch, now the chain is looking to bring in a late day crowd with its new dinner menu. With 10 new handcrafted items on the menu, there's something for everyone. Panera Bread will begin testing out a hearty and wholesome new dinner menu at locations in Lexington, Kentucky, and Providence, Rhode Island, this Septemeber. The dinner menu will be available between 4:30PM and 10PM daily, and will feature heart options ranging from [hot sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panera-ciabatta-dippers) to [dinner bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/899-dinner-deal). Some of the standout dishes from the new menu include the Steak & Blue Cheese Artisan Flatbread, Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Bowl, and the Parmesan Broccoli, Sweet Potato Mash. Image Credit: *Panera Bread.* ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Fast Casual Dinner Menus:** Panera Bread's new dinner menu aims to attract a late day crowd with handcrafted, hearty options ranging from hot sandwiches to dinner bowls. - **Wholesome Dinner Options:** Panera Bread's new dinner menu introduces healthier alternatives for dinner choices such as the Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Bowl and the Parmesan Broccoli, Sweet Potato Mash. - **Expansion Into Dinner Service:** Panera Bread aims to expand its restaurant hours and customer base by experimenting with a dinner menu in addition to the already popular breakfast and lunch menus. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fast Casual Restaurants:** Fast casual restaurants face the opportunity to expand their customer base and increase revenue through the introduction of dinner menus and extended hours. - **Healthy Food Industry:** The healthy food industry can capitalize on the trend of providing healthier dinner options similar to Panera Bread's new Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Bowl and Parmesan Broccoli, Sweet Potato Mash. - **Convenience Store Industry:** Convenience stores that offer packaged and prepared dinners can adopt the trend of introducing healthier and heartier options, such as Panera Bread's Steak & Blue Cheese Artisan Flatbread, to attract a late-day crowd. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Savory-Sweet Bakery Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panera-bread-breakfast-menu.md) - [Thai-Inspired Menu Items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thai-chicken-soup.md) - [Bakery Dessert Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-big-treats.md) - [Lobster-Focused Summer Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seasonal-seafood-offerings.md) - [Stylish QSR-Backed Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panera-bread-2.md) - [Contactless Dine-In Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contactless-dine-in.md) - [Green-Hued Bakery Bread Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-bread-bowl.md) - [Savory Cilantro-Infused Chilis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hearty-fireside-chili.md) - [Cheesy Toasted Baguette Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toasted-baguette-sandwiches.md)