Panera Takes On McDonald’s Egg McMuffin With Runny Yolks
- Bakery chain sees over-easy approach as edge in breakfast wars
- Chain also wants the FDA’s help to more strictly define an egg
A Panera Bread restaurant in Torrance, California.
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg
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Panera Bread Co. has a plan to ignite growth during the morning hours: egg sandwiches cooked to order with runny yolks, and possibly a boost from the federal government.
The cafe chain, which does most of its business at lunch, is touting a new breakfast sandwich made with an over-easy egg and served on a brioche bun with bacon. Panera, owned by European investment firm JAB Holding Co., hopes the new product will help fuel sales during the morning hours, when demand has been relatively flat in recent years.