After months of reporting on closures in Missoula, pandemic related or not, it's nice to be able to share that we are closer to enjoying a Panera! For decades Missoula has been teased with Olive Garden rumors, we've given up on that and we're stoked for a new sandwich and soup option. We've got some amazing local sandwich places, but variety is the spice of life, right?

We kept hearing that a new Panera would go into the parking lot of Target on North Reserve, in fact, the rumors were swirling as far back as 2018. All we ever saw out there were campers and RVs that had been 86'd from the Walmart parking lot, but then the fence went up. And now, da da da! A Panera sign has appeared!

If you've never been, Panera smells delicious because they always have fresh bread baking or coming out of the oven. They've got hot & cold sandwiches, bagels, pastries, breakfast, soups and salads. Plus, a kids menu and low calorie craft drinks.They haven't announced an official opening date yet, but it's gotta be soon as they are now hiring. You can apply now to be a manager, baker, retail associate and more, find the online application here.

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