Panera Bread opens first location in Loves Park

LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Loves Park is getting its first Panera Bread location.

Panera representatives announced that the new location, at 7310 Riverside Blvd, will officially open on Wednesday, March 26th.

It marks the restaurant chain’s third location in the Rockford area, with the first at 609 S. Perryville Road, and another at 1512 West Lane Road, in Machesney Park.

The new location uses a “smaller footprint than traditional bakery-cafes with updated ordering kiosks and a fully digitized menu. Designed with a limited dining area, the bakery-cafe is geared toward serving guests on the go,” according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to be opening the first Panera in Loves Park. We are excited to grow our presence in this wonderful community and look forward to delivering the great tasting food and impeccable service our local guests have come to expect from Panera,” said Panera’s Area Operating Partner Asta Gass.

“To celebrate the new location for a limited time (beginning opening day through June 26, 2025), local nonprofit organizations, including schools, sports teams, scout groups and more can host a fundraising event at the new Panera bakery-cafes in Loves Park and Panera will donate 30% of the net sales from the event back to the organization.This initiative is an extension of Panera’s existing Fundraising Night program but with a higher give-back during this window,” the company said.