Panera Bread is set to eliminate the Charged Lemonade within two weeks, *Bloomberg* reports. The lawsuits claim the beverage, once touted as “plant-based” and advertised to contain as much caffeine as the chain’s Dark Roast Coffee, was not sufficiently labeled for its caffeine content. Initial advertising suggested the lemonade contained 260 mg of caffeine in its smallest size and up to 390 mg in its largest.
However, Panera Bread’s current website lists the caffeine range as between 155-302 mg, depending on size. Despite the adjustment, legal complaints assert that the beverage still poses significant health risks due to its high caffeine content.
Panera Bread: New Era of Beverage Options
Panera Bread is shifting focus to drinks that better align with customers’ preferences. “We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera Bread,” the company stated to *CNN*. They plan to replace the Charged Lemonade with less caffeinated and low-sugar options like blueberry lavender lemonade, citrus punch, pomegranate hibiscus tea, and a tropical green smoothie.
Panera Bread is reportedly parting ways with its controversial Charged Lemonade. https://t.co/cGdvJNYD1W
— fox8news (@fox8news) May 7, 2024
This change aligns with Panera Bread’s broader “menu transformation” initiative, which launched nine new menu items and revamped 12 classic recipes, creating a more inclusive and health-conscious selection.
Strategic Timing Amid IPO Buzz
The strategic overhaul coincides with rumors of Panera Bread planning to go public after being acquired for $7.5 billion by JAB Holding in 2017. The company remained public for 25 years before the acquisition, and it now looks poised to reenter the public market.
Panera Bread emphasizes that its renewed menu is “guided by what our guests love the most—soups, salads, sandwiches, and our signature mac & cheese,” signaling a customer-centric approach to its new era.
