Panera franchisee adding at least 30 jobs to support delivery

Panera Bread franchisee Traditional Bakery Inc. is boosting its workforce to support a new delivery service coming to the Springfield market.

Launching in mid-October, home and office deliveries would be available in most areas of the Queen City, according to a news release.

Traditional Bakery Director of Marketing Claudine Stark said delivery is an initiative St. Louis-based Panera Bread Co. (NASDAQ:  PNRA) is encouraging franchisees to undertake.

“We’re just trying to keep up with our customer needs,” said Stark, noting the company is starting the service in Springfield and would gradually add it to other markets. “That’s really what it boils down to.”

To support the launch, the company plans to hire 30-35 delivery drivers in late September. Currently, the franchisee employs 330 among five local restaurants, a support center and fresh dough facility.

Officials currently are evaluating where in Springfield the delivery service will be available.

“We’re just figuring out logistically where we can deliver,” Stark said.

Traditional Bakery also is developing its new Panera Bread at 2641 E. Sunshine St., which would replace a restaurant nearby in the Southern Hills Shopping Center.

According to the release, the franchisee is adding 40-50 new jobs for the eatery expected to open by year’s end.