JUST IN: Panera Bread expanding its delivery service to more locations

The Dayton-area franchisee for Panera Bread will start delivering small orders at its Englewood location next week.

Covelli Enterprises, the Warren, Ohio-based franchisee of Panera Bread in the greater Dayton area, announced this morning that the Englewood restaurant — which opened in August 2016 at 9194 N. Main St. in front of the Meijer store — will begin offering delivery on March 22.

>> 5 restaurants that shut down at or near the Mall at Fairfield Commons

Another Covelli-operated Panera at 1950 North Bechtle Ave. in Springfield will launch delivery this Thursday, March 15, company officials said.

>> TODAY: That ‘other’ fast-bake pizza chain in the region is growing rapidly, too

Covelli first started delivery service in the Dayton market in June 2016. By the end of this month, it will offer delivery at nine of its 13 Dayton-area locations: Huber Heights, Brown Street, Beavercreek, Miller Lane, Springfield, The Greene, Sugarcreek Twp. (Willmington Pike), Austin Landing and Englewood, a Covelli spokeswoman told this news outlet today, March 14. Locations in Centerville, Troy, Kettering and the Dayton Mall do not yet offer the service, the spokeswoman said.

Credit: Elie Gardner

Credit: Elie Gardner

>> Your guide to St. Patrick’s Day events in Dayton

“Our testing has confirmed that sandwiches and salads are highly desirable foods that travel well… Longer term, we believe delivery can significantly contribute to both sales and profit growth,” Panera officials said at the time in an annual report filed with the SEC.

>> 3 restaurants gearing up to open at The Greene

Covelli saw strong growth in sales in its stores that offered delivery and is making delivery of small orders available in more areas it serves, according to a release.

>> 4 Dayton Mall-area restaurants that have shut their doors

“Offering small-order delivery is a fantastic opportunity for us,” said Sam Covelli, owner and CEO of Covelli Enterprises. “We hope to be able to continue to reach new customers but also offer this incredibly convenient service to our existing loyal customers who are unable to make it to the bakery café on a regular basis.”

>> The Greene evicts one of its own restaurants

Delivery requires a minimum order of $5. The delivery charge is $3. All delivery orders must be placed online using a credit card via either the Panera Bread app or the company's website, panerabread.com. Hours of delivery service are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., meaning the first delivery order can be placed at 10:30 a.m. and the last at 7:30 p.m.

>> New Xenia brewery now brewing beer and gearing up to open

Covelli Enterprises is the single largest franchisee of Panera Bread, operating more than 300 Panera Bread bakery-cafés in eight states.

About the Author