 | |
| Formerly | Cookie Muncher's Paradise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bakery, Café |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Daniel Patterson |
| Services | Soups, salads, sandwiches, baked goods |
| Parent | Panera Bread |
| Website | paradisebakery |
Paradise Bakery & Café is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based chain of bakery–café quick casual restaurants predominantly located in the western and southwestern United States. It was independently established in 1976; as of 2009, it is wholly owned by Panera Bread. In 2012, it operated 60 stores in 9 states.[1] As of 2025, locations left are in Dallas, Texas and Gretna, Nebraska.[2]
History
[edit]The chain was established in Long Beach, California, in 1976 by Daniel Patterson.[3] At the time it was known as Cookie Muncher's Paradise and exclusively sold cookies, muffins, and lemonade. By 1979, it had expanded to its product portfolio to include sandwiches, soups, salads, and other bakery items.[4]
In February 2007, a majority stake in the chain was purchased by Panera, which later bought out the remainder of the company in 2009.[4] In 2016, the majority of Paradise Bakeries (excluding locations in food courts) were converted to Panera Bread restaurants.[5] In 2012, Mark and Daniel Patterson still owned and operated one Paradise Bakery in Aspen, Colorado.[6] As of 2025, the only locations left are in Dallas, Texas and Gretna, Nebraska.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Paradise Bakery". Paradise Bakery. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- ^ a b "Locations paradisebakery". Paradise Bakery. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "Paradise Bakery & Cafe: The Challenge of Success". Stanford Graduate School of Business. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ^ a b Kneiszel, Judy (September 18, 2007). "Paradise Bakery & Café". QSR magazine. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ^ Ruggless, Ron. "Panera to close standalone Paradise units". Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ "Panera Bread Company Corporate History Page". Panerabread.com. March 30, 2010. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2012.