• JB SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas

Panera Bread has officially opened at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) installation here, becoming the first stand-alone Panera with a drive-thru in the Exchange’s portfolio.

The Exchange team cut the ribbon on the restaurant on Oct. 16 with help from Brig. Gen. Randy Oakland, 502nd Air Base Wing commander. “Knowing the Exchange has our backs with a new national brand restaurant — it’s familiar,” Oakland said. “It’s comforting. It shows ‘Team Exchange’ cares.”

READINESS, RESILIENCY

This marks the Exchange’s ninth Panera Bread, with more to open this year.

The addition of the eatery highlights the Exchange’s long-standing commitment to deliver national brands with Better-For-You (BFY) options to support warfighters’ readiness and resiliency. “Panera — just like all Exchange restaurants — offers Better-For-You options to keep Airmen ready, resilient and mission-focused,” said JBSA-Lackland Exchange General Manager (GM) Mikel Hunter. “This will be a place to gather, to relax, to enjoy a meal together and [to] boost morale.”

Source: AAFES

Edited by Larry Lapka