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The Rio Grande Valley is officially getting its first ever Panera Bread locations this coming fall.
“We could not be more excited to open the first Panera Bread restaurants in the Rio Grande Valley,” Will Collins, CEO of Merit Commercial Real Estate, said in a news release. “As the largest retail landlord and developer in the Rio Grande Valley we invest significant time recruiting top-tier restaurants and retailers. Panera Bread has been at the top of our list for the past five years.”
One of the new restaurants will be located at 2800 W. Expressway 83 in McAllen while the other will open at 201 E. Trenton Road in Edinburg.
The Edinburg location is scheduled to open in October while the McAllen location, which will be located near the Dave and Buster’s, is expected to open in November.
Each location of the popular bakery-cafe restaurant will measure 3,800 square feet and will also include drive-thru lanes.
For Rebecca Olaguibel, director of retail recruitment and retention for the city of McAllen, the addition of Panera Bread only adds to the city’s “vibrant dining scene.”
“This aligns perfectly with our city’s growth and commitment to quality-of-life amenities for our residents and visitors,” Olaguibel said in the release. “Congratulations to Merit Commercial Real Estate for adding Panera Bread to their tenant lineup and further establishing McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley as a premier destination for business, investment and commerce.”
Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. shared similar sentiments adding that the addition of Panera Bread emphasizes the Valley’s growth.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Edinburg residents to enjoy a restaurant we haven’t seen in the Rio Grande Valley before,” Garza said in the release. “Our list of retailers continues to expand, reflecting Edinburg’s growing appeal for business investment. Panera Bread is a testament to the success we’re seeing in attracting new businesses to our city.”
According to a news release from the city of Edinburg, the new location will create 40 full-time jobs with a capital investment of $5.9 million.
