Closure of NC Panera facility part of push toward 'on-demand baking model' | wfmynews2.com

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GREENSBORO, N.C. — On Friday, Panera Bread filed a WARN Notice with the North Carolina Department of Commerce to inform the state that it will close its fresh-dough facility in Greensboro, a move that will impact 80 employees.

Now, we have some clarity on what led to the decision to close the facility on Tudor Lane. It has to do with the company's testing of a new "on-demand baking model."

Under this new model, third-party bakeries will make the dough before it is par-baked and frozen. Then, the goods are sent to individual Panera locations, where employees can finish baking on an as-needed basis.

"As part of this transition, we had to make the difficult decision to close our Greensboro commissary facility," Panera said in a statement. "Any decision that impacts our teams is never made lightly, and we are deeply grateful for the contributions of all impacted team members."

Panera said it will support laid-off employees at the facility by "providing comprehensive packages that include separation pay, assistance with COBRA health insurance premiums, outplacement services and support finding roles both within and outside of Panera."

The Greensboro facility is the fourth Panera bread-manufacturing center in the United States that has been affected by these plans. Panera has announced that two facilities in California — one in Ontario and another in Stockton — and a third in Lenexa, Kansas, will also close.

Panera said in a statement that its shift to the on-demand model "has allowed us to simplify operations, unlock innovation and explore new breads and unique varieties."