L-R: Darrin McCready, Exchange Services & Food VP, Darryl Porter, Exchange Services & Food SVP, Steve Shaw, Fort Campbell Exchange GM, Col. Andrew Jordan, Fort Campbell Garrison commander, Brett Chernick, Panera Franchise Operations Manager and Jess Marti
FORT CAMPBELL – Soldiers and their families at Fort Campbell are enjoying unique tastes of home as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service opened the first Panera Bread location on an Army or Air Force installation.
“In July, Fort Campbell was recognized by the Commander-in-Chief as the installation of excellence for the Army for 2020,” said Col. Andrew Jordan, Fort Campbell Garrison commander. “It’s only fitting that Fort Campbell be the first Army installation to have the first Panera Bread and share that experience with our Army families.”
Located in the Fort Campbell food court, Panera Bread offers better-for-you salads and sandwiches with poultry and pork raised without antibiotics as well as menu items free of artificial additives.
“The Exchange is honored that the home of the Screaming Eagles is opening the first Panera Bread restaurant,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “Huge thanks to Col. Jordan and his garrison team for all they personally did to bring this great Quality-of-Life improvement to Ft. Campbell.”
All of the Exchange’s 1,700+ restaurants, including Panera, offer better-for-you choices to support Warfighters’ readiness and resiliency.
Diners lined up at Panera Bread’s grand opening at Fort Campbell on Oct. 27
“The Exchange continually works to bring name-brand restaurants to the communities we are honored to serve,” said Fort Campbell Exchange General Manager Steve Shaw. “Restaurants like Panera Bread help ensure the Exchange is ready to meet the needs of every member of our military family.”
Soldiers, family members and retirees lined up to be among the first to dine at the new restaurant.
“It’s great to have this here and it’s super convenient,” said Warrant Officer Jason Thompson, the first Soldier in line at Panera. “This gives Soldiers here a different option and is a healthier choice than your typical fast food chain.”
The Exchange is exploring additional locations for future Panera Bread restaurants.
The Fort Campbell Panera will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The restaurant joins Qdoba, Sarku, Popeye’s, Charleys and Burger King in the Exchange’s food court.
Facebook-friendly version: Soldiers and their families at Fort Campbell land first Panera Bread on an Army or Air Force installation. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-1Sg.
— 30 —
Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 54th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.4 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
###
Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-3861 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange