Panera Bread Is Back — and Spring Gets the First Location |
Panera Bread stores that closed in a franchise dispute are reopening under new ownership |
If you've driven past 3548 Rayford Road lately and wondered when the lights would come back on — your wait is almost over. Panera Bread is returning to Spring on Thursday, July 16, and it's the first of seven Houston-area locations set to reopen under new ownership.
The café has been dark since August 2025, when the previous franchise owner — caught in a legal battle with the Panera corporate brand over unpaid royalties — was forced to close all local stores after a judge issued a permanent injunction against them.
The new owner is Hamra Enterprises, a family-owned franchisee that has operated Panera Bread locations since 1997 and currently runs 88 cafés across eight states. They purchased all seven closed Texas locations in a bankruptcy sale last November and are wasting no time getting them back open.
"Hamra plans to open seven Panera Bread bakery-cafes in Texas, beginning with Spring and Katy in July 2026, creating around 280 jobs," said CEO Mike Hamra.
Texas is actually new territory for Hamra — this will be their 12th state of operation. In addition to Panera, the company also owns Wendy's, Noodles & Company, and Caribou Coffee locations, employing more than 6,000 people nationwide.
Grand Opening Perks on July 16 Show up early and there are freebies on the line:
Doors open at 6 AM. One vehicle per drive-thru giveaway, while supplies last.
The Spring location at Rayford Road is the closest one to home. Other area locations are expected to follow, including spots in Katy, Tomball Parkway, and Conroe.
Welcome back, Panera. Spring missed you. |
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88 cafes across 8 states and now Texas makes 12. They seem like they know what theyre doing
my kids are so happy about this. We used to go every Saturday morning
Brenda CastilloSame here honestly. Saturday mornings are not the same without it. My daughter keeps asking when it's coming back.
Katy opening in July too according to the CEO quote. Good to know
kevin_87Yeah I saw that in the quote too. Katy people have been waiting just as long so good timing for both.
the whole lawsuit and injunction thing was such a mess. Glad someone new stepped in
Denise TranRight? I didn't even fully understand what happened until I read this. A permanent injunction is no joke. Wild that it got that far.
what happened with the Conroe location? Article says expected to follow but no date
Spring_NeighborI was wondering the same thing. Hoping they announce a date soon because Conroe folks have been without one for a while now.
a company that has run Panera since 1997 seems like a solid pick. Less drama than whoever was here before
Matt G.Exactly. The whole unpaid royalties thing was embarrassing. A company with nearly 30 years in the business is way more reassuring.
hope they kept the same bakery items. The cinnamon crunch bagels were everything
Paula DelaneyThe cinnamon crunch bagel with hazelnut cream cheese was my whole personality on Sunday mornings. Fingers crossed they kept everything the same.
been going to the one on 45 since this one closed. Much easier having Rayford back
first 50 drive thru people getting a free baguette means the line is gonna be ridiculous at 6am lol
i drove past there last week wondering the same thing. Glad its coming back
Sandra K.I drove past so many times wondering if it was ever coming back or if they were turning it into something else. Really glad it's Panera again.
Hamra also owns Wendys? Didnt know that
280 jobs is good news for Spring
that You Pick Two certificate valid for a whole year is actually insane. Gonna be there at 6am
Jessica MorenoOnce a month for a year is genuinely a great deal. That's twelve free You Pick Twos. Worth setting an alarm for 5:30.
finally getting my broccoli cheddar soup back