Here’s why one of NewMarket Square’s original tenants may be moving within the center

Panera Bread has been in the same spot at NewMarket Square since both it and the center opened at 21st and Maize Road in 2001.

Now, the chain is working on plans to move from its site fronting Maize Road in the same center as the Eric Fisher Salon and Men’s Warehouse.

Panera is interested in the former Torchy’s Tacos space further up the road in a freestanding building north of the center where HomeGrown is.

Torchy’s closed both of its Wichita restaurants in 2022.

There appears to be a new mandate for Panera stores: They have to have drive-throughs.

The pandemic reinforced the importance of drive-throughs for all kinds of businesses, particularly fast-casual restaurants like Panera.

The Derby Panera was the first in Kansas to have a drive-through and one of the first Paneras in the country with one. Its success led to more everywhere.

The Panera at NewMarket performed especially well when it opened. In fact, former franchisee Randy Simon once said the reason he was opening more Paneras around Wichita was because of how well the NewMarket Panera did. He said there was a stronger response to the business than he expected.

That was long before so many other restaurants opened at the center and on the west side in general, so that drive-through is more important now than ever.

Though Panera has started permitting paperwork with the city, the deal isn’t finalized, so something could still change.

This story was originally published June 20, 2024 at 12:17 PM.