Are you bready to order in Helena?

Autumn has arrived, and so have the bread bowls. Helena's new Panera opened Oct. 21 with a drive-thru line spilling into the road.

"It's been good reception so far," General Manager Michelle Sloane said, watching the cars roll in from the side street. "Thankfully, we haven't interrupted traffic." Panera has 2,206 locations across the country.



The Missouri-based chain specializes in soups, sandwiches and similar cafe fare. The new fast-casual restaurant at 1660 Vandelay Ave. on the former former Capital Hill Mall site is Montana's fourth location, joining Missoula, Kalispell and Billings.

Panera plans to be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.

m. seven days a week, according to signs. So far, only the drivethru and pickup is available, but the restaurant plans to open its dining room in the next few days or weeks, Sloane said.

She aims to make around $15,000 per day in the opening months. She expects that trend to last eight to 10 weeks. It has around 50 employees and is still hiring, Sloane said, particularly looking for around 15-20 more morning shift workers.

Hiring has gone on for a few months, with a big hiring push Oct. 15. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast-casual restaurant companies in the U.

S., comprised of Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Panera began in 1987 as St. Louis Bread Co., a community bakery founded with a sourdough starter from San Francisco.

It is now in 48 states, according to its website. Christine Compton is a reporter for the Helena Independent Record..