CONTACT INFO:
DIANA CONCONI
416.850.0123
diana@agencynextdoor.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Panera Bread® Honours Breast Cancer Awareness Month with
Pink Ribbon Bagel®
Bagels available in Ontario bakery-cafes beginning October 1
To Benefit Rethink Breast Cancer
TORONTO, ON, September 24, 2014 – Panera Bread is joining the fight against breast cancer for the 14th
year by baking its signature Pink Ribbon Bagels. A staple every October in honour of Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, the sales of more than 9 million signature Pink Ribbon Bagels® over the years have
raised over $2 million for breast cancer charities system-wide.
This October, at participating Panera bakery-cafes in Ontario, a portion of the sale of each Pink Ribbon
Bagel will be donated to Rethink Breast Cancer to help support its mission to continuously pioneer
cutting-edge breast cancer education, support and research that speak fearlessly to the unique needs of
young (or youngish) women.
To celebrate the Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign’s 14-year North American anniversary, Panera will
donate .25 cents to benefit Rethink for every Pink Ribbon Bagel sold during the month of October.
On Wednesday, October 8th, Panera will celebrate “Go Pink” Day and donate 100% of all sales of Pink
Ribbon Bagels to Rethink
“Panera Bread locations in Ontario are honoured to work alongside our customers to support Rethink in
October,” said Maria Paletta, Local Marketing Coordinator. “We’re proud to offer the Pink Ribbon Bagel
as a way to help raise both funds and attention for the cause during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
Shaped in the form of the iconic pink ribbon, the Pink Ribbon Bagel features cherry chips, dried cherries
and cranberries, vanilla, honey, and brown sugar, and is baked fresh each morning by Panera’s bakers at
each bakery-cafe.
The Pink Ribbon Bagel concept began in 2001, when Sue Stees, co-owner of 18 Panera Bread franchises
and a breast cancer survivor, began searching for ways to help other women fighting the same disease.
Her search led her to the kitchen where she developed the Pink Ribbon Bagel. She sold 27,000 bagels in
her bakery-cafes that first year and was awarded the “You Can Make a Difference Award” from Susan G.
Komen for the Cure.
-more-
Page two – Panera Bread® Honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Pink Ribbon Bagel®
About Panera Bread
As of July 30, 2014, there are 1,818 bakery-cafes in 45 states and in Ontario, Canada operating under the
Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® or Paradise Bakery & Cafe® names. We feature high quality,
reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in
handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that
people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by chicken raised without
antibiotics, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial
trans-fat per serving, which provide flavourful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety
of year-round favourites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating
new standards in everyday food choices. In neighbourhoods across the United States and in Ontario,
Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering
areas, relaxing decor and free Internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked
goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on our website,
http://www.panerabread.com.
About Rethink Breast Cancer
Rethink Breast Cancer is an innovative charity that reaches out to young people concerned about and
affected by breast cancer. Rethink is the first ever Canadian charity to bring bold, relevant awareness to
the under 40s crowd; foster a new generation of young and influential breast cancer supporters; infuse
sass and style into the cause; and, most importantly, respond to the unique needs of young (and
youngish) women going through it. By taking a breakthrough approach to all aspects of breast cancer –
education, support, advocacy and fundraising – Rethink Breast Cancer is thinking differently about how
to beat breast cancer. To find out more about Rethink Breast Cancer,
visit www.rethinkbreastcancer.com.
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