Panera adds first drive-thru in Springfield

Panera Bread Co. franchisee Traditional Bakery Inc. has added its first Springfield drive-thru to an existing store across from Battlefield Mall.

The drive-thru at the 1570 E. Battlefield Road Panera Bread eatery was completed this week and opens to the public Dec. 11, said Traditional Bakery spokeswoman Elisa Kruger.

Kruger said Traditional Bakery, which operates eight other drive-thru locations in Arkansas and Oklahoma, has no current plans to retrofit its four other stores in Springfield. But, according to spokeswoman Claudine Stark, the franchisee isn't ruling out the possibility.

"We are looking at every option," Stark said via email, noting the franchisee's first drive-thru opened in May 2009 in Oklahoma City.

Construction on the Battlefield location ranged from $300,000 to $500,000, and was completed in 10 weeks by Limestone Construction, Stark said.

Springfield-based Traditional Bakery operates 35 Panera Bread cafes in four states, which combined annual sales approaching $100 million, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.