The line to be the first person in line for the 6 a.m. opening of Panera Bread began forming at 9:30 p.m. the night prior.
Amelia Perez and a small handful of friends spent the night huddling together while overnight temperatures dropped into the mid-60s.
Perez and the first 100 guests visiting the restaurant this morning will enjoy a year’s supply of Panera meals, according to the company.
Higgins, who took a few minutes to speak with InBuckeye while greeting guests at the front door, said he was thrilled to be selected to run the new restaurant, which will be operated as a corporate store, rather than as a franchise.
He said he’s spent the last few weeks hiring the staff of about 65 to run the restaurant.
The opening marks the first Panera Bread to open a bakery-café in Buckeye, and represents the 34th Panera Bread in greater Phoenix.
“We’re proud to bring our first Panera to Buckeye and excited to be a part of this vibrant community,” said Shane Weismann, director of retail operations. “We look forward to serving our guests with the delicious food and warm, welcoming service Panera is known for.”
