Panera Welcomes First Customers, Holds Ceremonial 'Bread Cutting'

After weeks of curiosity and anticipation, customers flooded into Panera Bread at Wayland Town Center Wednesday when the restaurant opened for business.

"The town of Wayland has been more than generous," said general manager Dave Hebert.

When Panera opened its door at 6 a.m. Wednesday, the first 100 customers received a Panera travel mug, and those mugs quickly flew out the door.

By the time members of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce arrived for an 11 a.m. bread cutting (in addition to a traditional ribbon-cutting), customers filled just about every seat of the restaurant.

MetroWest Chamber President and CEO Bonnie Biocchi said Wayland Town Center as a whole represents the type of development that she's beginning to see more and more of in the area.

"It's certainly indicative of the lives we lead," Biocchi said. "People need a place where they can stop and get their pizza, do their banking, get a haircut. It's an urban feel in a rural setting where you can get a lot done in one place."

Biocchi also added that increasing the commercial tax base is critically important to many small towns in MetroWest.

Panera Bread is also a source of jobs for the area, a fact Wayland Selectman Joe Nolan focused on during his comments at the bread cutting. Nolan said 35 individuals had already been hired to work at the bakery restaurant and that some additional employees were still needed.

"We think it's really important to help the economy," Nolan said. "And this is one way to do it."

Panera will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday from 6:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.