Panera Bread has agreed to pay $2.5 million in the settlement of a class-action lawsuit tied to a data breach last year.
A number of lawsuits were filed by Panera workers in June 2024 after what appeared at the time to be a cyberattack that shut down the fast-casual chain’s digital channels for about three days in February.
The workers argued in the lawsuits that they were not notified that their personal information was vulnerable until weeks or months later, including their full names and social security numbers.
The lawsuits were consolidated as a class action in October.
Panera last year said the company conducted a thorough investigation, and that workers were offered credit monitoring, identity theft insurance and other protections after the incident.
The bakery-café chain did not admit to wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement, which must still be approved by the court. The chain did agree to beef up protections, though details were not disclosed.
Company officials did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
As a result of the settlement, class members can make a claim for up to $500 for documented out-of-pocket losses, and up to $6,500 for extraordinary losses tied to identity theft or fraud, as well as a residual cash payment of $250 (plus $100 for California residents), according to court documents.
Eligible are about 147,321 people who were sent notices of the incident from Panera, including former and current workers. A small number of customers, contractors and others may also be eligible.
To opt out of the settlement, class members must respond by Oct. 13. To participate, the deadline for filing a claim is Nov. 11. The final court hearing on the settlement is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026.
Panera over the past two years has also settled lawsuits involving the chain’s former caffeinated Charged Lemonade energy drinks, which were blamed in the death and injury of several guests.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.