A Panera Bread has opened on Binghamton University’s campus, offering seating for over 100 people and the full Panera Bread menu, including sandwiches, soups, salads, bread and other baked goods.

The Panera marks the completion of step one of the two-year renovation of the former Chenango Dining Room. Students can access the Panera through the Lecture Hall side of the building. The second floor of the building is being renovated into a 2,000-square-foot event and dining space.

Marco Sassone, a junior majoring in business administration, said he enjoyed the space in an interview with Pipe Dream.

“I really like the vibe of the Panera,” Sassone said. “I feel like I can study here. I feel like I can get here from a lot of the main locations on campus. Prices are a little high, I can’t lie, but I know that goes for all of Panera. But overall, I really like it, and I’m glad the school came through.”

Paola Mignone, BU’s assistant vice president for residential experiences and auxiliaries, told students to expect “straight-up Panera,” in an interview with BingUNews.

“We’re excited to welcome Panera Bread as a new dining option for the campus community this semester,” Mignone wrote in an email to Pipe Dream. “We look forward to opening the second phase of the project in October, which includes a redesigned full-service restaurant well-appointed for lunch meetings, interviews, or small meetings, as well as informal meals and a separate dedicated event venue with seating for nearly 200 people, a retractable stage, a full-sized glass wall overlooking the Spine, and access to outdoor seating.”

The full-service restaurant is intended to create a versatile space for students and staff, according to Cindy Cowden, senior associate director of strategic operations.

The Panera was originally set to open on Aug. 19, 2018. On Feb. 23, 2018, a B-Line news addition was sent to all students to announce a delay in the Panera plans. The delay was reportedly due to staff and student concerns about the closing of the Chenango Dining Room, an on-campus restaurant, with Binghamton University Dining Services stating at the time that they were considering different locations for the Panera.

The Panera space in the Chenango Dining Room was formerly home to Einstein’s Bagels, which has since been moved to the Fine Arts Building.

“I’ve been talking to new students and families since Admitted Students Day about Panera coming online this year, and the reaction and the feedback were overwhelmingly positive,” said Cowden. “This has become an added attraction, elevating our campus community. We’re so excited that we can finally bring them this new dining experience.”

Ultimately, the Chenango Dining Room moved to a space in Hinman Dining Hall after the spring 2024 semester, and Panera opened in its place on Aug. 10, 2026.

“I like the Panera,” said Eric Apodiacos, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry, in an interview with Pipe Dream. “I think it’s really good. Had a sandwich yesterday — it was awesome. I think the menu’s good. The location’s pretty good. No complaints.”

The Panera will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday. It will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Mobile ordering is available through the Grubhub app and can be linked to the student meal plan.

“I think it’s good for the community,” said Andrew Zizzo, a junior majoring in economics. “I mean, we need more stuff to eat around here, and they came through.”