Why Panera Bread’s CEO wants you to think about your whole grain bread

Panera Bread suggests you start checking the ingredients in that allegedly healthy whole grain bread you eat for lunch. The restaurant chain, known for its variety of breads, said Tuesday it will start disclosing the grain content of breads on its menu. On all breads over 50% whole grain, Panera will now label servings of whole grain per slice, roll, or bagel.

St. Louis-based Panera Bread, which has more than 2,100 locations and is owned by JAB Holding Company, estimates that 50% of the fast-food chains out there don’t even offer whole grain options, let alone label grain content. Panera CEO Blaine Hurst tells Yahoo Finance the labeling is no marketing gimmick, but rather a continued effort to be ahead of consumer preferences.

Brian Sozzi is an editor-at-large at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @BrianSozzi

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