panera boardman

Phillips Sekanick Architects designed the Panera Bread in Boardman, Ohio, as a first-of-its-kind prototype introducing a new generation of interior and exterior design for the national bakery-café brand. Located at 7121 South Avenue in Boardman’s active retail corridor, the restaurant was developed with Panera corporate and franchisee Covelli Enterprises to create an open, comfortable dining environment with expanded seating, an outdoor patio, and drive-thru service.

The compact site required careful architectural and engineering coordination. A limited building parcel, sloping topography, vehicle circulation, and stormwater-management requirements all influenced the design. Phillips Sekanick Architects used strategic restaurant planning and efficient site design to maximize interior space and site functionality, while extensive glazing brings natural light into the café and strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor dining.

The design successfully translated Panera’s evolving prototype into a distinctive Boardman location. At its opening, Sam Covelli described the atmosphere as “more of a feeling that you’re in a living room than in a restaurant.” One visitor later noted that “the decor is what sets this location apart.”

The project demonstrates Phillips Sekanick Architects’ experience in restaurant architecture, prototype development, franchise design, commercial site planning, drive-thru design, and food service facilities, combining national brand standards with a site-specific architectural solution.