Hamra Enterprises Opens Second Panera Bread® in Greater Houston, Bringing Fresh-Baked Hospitality to Katy

Family-owned Panera Bread franchisee since 1998 continues its Texas expansion following a successful debut in Spring

KATY, TX — Hamra Enterprises, a nationwide, family-owned restaurant franchisee headquartered in Springfield, Mo., today announced the opening of its second Panera Bread® café in the Greater Houston area, located at 25546 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, TX 77494, with a grand opening celebration on opening day, Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The Katy café follows Hamra’s first Texas location, which opened in Spring, TX on July 16 — marking the company’s arrival in its 12th state.

Katy is the second of seven planned Panera Bread cafés across Houston, Spring, Katy, and Conroe, representing the largest single-market launch in Hamra’s history. A Panera Bread franchisee since 1998, Hamra Enterprises has spent nearly three decades deepening its partnership with the brand, growing its Panera portfolio to 88 cafés across eight states through a people-first, community-centered approach to restaurant operations. With Katy, Hamra now owns and operates 191 locations under the Panera Bread, Wendy’s, and Noodles & Company brands, employing over 6,000 people across 12 states.

Guests at the Katy café will enjoy the complete Panera Bread experience — freshly baked bread, signature mac and cheese, soups, and sandwiches — in a warm, inviting setting. The location also offers free Wi-Fi, an outdoor patio, and convenient options like Rapid Pick-Up®, drive-thru, and delivery through the Panera App and Website.

Hamra’s approach to restaurant operations is rooted in a simple conviction: that great hospitality and genuine community investment go hand in hand. Each Hamra-operated Panera café provides job opportunities for the community it serves and engages with its neighborhood as if it is the only location in the portfolio. Guests at the seven Houston-area cafés can expect the full Panera Bread experience — fresh-baked bread, signature soups and sandwiches, and the clean, welcoming environment the brand is known for — along with Rapid Pick-Up®, drive-thru ordering where available, and the MyPanera® loyalty program.

“We have spent 50 years earning the trust of guests across 11 states, and we do not take lightly what it means to serve in a new market. Houston is one of the most dynamic, diverse, and food-forward cities in the country, and we are committed to being an operator this community is proud to have. We are here to serve, we are here to give back, and we are here to stay.”

— Mike Hamra, CEO, Hamra Enterprises

The grand opening celebration begins at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon cutting at 10:05 a.m., featuring remarks from Mike Hamra and Katy Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele, along with the Katy High School cheer team.

The first 100 dine-in guests with any purchase will receive a FREE You Pick Two Certificate — once a month for an entire year.

The Greater Houston cafés are expected to open by the end of 2026 and are located at:

• 3548 Rayford Rd, Spring, TX 77386 – opened July 16
• 25546 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, TX 77494 – opening August 5
• 12220 FM West 1960 W, Houston, TX 77065
• 19506 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094
• 22521 Tomball Pkwy, Suite 125, Houston, TX 77070
• 1302 West Davis, Suite F, Conroe, TX 77304
• 13704 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77065

Hamra is proud to continue its partnership with Make-A-Wish® Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana as its local Houston-area nonprofit partner.

At Make-A-Wish, we believe life-changing wishes are made possible when our community comes together to support our mission. We are incredibly grateful to partner with Hamra Enterprises, a Panera Bread franchisee that empowers customers across Houston to make a meaningful difference for local children with critical illnesses. This partnership helps create hope, joy, and renewed strength for wish children and their families

– Shelly Millwee, President and CEO, Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana.

Since 1976, Hamra Enterprises has contributed more than $7.2 million to nonprofit partners nationwide. Houston joins a portfolio of communities that have come to count on Hamra as a neighbor, not just a restaurant. To learn more about Hamra’s community giving programs, visit hamraenterprises.com/giving-back.

About Hamra Enterprises

Hamra Enterprises is a dynamic organization owned and founded in 1975 by the Hamra family, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, and includes three restaurant brands with 6,000 employees across 12 states. Hamra Enterprises is committed to providing the highest quality products and services within the hospitality industry, creating exceptional experiences for people and communities by engaging each of its restaurant neighborhoods through community service, fundraising, and other philanthropic partnerships such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish of Illinois, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. For more information, visit hamraenterprises.com.