Gallon of milk with your coffee? Panera Bread offering grocery items

Panera Bread is turning to groceries as its sit-down dining rooms across the country have closed amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The restaurant chain is offering breads, bagels, gallons of milk, yogurt, cream cheese and fresh produce to customers either to go or through delivery services.

Panera Bread menu items such as coffee, bakery items, soup, salad and sandwiches are still available.

The company said it wants to help customers by providing another outlet to get groceries and lessen trips from home.

“From limited choices on grocery shelves to the growing need to limit the number of trips outside of the home, it is an incredibly stressful time when it comes to putting wholesome food on the table, and we knew Panera could help,” said Panera CEO Niren Chaudhary in a statement.

Restaurants, like many businesses, have been greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Grocery sales on the other hand have grown.

CNBC reported Panera lost half its business once its dining rooms closed.

The items at Panera are available through contactless delivery, pick-up, drive-up and drive-thru as well as through delivery via Grubhub, the company said.