Panera, LLC Reports Data Incident to Washington State Regulators

Panera, LLC, a prominent national retailer and fast-casual restaurant chain, has filed notice with the Washington Attorney General regarding a data incident. This notification, dated April 16, 2026, initiates mandatory disclosure for affected Washington residents. The company states it is currently investigating the full scope of this event.

While the type of breach and the specific categories of data exposed were not detailed in the public filing, the notification indicates that personal information held within Panera's systems was involved. If you received a data breach letter from Panera, it confirms that your information was part of the data set accessed during this unauthorized incident.

Companies like Panera, LLC routinely collect various forms of customer data to facilitate operations and loyalty programs. The filing serves to alert individuals whose information may have been compromised to take protective measures. This incident is presented here as part of the public record for reference and verification.

It is important to remain vigilant following any data incident. Review any notification letter received from Panera, LLC carefully for specific details they may have provided directly to you. Monitor your financial accounts and statements for any unusual activity or transactions you do not recognize.

Consider placing a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit reports with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) as a precautionary measure. Be wary of unsolicited communications, particularly those asking for personal details or login credentials, as these could be phishing attempts.

Regularly change passwords for online accounts and utilize strong, unique passwords for each service. Enable multi-factor authentication wherever it is available to add an extra layer of security. These steps can help reduce the risk of further unauthorized access to your accounts.