Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and Panera Bread Unveil New “Comfy Corner”

Remodeled Family Waiting Room Provides Welcoming Retreat for Families in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Falls Church, VA – (January 14, 2009) — During a special ceremony on January 13, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and Panera Bread® (NASDAQ: PNRA) unveiled the “Comfy Corner,” a remodeled waiting room for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The room was completely renovated to introduce the signature warmth of a Panera cafe to the hospital environment.

The “Comfy Corner” is a 300-square-foot waiting room that includes a variety of comfortable seating arrangements, a flat-screen TV, a dining space, books and games. It was designed to be a place where visitors can gather with others or enjoy a quiet moment alone. In addition, an entire wall of the “Comfy Corner” looks out onto Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children’s special courtyard, bringing sunshine directly into the room.

“Having a loved one in the hospital is hard. Families experience a lot of stress, a lot of worry, and a lot of waiting,” said Robert MacEachern, joint venture area director, Panera Bread. “We wanted to do what we could to lighten the load and bring a little something to the families who have children here. By creating the ‘Comfy Corner,’ we’re providing a space that can be an oasis, a reprieve from daily life in the hospital, and most of all, a place for families to come together to just be families again.”

The “Comfy Corner” is open 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-per-week to families of patients in the hospital. Stocked with various resources that can help pass the time – games, books, a television and more – the goal is for this waiting room to provide a home-like atmosphere for those with loved ones in the hospital.

“The opening of the ‘Comfy Corner’ demonstrates that great things can happen through community partnerships and philanthropy,” says Judy Bilicki, executive director, development, Inova Fairfax Hospital Campus. “As a result of the hospital’s partnership with Panera Bread and their generous support, our patients and families will benefit by having access to this specially designed room.”

The “Comfy Corner” benefited from the Panera “Operation Dough-Nation®” program. Each Panera bakery-cafe in Northern Virginia has an “Operation Dough-Nation” box where members of the community can contribute loose change to raise money for Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. Panera matches 50 percent of the community donation each month. The funds from this initiative, along with an additional donation from Panera, financed the “Comfy Corner” renovation.

For more information on the “Comfy Corner” or “Operation Dough-Nation,” contact Betsy Dexter at 859-396-9596, betsy.dexter@panerabread.com or Kristin O’Brien at 703-776-6081, kristin.obrien@inova.org.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises over 1,200 bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread® and Saint Louis Bread Co® names in North America. With its identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, Panera Bread is committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Highlighted by antibiotic free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic ingredients, Panera’s bakery-cafe selection offers flavorful, wholesome offerings. The menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites, complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. Guests are enjoying Panera’s warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free internet access provided through a managed WiFi network. At the close of each day, Panera Bread bakery-cafes donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on the Company’s website, http://www.panerabread.com.

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