Panera Bread to grow free wi-fi across all 600 stores

Panera Bread will extend free wi-fi to more of its stores under an agreement with SAVVIS Communications. Panera will use the company’s converged network services to support high-speed broadband wireless Internet access at more than 600 locations, making it the largest provider of free wi-fi Internet access in the country.

Panera expects the strategy of providing free wireless Internet access in-store will serve to increase store traffic, particularly in traditionally off-peak hours between breakfast and lunch. The service allows customers with an enabled laptop or PDA to access the Internet, check e-mail, connect to a corporate server or browse the web from within any wi-fi enabled Panera Bread bakery-café.

Panera Bread owns and franchises bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names. Savvis is a global IT utility services provider. A number of casual restaurants as well as retailers now offer wi-fi access in their establishments, either free or for a fee, including Schlotzsky’s Deli, McDonald’s and Barnes & Noble.