Meyerland Crossing is set to receive the first Panera Bread cafe open under the new franchise president, Alex von Waaden.
Meet the owners
Co-founders Monica and Mark von Waaden opened their first Panera Bread cafe in Pasadena in 2003 and, according to an April 30 news release, have spent the past 23 years growing the family business across the Greater Houston area.
Their son, Alex von Waaden, was named president of the franchise in 2025, and the Meyerland Crossing store opening will be the first new cafe under his leadership.
“Opening our Meyerland Crossing cafe is a meaningful moment for our team and for me personally,” said Waaden. “My parents built this business one cafe at a time by putting guests and team members first, and that’s the standard I want us to live up to here in Meyerland."
What they offer
Panera Bread is a fast-casual cafe and bakery concept that offers sandwiches, soups, salads, breakfast and bakery items, including bagels, pastries and soufflé.
The new location will also include expanded off-premise and to-go options for customers, with curbside pick-up, drive-thru, rapid pick-up and delivery. Inside the cafe will include various seating areas, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor patio.
One more thing
The first 100 guests to stop by the Meyerland Crossings' new bakery-cafe during the May 6 grand opening will receive a free "you pick two" for a year coupon. The first 250 guests will also receive a free baguette, per the release.
The store will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
