Panera Bread Locations on Katy Freeway and Kingsland Boulevard Closes Amid Franchise Bankruptcy
Longtime Katy residents were surprised to find two Panera Bread locations—at 19506 Katy Freeway and 25546 Kingsland Blvd—abruptly shuttered earlier this month, with no prior warning to customers or the public.
The closures are part of a larger pattern across Greater Houston, where 15 Panera Bread cafés have closed following the financial and legal collapse of franchise operator EYM Café of Texas LLC. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 2, 2025, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas, citing millions in debt and less than $50,000 in assets.
Prior to the bankruptcy filing, Panera LLC had already terminated its franchise agreement with EYM and initiated legal action. According to public court records, the corporate lawsuit against EYM alleges unpaid royalties, food safety violations, and misuse of the Panera Bread brand. As a result, all EYM-operated cafés were ordered to cease operations and remove any Panera signage and branding.
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The two Katy locations were among the most heavily trafficked in the area—popular with commuters, families, and nearby office workers. Their sudden disappearance leaves a gap in the local fast-casual dining scene, particularly for Katy Mills shoppers and those traveling along I-10.
As of mid-August, there are no longer any Panera Bread locations within the Katy community. While Panera Bread no longer has any locations open in Katy, residents now have a new alternative with the recent opening of Einstein Bros. Bagels at 23701 Cinco Ranch Blvd., offering breakfast and lunch options in the heart of Cinco Ranch.
My Neighborhood News will continue to follow developments on whether new ownership or different eateries will occupy these shuttered sites in the future.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
