Panera Bread on FM 1960 in Cy-Fair Closes Abruptly, Leaving Locals Wondering What’s Next
For years, the Panera Bread café on FM 1960 near Eldridge served as a casual neighborhood staple—offering everything from bagels and coffee to quiet workspaces and community meetups. But as of early August, the familiar café at 12220 FM 1960 Rd W has closed its doors for good.
The sudden shutdown came with little warning to the public and is part of a wave of Panera Bread closures across Greater Houston. The location was operated by EYM Café of Texas LLC, a franchise group that recently shuttered 15 area Panera cafés after falling into deep financial and legal trouble.
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According to public court records filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 2, 2025, citing millions in debt and less than $50,000 in assets. Prior to the bankruptcy, Panera LLC had terminated the franchise agreement and filed a lawsuit alleging unpaid royalties, food safety violations, and misuse of the Panera brand. As a result, all EYM-operated locations were ordered to cease operations and remove Panera branding.
The Cy-Fair location was one of 15 Panera cafés in the region to close between August 1 and 2, leaving regulars caught off guard as doors were locked and signage remained intact but inactive. This stretch of FM 1960, which sees daily traffic from residents, workers, and commuters alike, now has one less option for casual dining and grab-and-go meals.
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Despite the closure, Panera Bread remains available to Cy-Fair residents just a few miles away at the company’s Copperfield location, located at 7049 Hwy 6, Houston, TX 77095 at the intersection of Highway 6 and FM 529. That café is still fully operational and offers the full Panera menu, including coffee drinks, soups, salads, sandwiches, and bakery items.
While the FM 1960 location’s future remains uncertain, a small notice taped to the restaurant’s front door offers a glimmer of hope: the café is expected to reopen under new ownership. No timeline or further details have been released, but the message indicates that the space may not remain empty for long.
Stay with My Neighborhood News for continued updates on restaurant openings, closures, and community developments throughout Cy-Fair and surrounding neighborhoods.
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.
