Fort Liberty Exchange Cuts Ribbon on Panera with Drive-Thru
Soldiers, families, retirees and other members of the Fort Liberty, N.C., community have another dining option to enjoy with the opening of the Exchange’s Panera restaurant at the Smoke Bomb Hill food court.
XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty Commanding General Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, Garrison Commander Col. John Wilcox and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Seymour joined Fort Liberty Exchange General Manager Thomas “TK” Kuttamperoor in cutting the ribbon on the restaurant Feb. 23.
This is the second Panera the Exchange has opened on a military installation and the first with a drive-thru. The restaurant has better-for-you options including salads, sandwiches, breakfast, hot and cold beverages and more. Panera’s menu features poultry and pork raised without antibiotics, as well as items free of artificial additives. All of the Exchange’s 1,500 restaurants offer better-for-you choices.
“The Exchange is thrilled to bring a fan favorite to Fort Liberty,” Kuttamperoor said. “The addition of Panera is one more way the Exchange is all in to offer Quality-of-Life improvements to all who work and live at Fort Liberty.”
On-installation delivery from Panera is also available.
Anyone can dine at Exchange restaurants, including civilians and visitors. Dining at Exchange restaurants and shopping Exchange stores help makes the military community stronger, as 100% of Exchange earnings are reinvested in the military community through support for on-post Quality-of-Life programs and capital improvements.
Panera is at Building H-4512, 2240 Rock Merritt Road, and is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
From left: Exchange Food Court Manager Korey Martinez; Exchange Panera Concept Manager Elise Donaldson; Garrison Commander Col. John Wilcox; U.S. Senator Thom Tillis’ Military Legislative Assistant Martin Martinez; XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty Commanding General Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue; Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Seymour; Fort Liberty Exchange General Manager Thomas Kuttamperoor; and Exchange Regional Vice President Chris Holifield.
