VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Panera Bread held a soft opening Thursday in Valdosta.
Community members were allowed to come out and order anything off the menu for free.
It wasn't just the free food people enjoyed, they liked the expansion of options to choose from.
Residents say the opening of Panera is a sign of positive change happening in Valdosta.
"There's a lot of young talent in the area, I'm a teacher in the area, so I see a lot of the talent leave, but I think the new businesses further prepares them and exposes them to different communities, but it kinda helps them see that there's a lot of opportunity for growth here in town," said Ade Oni, a resident in Valdosta.
The soft open served as practice for restaurant employees before the actual opening.
Panera Bread is set to open officially this Saturday, June 23.
