CRESTVIEW — New eateries, including Panera Bread and Zaxby’s, are preparing to open their doors later this month.
The chicken-based fast-food restaurant, Zaxby’s — located on the corner of South Ferdon Boulevard and Hugo Lane — is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15.
Steve Hay, who owns and operates the restaurant's Fort Walton Beach location, said the Crestview establishment will train almost 40 employees this week.
Panera Bread — a restaurant chain offering baked goods, sandwiches and soups — is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 in the newly constructed Redstone Plaza off South Ferdon Boulevard.
Joint venture general manager David Peoples, who oversees operations at Panera's Mary Esther location, said training for almost 60 employees is underway.
“We are expecting a lot of business, especially since we are near the (Interstate) 10 exit,” Peoples said.
Papa Murphy’s, a take-and-bake pizza store, recently opened in the same plaza, and co-owner Sheila McMahon said business has been “phenomenal."
“We are very pleased with what has happened here,” she said. “We keep having new people come in.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Zaxby's, Panera schedule Crestview openings