---
title: "Panera taps viral power of Therapuss star Jake Shane"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/37a2da6c-fc52-4731-874c-0cb4763ff403
source: "Nation's Restaurant News"
original_url: https://www.nrn.com/marketing-branding/panera-taps-viral-power-of-therapuss-star-jake-shane
author: "Lisa Jennings"
category: "Bakery & breakfast"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Bakery & breakfast"
published: 2026-06-09T10:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T13:16:46.798Z
image: https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltea7aee2fca050a19/bltf1e88b891c4aaae8/6a27554ad6dfcc4e77233bb9/JakeShanePanera.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale
---

# Panera taps viral power of Therapuss star Jake Shane

**TL;DR:** Panera has partnered with influencer Jake Shane for a new social media marketing campaign featuring a custom Pass That Panera Meal. The campaign is part of Panera's RISE turnaround effort, which includes menu upgrades and operational improvements.

*By Lisa Jennings, originally published in Nation's Restaurant News on 2026-06-09. [Read the original](https://www.nrn.com/marketing-branding/panera-taps-viral-power-of-therapuss-star-jake-shane).*

## Story

Panera is leaning into social media marketing efforts in a new partnership with influencer Jake Shane.

The fast-casual chain on Tuesday introduced a new Pass That Panera Meal limited-time offer featuring a custom order by the comedian and “viral creator.”

Launched earlier this year, the Mix & Match value menu allows guests to enjoy two or more half items from a selection of Panera favorites for just $4.99 each. Panera also has the new Salad Stuffers, featuring essentially salad stuffed into a hollowed out baguette.

Shane’s meal brings the two together with a Caesar Salad Stuffer with added chicken, paired with a Fuji Apple Chicken Salad and Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup.

Shane (@octopusslover8, with 4 million followers on TikTok) is known on YouTube, Netflix and Spotify for his Therapuss series, in which he puts himself in the (amateur) therapist seat with celebrities and others.

“I wouldn’t stop talking about the new Salad Stuffers until Panera agreed to put one on the Mix & Match Menu,” Shane said in a statement. “They are easily one of my favorite things to eat right now, and I love that the Caesar with chicken is now available for under five dollars when you mix and match.”

A creative campaign featuring Shane also launched on Tuesday, with the content creator guiding viewers through the menu.

The campaign is the latest move in Panera’s ongoing RISE turnaround effort, which has included menu upgrades and operational improvements.

## Entities

- QSR (sector)
- menu pricing (topic)
- Nation's Restaurant News (publication)
- social media marketing (topic)
- Lisa Jennings (person)
- Panera Brands (company)
- brand turnaround (topic)
- influencer partnership (topic)
- Jake Shane (person)
- Therapuss (company)

---
Originally reported by Lisa Jennings, Nation's Restaurant News (https://www.nrn.com/marketing-branding/panera-taps-viral-power-of-therapuss-star-jake-shane). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/37a2da6c-fc52-4731-874c-0cb4763ff403).