Panera Bread's new Double Bread Bowl comes to Dayton just in time for Valentine's Day

Want to share soup with your Valentine?

Panera Bread is making it easy with its new Double Bread Bowls, which launch Thursday at Dayton-area cafes nationwide, a spokeswoman for local the local franchisee confirmed.

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A loaf-sized version of the St. Louis-based bakery-cafe chain's sourdough bread bowl, the double bowl has two circular openings, which you can fill with soup or one of the restaurants' several mac and cheese options.

Last summer, Panera tested the double bowl in Philadelphia.

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"Since the test launch, we've seen an overwhelming response on social media from fans asking, 'When will Double Bread Bowls come to my city?' We're excited to answer that demand and spread the bread to guests nationwide," Tom Sadler, Panera's Vice President of Food & Beverage Product Development said in a statement.

Starting at $9.99, the Double Bread Bowl will be available in bakery-cafes, on the website, on the app for Rapid Pickup or delivery where available. Price and participation vary.

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There are 91 different combinations when ordering at the restaurant giving customers "a chance to exercise their culinary creativity," the company said. There are only five combinations available when ordering online or with the app.

But soup fans, brace yourselves: Double soup bowls are a limited-time item and will be baked fresh daily Thursday through Feb. 28, while supplies last.

"The Double Bread Bowl encourages our guests to take their favorite soups to the next level and share an unforgettable meal with a friend or loved one," Sadler said.

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