Strauss Borrelli PLLC, a leading class action law firm, is investigating Panera regarding its recent mass layoff in Fairfield, New Jersey. The WARN Act is a federal law that requires certain employers to notify their employees, in writing, at least 60 days before a plant closing or mass layoff takes effect. As a result, we believe Panera employees may be entitled to 60 days of severance pay and benefits.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In June 2025, Panera notified the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development of its decision to conduct a mass layoff at its facility in Fairfield, New Jersey. The federal law, known as the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, requires covered employers to provide 60 days’ prior written notice to employees, their representatives, and certain government parties in the event of a mass layoff or plant closing. We are investigating whether Panera failed to provide at least 60 days’ notice before laying off 201 employees and, therefore, violated the WARN Act.
ABOUT THE WARN ACT:
The WARN Act is a federal law passed in 1988 by Congress that requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide a 60-day notice of significant layoffs or plant closings. This notice gives workers and their families time to prepare for job loss, seek new employment, and pursue training or retraining opportunities. The WARN Act aims to reduce the impact of sudden job loss on workers and communities by ensuring they have sufficient time to transition. Generally, employees must receive a WARN Act notice if they are laid off or if their hours are cut by 50% or more in any six-month period because of a plant closing or mass layoff. It is possible that a temporary layoff may still violate the WARN Act if it ends up lasting longer than six months.
Employers who do not follow the WARN Act rules, either by giving notice too late or providing unclear notices, may have to pay employees back pay and benefits for the time they were in violation.
If you or someone you know was laid off from Panera, we would like to speak with you about your rights and potential legal remedies. Please fill out the form below or contact us at 872.263.1100 or sam@straussborrelli.com
ABOUT PANERA:
Panera, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a fast-casual bakery-café chain in the U.S., operating over 2,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. It specializes in freshly baked goods and serves a full menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast items.
If you or someone you know were laid off by Panera:
We would like to speak with you about your rights and potential legal remedies. Please fill out the form below or contact us at 872.263.1100 or sam@straussborrelli.com.
