BOARDMAN, Ohio - The newest drive-thru Panera Bread has opened in Boardman on Tuesday. 

Covelli Enterprises, the Warren-headquartered largest franchise of Panera, moved the bakery-cafe from its Shops at Boardman Park location to South Avenue next to Giant Eagle.

This grand opening marks 20 years of Panera Bread in the Valley.

The new location allows Panera Bread to offer updates and conveniences to its loyal Boardman customers that it has served over the last two decades. 

"This grand opening is a very special one for us," said Sam Covelli, owner/operator of Covelli Enterprises. "Our very first Panera Bread was opened in Boardman. So this opening marks 20 years of growing our business in the Valley and across the country. A lot has changed over that time, but our love for this community will never change. We are grateful to the people of the Valley for their support over the last 20 years and we look forward to continuing to give back as much as we can in appreciation."  

Panera Bread is celebrating its opening with several special offers and giveaways.

Tuesday and Wednesday, customers will receive a $5 gift card with the purchase of a You-Pick-Two for use on future visits.

These offers will be honored only at the new bakery-cafe location. 

The cafe is also offering 50 percent off any online order for rapid pick-up or delivery to home or office through the Panera Bread app or website using the code "BOARDMANOPENING" at checkout.

Panera Bread promises delivery within a designated 8-minute delivery radius from the cafe. 

Delivery requires a minimum order of only $5 with the addition of a $3 delivery charge.

All delivery orders are currently placed online (credit card only) using the Panera Bread app or on its website.

Hours of delivery service are set for 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., meaning the first delivery order can be placed at 10:30 a.m. and the last at 7:30 p.m.

The opening is expected to add approximately 75 employees from the area, both full and part-time.

"The Valley is our home, so we will continue, as we always have, to seek ways to grow our business right here and make good on our commitment to serve the people of this Valley by giving back in any way that we can," said Covelli. 

This will be the company's 6th location in the Valley with a drive-thru. Over the last five years, aligning with the goals of Panera 2.0, Covelli Enterprises has made it a priority to retrofit drive-thrus into existing locations when possible or relocate stores to accommodate drive-thrus.

The Panera Bread on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown was remodeled earlier this year to include a drive-thru and the locations in Canfield and Hermitage, Pennsylvania were also retrofitted with drive-thru windows within the last several years. 

Covelli Enterprises recently hosted the 9th Annual Panerathon that raised $515,000 for the Mercy Health Foundation and the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center.

To date, the event has raised more than $2.5 million.