Some famous food mascots are based on real people, some are fictional and cartoonish, and some fall somewhere in between. These middle-ground designs often aim to convey a real sense of warmth, friendliness, and familiarity, and perhaps none exemplifies this better than the Panera Bread logo, which features a woman named Mother Bread.

The sourdough bread starter is also called a "mother," and Panera's logo is meant to show Mother Bread carrying the starter to the bakery. The maternal figure, who holds the starter like a mother might hold a baby, conveys the warmth, comfort, and contentment that Panera hopes to give its customers.

The Panera Bread logo has undergone several changes — In 2005, a yellow background was added to give it a warmer glow, and the font was changed in 2011. More recently, in 2020, a green arch was placed behind Mother Bread, which represents the mouth of a bread oven as well as Panera's commitment to whole, natural ingredients.