• by Teresa Buyikian , 6 hours ago

Panera Bread is jumping on the dirty soda trend in a new online campaign starring influencer Whitney Leavitt.

The social media personality and content creator, who is known for starring on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and “Dancing With the Stars,” unveils her “favorite” dirty soda recipe in an online video.

The dirty soda trend, which began in soda shops such as Swig throughout Utah, entails adding ingredients like cream, flavored syrups or juice to traditional sodas to create customizable combinations.

In the video, seen here, Leavitt shows viewers her dirty soda recipe -- Dr Pepper with a splash of cream -- while dancing as if she's in one of her Tik Tok vids.

The campaign highlights the chain’s Unlimited Sip Club, which gives members endless refills on over 25 beverage options for $14.99 per month. The brand has launched a limited-time offer for new subscribers: they will receive three months of free drinks when they sign up for the club with code 3FREEMO. 

The ad runs on Panera’s social media platforms and YouTube.  

Separately, despite the fact that the brand’s name literally means “breadbasket” in Latin, and fresh baked bread was its calling card, Panera announced late last month that the chain is suspending its fresh dough production nationwide. All fresh bakery locations will be closed within he next two years. The chain is moving to a "par-baked" model, in which third-party contractors will prepare, partially bake and freeze dough before shipping it to cafes for a final baking.

A spokesperson for the brand told USA Today that, with the par-baked model, stores are now able to prepare baked goods throughout the day as needed instead of just in the morning. The move also allows stores to open in places they previously could not, as they are no longer bound by the distance fresh dough facility delivery trucks could travel.