Chris Briney Shines in Panera's Comedic Ad Campaign, Highlighting Versatility Beyond TV Role

Christopher Briney, known for his role as Conrad Fisher in the popular series "The Summer I Turned Pretty," is branching out from the seaside setting to feature in Panera's latest advertising campaign. The actor's involvement in this new initiative marks a departure from his usual dramatic portrayal, bringing a comedic twist to his professional repertoire.

Briney's participation sees him wrestling with decisions not dissimilar to those faced by his character in the series, albeit with a lighter touch. In the minute-long spot released on YouTube on August 7, Briney is depicted confronting a dilemma over selecting from Panera's diverse menu items. His characteristically brooding expression accompanies an inner debate between following his instincts and listening to his heart.

In the commercial, Briney dramatically voices his inner turmoil: "I don't know what to do. I'm torn between two things." His sentiments, echoing the complexities faced by his character in the series, reveal a relatable struggle of choosing between options. This light-hearted portrayal sees him momentarily stuck until a Panera employee intervenes, simplifying the choice with humor.

The playful narrative unfolds with Briney pondering aloud, "But it's hard, you know, knowing what you should do and what you want to do are very different things." The employee's straightforward suggestion, highlighting Panera's 'You Pick Two' menu deal, snaps Briney out of his contemplative state, offering a solution: customers can enjoy both a salad and a sandwich without compromise. This resolution addresses the literal choice at hand, while humorously reflecting Briney's fictional persona's life dilemmas.

The conclusion of the advertisement sees Briney wistfully comparing life to Panera's simple yet satisfying menu choice, "I wish life was like Panera." This conclusion plays cleverly on his character's narrative arc in "The Summer I Turned Pretty," wherein similar dilemmas of the heart are central to the storyline.

The series, based on Jenny Han's bestselling book trilogy, follows protagonist Belly (Lola Tung) each summer at Cousins Beach, navigating the emotional complexities between brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). This campaign accentuates Briney’s ability to translate dramatic tension into everyday scenarios with comedic flair.

Briney expressed to PEOPLE the universal nature of having to make choices, emphasizing Panera’s menu deal as a practical solution to satisfy varied tastes without the stress of decision-making.

This commercial venture showcases Briney's versatility beyond his role in the TV adaptation, inviting audiences to observe his lighter side. While maintaining a connection to his established character, the campaign simultaneously broadens his public persona by presenting him in a context that blends humor with relatable everyday decisions.

Briney's real-life commercial involvement follows in the footsteps of his on-screen brother Gavin Casalegno, who recently featured in a Dunkin' advertisement. Casalegno's portrayal as the "King of Summer," accompanied by Dunkin's latest offerings, further illustrates the interconnected promotional themes between these personal ventures and their narrative origins.

In balancing these creative endeavors, Briney successfully captures the essence of his fictional struggles by translating them into consumer experiences, thus engaging a broader audience while maintaining the storyline’s emotional depth.