Christopher Briney Shines in Humorous Panera Bread Campaign, Embraces Lighthearted Role

Christopher Briney, known for his role as Conrad Fisher in "The Summer I Turned Pretty," is now taking on a new character in a humorous campaign for Panera Bread. This shift sees the 27-year-old actor, accustomed to the emotionally intense portrayal in the beach-centric series, navigate lighter challenges within the context of a Panera restaurant setting.

In the recently released commercial, Briney is depicted in a humorous predicament. He grapples comedically with a decision over which Panera menu items to order. This minute-long campaign, available on YouTube, features Briney in an amusing dialogue as he struggles to choose between his preferred menu options, embodying the same brooding demeanor fans recognize from "The Summer I Turned Pretty."

Briney expresses his dilemma in a thoughtful manner, pondering whether he should follow his instincts or listen to his heart regarding his meal choice. The actor's inner turmoil humorously mirrors the love triangle conflicts portrayed in his television role. His character in the spot is interrupted by a Panera employee, who offers a simple solution: Panera's You Pick Two deal, which allows patrons to select two half portions of entrées, eliminating the need for a difficult decision.

The ad cleverly ties Briney’s onscreen character from the Prime Video series, based on Jenny Han's bestselling books, to its promotional narrative. The show follows Belly, played by Lola Tung, who navigates her own complex relationships during summers spent at Cousins Beach, caught between two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher (portrayed by Gavin Casalegno). This Panera campaign humorously reflects Briney’s character’s struggles with choice, drawing parallels to his onscreen dilemmas.

In an exclusive statement, Briney noted the relatable nature of the campaign’s theme, highlighting how Panera's menu offers an easy solution to the common problem of choosing between favorite items. Briney’s involvement adds a charming take on the challenges of choice, with his dramatized indecision leading to an amusing, relatable conclusion.

While Briney’s commercial captures the lighthearted essence of his role, his co-star Gavin Casalegno recently featured in a campaign for Dunkin', further demonstrating the crossover appeal of their "The Summer I Turned Pretty" characters. Casalegno's spot emphasizes summer themes, complimenting Briney's portrayal at Panera with its own unique take on seasonal enjoyment.

This Panera campaign cleverly utilizes Briney's recognizable persona from his television series, elevating a simple menu choice to a moment of engaging content. The creative direction presents a vivid connection between Briney’s screen presence and his ability to bring a light-hearted spin to everyday choices. In the end, Briney’s response to the campaign encapsulates the universal struggle with decision-making, while humorously illustrating how Panera’s offerings make those decisions less burdensome.