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Panera Bread Complaints Summary

48 Resolved
1473 Unresolved
Our verdict: If considering services from Panera Bread with a critical resolution rate, extra caution is advised. Examine detailed customer feedback to understand the severity and nature of unresolved issues. Be prepared for the possibility of unsatisfactory responses and have contingency plans, including seeking assistance from consumer advocacy groups if necessary.
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8:28 pm EST
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Panera Bread poor customer service

I frequent panera bread both in glastonbury, ct and bristol, ct and usually have decent food and friendly service. today, while ordering the 'pick 2", the"sales person"(shannon) started arguing with me about what I ordered. I assured her I knew what I had ordered since I was reading from the menu. she became"agitated"and after a short debate she decided to submit my order as I ordered it. she was visibly angry and grabbed my money and then threw the change down on the counter. I complained to the resident gm who said she would file a complaint. she also said she corroborated my story with another sales person since this type of backup is required when dealing with human resources. i'm not sure about panera bread's hr department, but in many companies these staff functions aren't very proactive in dealing with complaints. the person (s) who should deal with these types of poor customer service issues should be the ones that are impacted by lost revenues. btw, prior to shannon"waiting" on me, she spent an inordinate amount of time taking an order from a family with a young kid who couldn't decide what she wanted to drink. her parents were similarly indecisive and while they debated this decision, the lunch line grew longer and longer. finally the kid decides on hot chocolate... great, lets move on. incredibly, shannon prolonged the agony by asking the kid if she wanted it in a mug or cup... more indecision, more waiting! and the line gets longer and longer and the customers get angrier and angrier...

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jessaccino
Portage, US
Sep 15, 2012 5:25 pm EDT

You are quite obviously one of those customers who goes into a store and thinks you should be the only one paid any attention to. The fact that you complained about her asking the customer in front of you, who was a CHILD (horrors), a legitimate question gave you away. You also disliked the fact that the family was indecisive, as if that is Panera's fault at all. You were annoyed you had to wait, so then you decided that Shannon was going to be rude to you as well, and then you decided you were going to try to ruin HER day and file a complaint, not even caring that, had she truly been rude, in the grand scheme of things at least YOU'RE a happy person, right? So who cares if she was rude? Let her have a miserable day and move on with yours. As long as you get what you paid for, why try to put the girl's job at risk? You're selfish, like many customers, and I wouldn't be surprised to find out you've never worked retail.

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7:20 pm EST
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Panera Bread employs illegal mexicans

This company employs illegal mexicans to prepare your food.Taking away from work for us citezens. Not to mention this is A food service provided.That the customer pays alot of money. Also the employees are so dirty when they prepared the food and that is so unhealthy for customers.

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pobarjenkins
Minneapolis, US
Feb 15, 2011 4:53 am EST
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Do you have proof?

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Brian in Seattle
Seattle, US
Feb 14, 2011 8:57 pm EST
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Oops, sounds like someone didn't get the job at Panera. Frankly, I wouldn't hire a pathetic, sniveling, whiner like you. You have no proof the people employed here are not here legally and until you do, you need to stop your libel.

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Leoworkshopp
, US
Feb 14, 2011 8:43 pm EST

lol... wow... Mrs. Vega, it sounds you are Mexican by the name, and you should of never done nothing stupid to get fired. It sounds like you got Fired and you are really disappointed. Ha Ha ha... people really have nothing to really complaint about... You Mrs. Vega make me laugh. Get a new job and stop crying. GO COMPLAIN ON FACEBOOK or TWITTER ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS

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jsunchz
Mission, US
Feb 14, 2011 8:08 pm EST

sounds like you have a grudge, you probably just need to move on.

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4:19 pm EDT
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Panera Bread general manager

The woman who is the General Manager at the Panera, auto mall store in Fremont (I believe her name is Christine S.) is the most unporfessional, rude person I have ever dealt with in food service. She looks like she is high half the time and she is mean and short with her employees. She has no customer service skills, she is short tempered and innappropriate. Is Panera so hard up that they hire managers like this? What are they thinking?

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Reviewer85120
,
Feb 29, 2016 2:34 pm EST

A friend and I had finished our lunch. We were still talking when a young worker came up to us and asked if we were finished. We said yes. I asked for a box for my leftover sandwich. The manager came over, dropped a box on the table and walked away.

If he explained that the table was needed, we would have gladly complied. This happened at Panera in Millbury, MA.

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KMPiggy89
Baltimore, US
Aug 07, 2011 8:38 pm EDT
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To the poster with the original complaint: If you have consistent problems with this manager, you should contact the corporate office. The contact information should be located on your receipt. From my experience, corporate does investigate and follow through on customer complaints- whether the complaint is for a manager or store associate. If the problem persists, you should continue to send complaints. Good luck!

As to 'piffedoff': Your cashier should have read your order back to you to be sure what you wanted. Many times, customers say, "I'd like an Asaigo Bagel" when they actually want the breakfast sandwich. The customer isn't being clear, but the cashier can easily ask if you want the breakfast sandwhich or just the bagel and there wouldn't be an issue. However, you sound like you were pretty rude yourself when dealing with the manager. Sorry to disappoint you, but corporate isn't going to fire all of the employees just because of your complaint- you'll probably get a voucher for your next order. If the employees already had a number of bad reviews from customers then maybe your bitter tatics would prevail.

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Mistreated18yearold
Thornhill, CA
Jul 21, 2011 8:26 pm EDT

I worked at Panera Bread located in Canada for 3 to 4 months before I quit.
I was so excited when I got the job! I looked up everything in advance, and knew all their products and everything.
I applied for full-time hours. I listed my availability as daytime, weekdays 6am-5pm.
At first, they gave me a few shifts a week inside of my availability. I don't understand why I was given hours outside of my availability in the first place.
Then things went HORRIBLY wrong.
ALL hours given to me were OUTSIDE of my availability. Not one shift was within that time frame.
Tips are NOT ALLOWED! SEVERAL customers complained to me that they could not tip me. It was awful.
I would be scheduled to close from 5 to 10 at night. I would be kept there past 10 if a manager was not happy with my "closing" which included EVERYTHING from cleaning washrooms, to sweeping and mopping floors. To packaging things. It's funny, because I was hired for CASH. CASH! I was kept there on average at least a half hour PAST when I was scheduled to get off.
It took over my life. I could never see my friends, and never plan either as the hours were INSANE. I would be scheduled for a closing shift on a Friday night (outside of my availability might I add) until 11:30 at night (supposed to be 11) and then would be expected to be at work the next morning for 6am (4:30 awakening). I would sleep for a total of maybe 3 hours. Isn't this illegal? And why hasn't anyone stepped in to prevent this from going on within CANADA. This is nuts! One of the appointed managers came over from a different country, and did not speak English well AT ALL. I am born in Canada, and it KILLED me to work under someone like that, who came here to MY COUNTRY and then has the nerve to tell me rudely that I should "SLAVE MORE!" and "CLEAN MORE!" and "WORK HARDER!" and "WORK FASTER!" for $10.25 an hour (minimum wage). (Might I add if you are under 18, you get paid around $9. RIDICULOUS!) I don't care where he comes from, this is not that place. Someone like him should NOT be in charge of ANYTHING.
If you were scheduled for 10 hours on a single day, you would have to clock in and out (this is their way of avoiding paying you overtime). No overtime pay.
No scheduled breaks. No set schedule. I would find out my schedule the DAY BEFORE I was supposed to work. I would break WHENEVER MY MANAGER wanted me to. An hour in to my shift? You've got to be kidding me! Clearly, I, your EMPLOYEE, am not NEARLY at the top of ANY list of PRIORITIES.
My managers had NO sympathy, and would not care if I would miss my bus. Which was the last bus, by the way.
I felt nauseous at work the day before I quit, and the General Manager would not let me go home. That was the last straw. (For the record, it was not busy. That should not even play a factor, we are talking about human rights. Dignity. I felt like I was worthless.) Everytime I scheduled a day off work for other priorities, I would feel this massive guilt. I was a good employee. I always did everything I was asked. Picked toothpicks from dirty plates, swept carpet flooring. Carried heavy coffee cartons (WITH a bad back already, might I add). I scheduled a day off in advance, and they put me on the schedule the day before to work the next day, which was the day I took off. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! I was speaking for weeks of how important that day was for me. I was playing a benefit show with my band for Sick Kids hospital. Anyways, after a hard time with an appointed shift manager, I asked for a list of numbers for fellow employees that could cover for me. She gave me one number. They were shortly staffed at the time (as about 6 people quit in 2 days) but that is NOT my fault. She then proceeded in telling me when I called back after being let down by that employee, that I would get a write up if I chose not to show up at work. I could not believe what I was hearing.
I had the decency to show up the next day after I gave my notice, and they still kept me over the time period I was supposed to work. Not to mention it was Canada Day. I wasn't asked if I wanted to work Canada Day, by the way. It was just ASSUMED that I would. Dear Panera, you can not EXPECT that from your employees when you MAKE THEM PAY for FOOD when you make them SLAVE for little to no money WHATSOEVER. 50% off doesn't mean ANYTHING when you cannot order a small salad. Just "regular size". All your food is overpriced, by the way. Basically, our discount is what regular price is everywhere else.
Get this, in total, for around 3 months full time (random hours including Mon 5-10pm, Tues 11-4pm, Sat + Sun 6am for example. I worked 6 days a week. At one point I worked 9 days in a row. How is that possible?), I got a total pay cheque of less than $3 000. Poverty line?
As well, there is black mould along the roof in the women's staff bathroom. It is despicable that we are expected to use that. AND clean it! Especially when we're a Cash person. Thank you!
HORRIBLE experience. NEVER work at Panera! Ever!
The food may be decent, but it's like ordering food from a sweatshop. Don't do it.
I have never felt so worthless in my life. The general manager would walk right by me, and say goodbye to the other manager she hired. Newsflash, she hired me too. And that is no way to treat me.
That job made me so unhappy. I would be gaining weight as I would have no time to exercise. I would come home at 2:30pm when I got off from those horrible 6am Saturday and Sunday shifts and just sleep. Wake up at another random time the next day, and do it all again. Talk about making me want to commit suicide.
The manager from a different country would watch over us, and tell us what to do. Just stand there. Watching us.
Employee's would be doing inventory for the managers. That's THEIR job. Yes, I understand that if a manager asks you to do something, you don't really have a choice or you'll be fired (and told you're fired for a totally irrelevant reason- that's how they avoid stuff), but how can a manager expect their employees to do so much for them, when they keep their employees past when they want to work, give them hours that are out of when they were willing to work, etc.
If Panera treated their employees like human beings, the whole company would run smoother. Employees would not be quitting as frequently, and there would not be as much stress on everyone working within that environment.
1) There should be regular hours. Not weekly schedules. "Rando" weekly scheduled. Not "day before" scheduling.
2) Employees should be entitled to free meals as they work. This would avoid employees being unhappy, and feeling extreme guilt (which you should care about!) when buying a meal for $5, when it takes them just over a half hour to make that much money.
3) Just because labour laws say you can pay your employees $10.25 (on the condition that they're 18) doesn't mean you should. That job should be AT LEAST $14 an hour. Think about the reputation you are getting, and think of how you're putting ALL your employees under countless amounts of stress. Sorry, but $3 000 in 3 months- you would not be happy with that salary as well. Especially when you're fighting tooth and nail with yourself when your job gives you ZERO dignity. You are everyone's ###! To put it lightly.
4) If a customer wants to tip, LET THEM TIP! It's not hurting you. By allowing no tips, you are FRUSTRATING your employees who work for you for little-to-no money. I understand, you want money to go towards charity, but your dear employees need some support as well. Otherwise, they would not be working for you, my dear. Your reputation is going down the drain due to your own doings, this picking and choosing thing is ###.
Thanks, take care

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piffedoff
Hampton, US
May 09, 2011 2:42 pm EDT
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I just encountered what you just explained. In Hampton VA. Ordered a asiago breakfast sandwich with 6 everything bagels then was given 7 bagels not a breakfast sandwich. the girl at the cashier said that is what you ordered. NO! you had it rang up right the first time then she changed it because i said this is to go . spoke to a mgr and she was very short and almost rude with me. said we are making your sandwich now. I said not ... that is what i was told by the cook. She said I do apologize.. i said OH I AM SURE YOU DO ALOT OF THAT> then a employee named Cory said I head what you ordered ... really lady... seeing how you were at the other end of the place and it was pretty loud in there and then the cashier slammed my change into my hand and said OK fine... wow ...its a shame that these people even have jobs let alone in the hospitality industry... more people need to hold these shady employees to higher standards and get the service you pay for ... PANERA BREAD is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.. calling corporate office and getting them all fired ha now you have a good day cow

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weezy1966
, US
Feb 05, 2011 9:14 pm EST
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Ditto, NIKandBOYS I totally agree with you, thank you for sticking up for us. Sincerely, Lisa from West Springfield MA

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NIKandBOYS
St.Paul, US
Feb 05, 2011 4:46 pm EST

I have been to several Panera Bread locations. I have never been treated badly or experienced any negativity. As far as I know, Panera would not stand for that. I have spoke to the managers of the store as well as some of the employees
(my Niece and her friends work at two of the locations) they have never complained. A great work environment and fun/outgoing staff. So if you have had a bad experience then you should contact the manager of the store or the corporate office and the district or regional managers will look into the complaints. I believe Panera is a great company, they help out the community and have grown to be an outstanding company.

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bobfields
Bronx, US
Nov 16, 2010 6:18 am EST

better yet, get a life and stop caring about ### like this

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bobfields
Bronx, US
Nov 16, 2010 6:17 am EST

go eat somewhere else and stop giving a ###

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pobarjenkins
Minneapolis, US
Sep 27, 2010 8:01 pm EDT
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It's more helpful if you give examples.

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5:22 pm EDT
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Panera Bread horrid management

I have worked for Panera Bread for about a year, and I have had a very horrible experience. First of all, the employees are treated like crap. The managers do what they want, when they want and break any rules they set down for their employees (i.e. eating in the back of the restaurant, smoking while taking out the trash, talking on cell phones, listening to MP3 players while working, etc). I tried to call the corporate store and make an anonymous complaint, but nothing happened, so i submitted another one a month later with my name, and again, no repercussions to them, but I was forced to take a week off while corporate "investigated". Then, when i returned, I was made to scrub floor stains with a Brillo pad and toothbrush for my next 3 shifts. But I was not too upset with this because I have grown used to doing all kinds of ### jobs while working there. I used to work as a server for a nice sports bar, but I realized that I would have different responsibilities while working at Paneras (i thought it would include making food or doing dishes or something of that nature) . But when I was hired as a cashier, I had no idea I would spend most of my time scrubbing out the insides of ovens, cleaning out clogged or dirty toilets and bathrooms, scraping off gum (and other substances) stains on the floor and inside refrigerators, and even scrubbing out smelly garbage bins. If I would have known that I was going to be doing janitorial work, then I would have applied as a janitor. These intense cleanings usually all happened near the end of the month when the inspections were, and the rest of the month the store was FILTHY. Also, the sanitary conditions are HORRIBLE, food is dropped and served (they joke Paneras goes by the 10 second rule), food is also kept way past expiration dates and most things that cannot be used one day are kept and reheated and served indefinitely. But that was all accepted evil.
What finally made me leave their employment was the fact that they NEVER kept to their employee's schedules. They changed people's schedules randomly and many times forgot to tell the person whose shift they changed. They would let their favored employees show up late or leave early without any punishment, while I got written up the first time I was late (I was 15 min late because I got pulled over on my way there, and I even called them and told them I'd be a few minutes late). They rarely let people go on break and if you were lucky enough to get one, they would chew you out if you clocked back in after 31 minutes instead of the 30 min break they allow. Also, like other restaurants, the managers have to count out the cashiers at the end of each person's shift before they can leave, but it was nearly impossible to get them to do it. The managers would try to dismiss you between each other, and if you could finally manage to get someone to do it, they would always be late. I understand that this thing happens, but when it becomes an every day thing, it is hard for employees to have a life. For example, I had to work until 3, and I needed to leave on time to pick up my cousin from his soccer practice so I let my managers know when I came in that I needed to leave on time, but the managers all were "too busy" to count out my drawer when the time came, and when I told them I NEEDED to leave asap, they told me "its your cousin or your job". I can understand that things get busy (and my store was very busy), but I ended up leaving work at 5 (2 hours after I was supposed to leave). This kind of thing happened so often that I got used to planning on leaving an hour late. Also, when it was time to close and clean up at night, managers told employees to clock out when the store closed and then they had to clean up (usually for about an hour) after they had clocked out. Most of the other employees are college kids and don't understand that the managers are doing a lot of illegal things. Other employees and myself have submitted complaints to corporate and again, nothing.
All this crap was considered normal practice at Paneras, and if you refused anything the managers said, you were threatened with termination. After about a year of slave work and numerous complaints without any resolve, I quit. I have submit many more complaints and I hope that this company gets their stuff together before they get in serious trouble. I hope this will reach people that are thinking of applying there so they can realize the horrible work and terrible employee treatment that Paneras lets happen in their restaurants.

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weezy1966
, US
Feb 08, 2011 9:05 pm EST
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HI Rod! I work at a Panera in Western Mass. I just wanted to tell you that what goes on in these forums isnt the experience that Ive had working for them. Maybe it might be because our managers have been there for 3yrs or more. The employees stay as well. It IS truly hard to find employees, managers included, who really want to work and are proud of what they do nowadays, we all see it in the customer service that we get in some places. I also would like to say how awesome it is to have a customer like you who really cares. Customers as well sometimes treat us badly because we work behind a counter. (that is just my opinion) Not many thankfully! Thank you so much again for being caring customer..

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Rod1978
Boston, US
Feb 08, 2011 2:44 pm EST

Hello Arnold Freidman,
Wholeheartedly agree with you regarding the horrible treatment of employees, especially if the employee is a minority. I eat a Panera 3-4 times a week, during my visits I randomly strike up a conversation with employees while they prepare the food. The Panera I frequent is located in MA - in a community where there is a large minority presence mostly comprised of immigrants from Central and South America. This single mother of three children told me just this morning (2/08/11) how the Supervisor there has blatantly ignored her requests for vacation (which she has rightfully earned) simply because they are short-staffed.

This particular story is only one of the many she's told me. One of which you have mentioned above; Panera changes s schedules randomly, employees are expected to show-up period.

The targets of this type of abuse by corporations are all too often the immigrants who come here against all odds only to find themselves enslaved.

One thing is for sure, I will express my concerns to Panera via their website and allow for a reasonable amount of time for then to make the necessary changes. If I don't see results (which I will gauge by my conversation with this employee) then the next step is to boycott Panera and spread the word on facebook and other channels. This has to stop and we "the consumers" have the power to stop it - we must send a message to Panera by taking our business elsewhere.

Rod
LNX1@HOTMAIL.COM

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IcansmellyourBS
Vegas, US
Sep 10, 2010 10:45 pm EDT
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Oh btw Mad@ concerned...hopefully they dont hire you with your bad choice of spelling! econemy? experienceing? you know this has auto correct when you type. Actually for your info they cant get good help because people in america believe that they are entitled to their wages instead of working hard and earning it. The ECONOMY (notice the correct spelling) is in shambles because the government is selling us out buy giving corporate tax breaks and putting the burden on the working class.

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IcansmellyourBS
Vegas, US
Sep 10, 2010 10:39 pm EDT
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Nobody does what you say you did. You can easily find another job that pays the same. I dont work for panera and never have but i know that you didnt scrub anything with a toothbrush.

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Mad @ Concerned
Dayton, US
Jul 25, 2010 9:20 pm EDT

I beleive her complaint.Unforturnetly alot of corps. are experienceing BAD choice in Management positions. There turn over rate will be blamed on some lame excuse.Econemy is the biggest blame why they can't get paytrons in the establishment, or keep good help.Crops better wake up...This kind of behavior can lead to closings, lay offs, no customers, bad service...ECT... WAKE UP! Corporate America!

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Panera Bread discrimination / illegal job practices

Do not work for Panera - they care NOTHING for their employees. They care even less for their customers. Panera sells themselves to prospective employees as a "family company" - HAH!

My husband started with Chicago Bread's small (non-corp) franchise in Illinois in February 2010, hired by Vince Ancona as a General Manager - basically, he was brought in as a 'hired gun' to 'clean up' Vince's district (Libertyville/Riverwoods/Lake Bluff, etc) because the general managers at these stores are Clueless and cannot manage their people or stores (See Norm or Holly in Riverwoods). Accolades up and down about my husband and his background - since he came from the corporate restaurant industry - and he did exceptional through training and transition and everyone was excited to have him aboard, including Vince Ancona. After his training in Libertyville, he was moved to Vince's worst store in Riverwoods; when my husband moved stores, several of the associates in Libertyville requested a move to Riverwoods because they loved him and his management abilities.

At Riverwoods for 2 weeks, my husband started having problems with his knee - which is to be expected since Panera makes their GM's work six days a week, 12 hours a day and do not allow them to take breaks or even sit down (tell me how that's legal?) - anyone would have knee problems under those conditions. He worked through it for a month, but one day he just couldn't even walk, so he called in sick. For the next two days the current GM in Riverwoods keeps calling my husband and asking "Can you walk today? We need a cashier. Why can't you come in? Will you be able to walk in a few hours?" - seriously? My husband lives 20 miles from Riverwoods and he can't even drive - it's his right knee. Two, three days later - he still cannot walk and goes to the doctor. His boss - this Vince Ancona - never told him that if he's absent more than 2 days, he has to apply for a leave of absence. The doctor orders my husband to stay off his feet, and to be off of work for the next week as his knee is just getting worse, could be a torn meniscus. He notified the appropriate people, and Vince Ancona asks "how can your knee get any worse? I don't understand why you can't work" - like he's a doctor. Still did not mention the leave of absence application, the benefits coordinator in the GA home office contacts my husband to fill out the leave forms - which he did and submitted; new doctor's request is to be out an additional week. At the end of this second week, at 4:30pm on a friday, my husband gets a Voicemail that he is "not meeting requirements" and he is to turn in key.

Requirements? What requirements? He is an awesome manager and runs circles around Panera's current GMs - we were very perplexed as to why he was fired. My husband called this jerk back minutes later, and he will not pick up the phone. Many many emails & phone calls later...It's been 3 days - no one has picked up a phone to explain, and we still do not have an explanation as to why he was fired. I understand that Illinois is an 'at-will' state - but ANY employer will give you a reason - or if you're a poor worker, then you know the reason. It wasn't his work ethic. Could it be that he's being discriminated against because he had to take two weeks off because he couldn't walk? Probably... that IS illegal to fire someone on medical leave.

If Panera actually Cared about their employees and their families - they wouldn't fire people because of two-week injury - they would work with the employee. It's not like the store was short-staffed and the shifts suffered because he wasn't there... Riverwoods actually has TOO many managers and not enough associates.

Do NOT grace the doorstep of any Panera - other stores are even worse. They pay very little money and work their workers to death - making them take on 2 or more positions and yelling when they can't get it all done. The company is more concerned about 'checklists' then making the customer happy, or even moving customers faster through the lines and filling their orders: A dim or broken light bulb is more of a concern to the district managers then making customers happy. If you happen to be in Riverwoods, Libertyville or Lake Bluff - make sure you file a complaint against your visit.

Good luck cleaning up your stores Vince Ancona. Hope the name Panera goes down in flames - and you with it - considering you are part owner.

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Kesoriano
Indianapolis, US
Jul 27, 2011 1:59 am EDT

When I was called in for my interview at Panera, I was very hopeful. I'd found out that I was pregnant not long before and I was looking for a job that offered better pay, as well as benefits. My first interview was going well, so I admitted to the manager that I was pregnant. She told me outright that she didn't see any problem with that, but I very likely wouldn't get the job if she shared this information with the general manager. Therefore, she didn't. I was told during both interviews and after starting at the establishment that I would be filling a fulltime position and I would qualify for benefits. During the first week of my employment, my pregnancy became a known topic. I had confided into one of the employees who was also expecting a child and he took that information to our GM. The next day I went back to work, everyone looked at me differently and the manager who'd advised me to keep my pregnancy a secret until I'd been hired told me our GM was angry & regretted hiring me. The way it was explained to me was that our GM expected me to be terrible at my job and incapable of doing the most average tasks. This was very upsetting for me. I cried for an hour after I left work and was so disappointed. A couple of weeks later, my hours took a plunge. I think I worked full time hours for exactly three weeks and then my hours were cut in half, meaning I no longer qualified for benefits. I was told by several employees how unhappy my GM was about hiring someone who is pregnant. Of course, she never voiced this to me, but she very clearly and unprofessionally let the rest of the staff know it. I began working for Panera three months ago and every few weeks, my hours have gotten cut more and more. This week I was scheduled a single five hour shift and when I went in for it, I'd been marked off of the schedule and my shift was given to someone else without anyone even letting me know this. To top it off, I'm not even on the schedule for next week. How ridiculous is that? I have never been treated so badly as I have been during my pregnancy. This company has treated me like I'm worthless. I ask all the time for more hours, I've stated that I want to work until I'm due, and I have absolutely no restrictions from my doctor. I never complain that work is too much for me, nor have I missed work even once. I thought that this job at Panera was going to be great for me. As an expectant mother, I NEED this job to support my child. I wonder how my employers would feel if they were facing being a single parent at barely twenty years old with no substantial income. Maybe then they wouldn't be so quick to decide that I'm of no good to them.

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anticapitalistagitator
West Bend, US
Mar 05, 2011 4:57 pm EST

You have to remember that each Panera is a part of a franchise. Apparently, each franchise is run differently. As an employee at the West Bend, Wisconsin store (which is part of the Carlon Corp.-owned franchise), I have to say that I am shocked to hear that this kind of thing would happen at a store carrying the Panera name. I have worked at Panera Bread for 6 months, and in that time, I have never had a conflict with any of my managers or co-workers and I know if I did, I would have no difficulty being heard. Perhaps I just happen to work in a stellar store, but I know for a fact that my managers do not deny people their breaks, do not break child labor laws (often to the chagrin of minor employees who do not want to take the mandatory 30 min break in their 6+ hour shift), our store is clean for customers and kept very sanitary in the back-of-house. Our food safety documents are not faked or doctored, which cannot be said of many other fast-food and fast-casual restaurants. I say these things as a pretty strong anti-capitalist agitator and anarchist college kid, too. The only reason I came on to defend my employer is because I feel like the store I work at runs pretty well and does not mistreat their employees(at least, any more than minimum wage, at-will employment is exploitative in general) or dupe our customers into thinking they're paying for more than they're getting. I personally wish more stores could be run like the one I work at. I'm sorry for anybody who has had bad experiences with the Panera brand.

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Robert23
River Forest, US
Feb 18, 2011 2:12 am EST

It is a terrible place to work.

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annas2007
, US
Jun 25, 2010 3:45 pm EDT

I love Grace Kelly! And I love Panera salads! yum yum

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Panera Bread bad management / mistreating employees

Dear friends, i had 2 years working for panera bread i was hired to open the new store in pembroke pines, florida as a person in the kitchen but end up preparing paninis italian word for (Sandwich) had a woderful manager that after a year left, having after that a number of different managers that either quit or were fired. Last week a new woman manager came on board, apparently i was not a cup of tea for her. Yesterday she calls me in to ask me if i had a problem with her because i did not go out of my way to tell her good morning! Today she ask me to do to another shore knowing that i only work 4 hrs and do about 120 paninis a morning, screaming and saying i suppose to do 3 positions in 4 hrs something i was never told when i was hired. These managers travel on a power trip, and treat employees like they are slaves, i never refused to do it i only ask a what time thing that make her very angry, so i quit, i will not allow anybody to scream at me when i am 54 years old.

Panera you need to get better managers!
Panera why don t you hire african americans at this location?
Panera why employees don t wash the vegetables and fruits?

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Update by Kuiny
Jan 03, 2011 4:13 pm EST

I said they do not wash the vegetables and fruits, and the subject was addressed 3 times to 3 different people.
If a Manager wants respect has to respect the employee first. And no I do not have to do what a Manager says I do have options and choices, I am not an slave. So read the complaint again Ms Lemon.

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Nina Beana
St Louis, US
Jun 01, 2014 6:24 am EDT
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I do agree managers do treat certain employees like crap and they can be very disrespectful, they power trip a lot.When we call the office with our problems they do not solve the problem at hand.Instead they fire us for no good reason and then will let us know that they will fight our unemployment and yes a lot of people are still fighting.Managers that do act like they care about us they get rid of them quickly, they call it being friendly.They train them to pick a side they place the workers at the bottom.They do a lot of underhanded stuff and if you act like u got something to say you will be fired in a heartbeat.Its a very stressful place to work cause in a way some become a sellout to keep their jobs.Everyone is not willing including me.Half of these people do be victims.

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Seattle Junkhead
Columbus, US
Apr 06, 2011 12:54 am EDT

Sounds to me like you are probably very passive/ aggressive and a self-made victim. Being a good employee involves having a good attitude, not just getting tasks complete. The new manager was probably brought in to fix that location because of bad costs or bad customer service scores. You were probably identified as a negative influence to the changes they were trying to make. Don't take it personal, it's just business!

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donnaob
48306, US
Mar 06, 2011 8:39 pm EST

www.seemyw2.com

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ms_lemon
louville, US
Dec 29, 2010 5:41 am EST

negativity will get you no where, you are supposed to wash the fruits and vegetables before they are prepped if they are not that is another issue that needs to be adressed. you have to repsect your managers, they are higher than you like it or not. Just do not question them and do as they wish if they're asking the impossible you need to talk to them about it or talk to your general manager

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Panera Bread food poisioning

I called in a order for a turkey sandwich for pick up on 4-14-10 and ate it after leaving the store. I ate half of the sandwich. 2-3 hours later I had severe diarrhea and vomiting. I was vomiting in my car just trying to get home. Later I went to immediate care and was treated for food poisoning. I had it in the past so I know the symptoms and in those two other cases were not as severe so I didn't need to seek medical attention. I called the manager Albert when I knew I was sick from the sandwich to hopefully keep anyone else from getting sick. He filed a complaint and was unapologetic. I called 4/15/10 and spoke to manager Ralph to let him know I needed to seek medical attention he was extremely rude! I asked him if anyone else made a complaint and he said no. The way he answered the question was rude and vague. I asked him no one has ever complained of getting sick ever or just not recently? While I was speaking he kept repeating no and hung up. I cannot believe that a manager would act in such a manner. I went in to a business today and I mentioned getting sick there and the woman said she had a tuna sandwich there a couple of weeks ago and she was sick for three days. I asked if she got sick approximately 2 hours after eating it and she said yes. She just thought she had the flu. Unfortunately a lof of people just assume that and they do not report it. The Panera manager stated that it couldn’t have been from them because food poisoning takes 24 hours. That is untrue. From the internet: Symptoms of food poisoning cause by Staphylococcus aureus start more suddenly, usually within two to eight hours, and are more severe. The next time you eat something and shortly after your body is doing everything possible to get rid of it and just prior you had no other symptoms, you most likely have food poisoning. Use your voice to help prevent others from getting sick and bring it to the businesses attention. Hopefully you will get a good manager that shows compassion and concern. That has been my experience in the past but not this time. Since Panera Bread has been so rude I will do what I can to let others know about my experience.

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ms_lemon
louville, US
Dec 29, 2010 5:33 am EST

agree that the managers should have been more compassionate and helpful but you should have pursued it further or talked to the general manager..

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Panera Bread bad service, unhelpful

really bad service...as usual. I went to panera and ordered a soup...and asked if a particular thing was in the soup--the girl told me no. I asked her if the soup could be given without it--she said it was in the soup. I was pretty sure they added it later...and asked her many times and she assured me it was in the soup. Even the guy making the soup couldn't have said "you can have it without it" since I didn't want it...I got the soup and it was just gross and not what I wanted because of the added thing. I even called back and asked the girl..and she said it came in the soup--again same idiot girl. Then I called another panera to ask them if you can get it without the item and they said yes...so I called back to talk to the manager...and he said "you can get it without it" so I said your employee told me 4-5 times that you can't...she is giving the wrong information. He said she's new and had been there a week but should have asked. Anyway the service at panera is always bad or incompetent--depending on the people working there but it was just a bad experience...as the stupid girl was just rude weird and giving out the wrong information like an idiot, when she had no clue about anything and not even asking anyone else...the person giving the food out was rude too...so bad incompetent service overall...the manager was nice enough though

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Update by sharon92
Apr 13, 2010 1:07 am EDT

you sound like you work for panera...i'm college educated and can compose sentences just fine, you're the one who needs help...and people who have no knowledge of something and are giving the wrong advice to others, are idiots...including you

Update by sharon92
Apr 12, 2010 10:41 pm EDT

whoops the first paragraph should state that the particlar thing was in the soup...

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PaneraSucks
Marlborough, US
Jun 22, 2010 10:33 pm EDT

I went to a Panera Bread in an upscale neighborhood today. When I was thinking what to order in front of the cash register, there was nobody there, but then a black girl appeared holding a small notebook pretending that she is doing some kind of inventory. When I was ready to order, she stopped what she was doing and steared at me without smiling or greeting. After placing my order, she handed me the pastry that I paid for in a bad without saying anything. It appears to me that she treat customers like that with suble rudeness especailly when they come to the shop wearing T-shirts and shorts.
The black girl pretends doing an inventory in front of customer is really looking weird.

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upsidedowncake
, US
May 23, 2010 11:55 pm EDT

I am really 22, and like I said, I don't normally care about my grammar or sentence structure when posting things on the internet (especially since half of people posting comments these days don't even try to get it right), however with some complains I've read on this site, even illogical ones that could have been resolved simply, are written correctly. I do realize that this is a complaint board where you really can't be taken too seriously unless you can show you at least have a comprehensible grasp of the English language (otherwise, there is no way to tell if the person's complaint was truly the company's fault or if it was just the customer's miscomprehension of the situation/lack of communication skills to resolve the situation). Therefore, as I do not wish to look like an idiot, I will quit typing like a ten year old on this board.

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upsidedowncake
, US
May 23, 2010 11:26 pm EDT

First, I would like to say that, Irish, I do not wish to start a back-and-forth argument with you, I just feel the need to defend myself. I'm not necessarily a kid. I'm 22 years old, which may seem like a kid to you, but I couldn't say. I'm also a student who spends a good amount of time during my semesters making sure my sentence structure is perfect. However, when I do that, I'm usually being graded on my submissions. This, however, is an internet forum and, as far as I know, you are not one of my future instructors who will be counting this submission toward a final grade of any sort. Yes, my sentence structure was atrocious. I even fully capitalized words. But this is the internet, and I felt like writing casually. So I apologize for that, as it seemed to offend you. All I wanted to do was voice a complaint about the staff at Panera locations in my area. If my disobedience of the rules of grammer does not allow me to voice my complaints, then I will write properly.

That being said, you are correct about Sharon92's original post. She often contradicted herself multiple times within the same sentence. Also, Sharon92, as your entire post was about an "added thing" in the soup, would you mind stating what the ingredient was, and also which soup you were referring to? I'm rather curious, because you referred to it as "the thing" throughout your entire complaint.

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upsidedowncake
, US
May 17, 2010 11:23 am EDT

every panera in my area has forgotton the dressing on my dad's (and my dad's only) salad EVERY TIME for months. I've been to the one in my town, the next town over and the one down by where i work and (yes it is my fault for not checking before i left) i've had to face the annoyance of my father at not having the dressing, which is the only reason he gets that salad anyway. What makes me really angry is that everytime i call in the order i always say EXTRA dressing and stress that i want extra, and i always tip well even on take0ut. these kids are getting a tip for messing my order up and as much as i want to, i can't bring myself not to tip people in foodservice. Last time i checked as i was leaving and when they forgot the dressing, i talked to the girl who took my order and the guy who packed my meal about it and both acted like i was an a--h-le for asking for what i already requested during the ordering process. their food is good, but their staff is usually under par.

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Panera Bread lying to employees

After working for Panera as a Baker for over a year, I realized that the company was not what I wanted as a long lasting career. The company has the potential to be great, but the lying, cost cutting and treatment of their employees was unforgivable. The treatment of women in this company especially was appalling. And I'm a Man! After going through over 15 bakers, which many of them quit after completing their so called 6 week training period, and 4 to 5 bakery managers, who are really hired just to put out fires every night, I decided to give them a 3 1/2 week notice. They were gracious and asked if I would give them 1 more week because they had nobody to replace me. I agreed if they would at least pay me the vacation time I had accrued. They agreed, and I worked out my end of the bargain. Not only that, but trained my replacement. Make a long story short, they lied to me about a raise to keep me there and I never got my vacation I deserved. Please beware, they don't have long even in this economy.

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Panera Bread w2

I am so tired of running down my w2 from this company! Ihave called and e-mailed these people. i tried to even give them my change of address.I also talked to the post office to make sure the change of address was right. So where is my w2?Please contact me.

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Cynthia Dollar
Trinity, US
Oct 04, 2012 4:15 pm EDT
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Panera's head H&R # is [protected] inst # is 2645 his name is Bruse.
I hope he helps.

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Panera Bread not paying proper wages, discrimination

Many of us hourly employees have been not been paid proper wages for numbers of hours worked. About a month ago so many of us complained that they "checked on it" and all of a sudden some (not myself included) were given more hours on the next paycheck. My last paycheck was missing around 20 hours. Of course I made the mistake of not keeping my clock in/out sheets because for some reason I trusted this large corporation which is stupid I admit. I worked 6 days a week (8 or more hour shifts), which is not what I agreed to when I was hired being a full time student, and was paid for around 3 days/week. Other employees have been cheated out of as many as 25 hours. Of course I keep my time sheets and hope to nail them next time.

This chain is blatantly discriminatory. My manager put me in the dining room one day b/c the owner of the company, Sam Cavelli, was in the store and "likes to see a lot of girls behind the counter and in the dining room." It's not surprising that the majority of the employees are high school aged girls (I am in my twenties but look very young). Despite being 5 miles from a large city with many minorities, we have not one African-American employee. We also have only one Hispanic and one Asian employee. A neighboring Panera has only one African-American employee. This seems to be the standard for this company. Many others in the company have reported that Mr. Cavelli does not like to have minorities out in the open.

I need this job but hate working for a company that mistreats employees and discriminates against various groups. I hope they straighten up their act, or that I can find another job.

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jenn1911
Johnstown, US
Nov 21, 2011 5:45 am EST

hun please get another job this is ridic... why would you continue to work for a company where the owner has this view upon different races! didn't you know that panera was sued for this kind of behavior before? i would not support or work for a company and bust my ### for a billionaire that scams for many and has poor company standards. needless to say mr covelli settled and covered it up so he didnt look bad. and let me tell you i worked there and things like this never changed because a guy like this who has the money will get what he wants! good luck!

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Panera Bread a little bit of everything

i whent today at panera on the mall at 2:30 pm and it was my first time there and a girl with black glasses help me alote i dint know wat to oder and she gave me some tips of they u pick 2 [frontega and the mac&cheese] everything was good just like she told me but i dint like the guy who called me for the food fat and tall really rude and dosent know how to talk and i took my tray and sat down to eat and i went back to ask a passcode for the bathroom and he totally ignored me so the gir next to him said 134 i was really upset about his atitude well like a hour later i saw a mice by the coffee area i was totally grosed out about this i custumer called the girl who help me with my oder and she took it outside came back in and she whent to the bathroom when i was leaving the store i saw the dark skin guy with a dark blue long sleve shirt kicking the mouse its sad that people saw this and dint do anything about this . I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN!

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piffedoff
Hampton, US
May 09, 2011 2:55 pm EDT
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the managers at my panera bread are absolutely WORTHLESS. that is all I have to say. they have lost me as a customer FOREVER

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NIKandBOYS
St.Paul, US
Feb 05, 2011 4:37 pm EST

you should tell the management about the rudeness and mice. Panera has great managers, but if you find a manager not doing his job, please let corporate know.

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weezy1966
, US
Jun 10, 2010 6:09 pm EDT
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I agree RghtBkatU. Pounding on a mouse in front of all? Gimme a break please, this has to be a "story"

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RghtBkatU
Lowell, US
Dec 27, 2009 8:54 pm EST

Wow you need to learn to spell. Then maybe people will take you seriously.

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Panera Bread expired yougurt in kids meal

I had a bad experience at Panera bread, located in Piscataway NJ.
After we finished our lunch there, we realized that our 3 yr old son was given Expired yogurt in Kids meal.
When we spoke to the manager, he was so rude, he dint even apologize and was asking what we want him to do..

I will never go to Panera bread again in any location, I cant believe they give expired stuff and that too in kids meal

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LD1
Tulsa, US
Dec 28, 2009 12:59 pm EST

It was this Panera. So you shouldn't be turned off by all of them and you are right that they should check the expiration dates. But did you know that the "expiration dates" on most products does not mean it is expired? It's true. Get over it. What WAS the manager supposed to do? Stick his finger down your son's throat and get rid of the yougurt he ate? Or how about turn back time?

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Panera Bread working experience

I have a manager who would laugh that i don't understand English and make jokes with the other employee about me. he is in Centerton Rd., Mount Laurel, NJ.the other managers are perfect especially, general manager. Sometimes I feel like I'm perpetuating prejudice. i'm not sure but sometimes feel like he's being a racist? I start noticing that he even tries to repeat after me and perhaps thinks that i will not understand about his joke, but I do i just try to not pay attention because i need this job. still wondering who hired him. should i let it go or should i fight for my rights as a victim of prejudice?

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Bee 58
, US
Oct 29, 2014 6:02 pm EDT

Sometimes people make mistakes. If the above is true, kudos to Panera for realizing that some people had a lapse in judgement earlier in their life regarding drug use and that a mistake such as this does not define a person for the rest of his or her life. If we had the practice of hiring no one who used drugs at any point in his or her life, who knows how many people would be unemployed. We would omit a whole sector of people who have a lot to offer. We are not talking about violent offenders here. Oh, and I am not one who used drugs in my entire 56 years. You need to reconsider your point of view.

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Paulie22
, US
Feb 07, 2014 8:30 pm EST

Jeff Schneider, the General Manager, of Panera in Denville, NJ was convicted of drug possession and distribution in 2001 and also served jail time...
How could this company hire someone like this as their GM? I am outraged!

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St. Johnson
westfield, US
Jun 03, 2013 8:47 am EDT

I don't know why managers at panerabread harass and bully employees in Westfield, NJ

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Cynthia Dollar
Trinity, US
Oct 04, 2012 9:03 pm EDT
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Your welcome.

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Cynthia Dollar
Trinity, US
Oct 04, 2012 4:31 pm EDT
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Let me know if he helps you are not.

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Cynthia Dollar
Trinity, US
Oct 04, 2012 4:30 pm EDT
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As long as you can speak english, accent or not, then your manager has no right to say a word. But ask him to stop first. He might look at it as a little fun at work and did not think that you could see it badly. If he does not stop after you asked, ask him again in front of someone and/or a recording device so you have proof and if he does not stop the go to H&R. Panera's head H&R is Bruse and his # is [protected] int # is 2645

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Swimming91
Roseville, US
Sep 02, 2011 7:08 am EDT

I have several managers that constantly degrade me, especially on front of customers. One of the managers will make fun of the way that I do everything. For example when i was giving a customer advice where to buy alcohol, since we didnt sell any, after she left, my manager told me that i gave adive the wrong way and i didnt know how to read people, and then he went behind my back and told all of my coworkers and laughing about me. One of my managers also makes jokes about how I dont ever do anything at my job, and how I just stand there and talk to people. I am far from opposite of that and i stay late to do all of my closing work and I am always nice to customers. I feel like i have no recognition of anything I do and I feel like a lot of time they blame me for other peoples mistakes. I dont know what to do in my situation and i want to know more about my rights as an employee at Panera Bread.

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Torretta
, US
Mar 17, 2011 9:24 pm EDT

I was sexually harrassed at Panera Bread in Denville, NJ. The managers told me they had playboy magazines and the General Manager, Jeff Schneider, would rub his body against me. They have absolutely no respect and they are totally in favor of hiring illegal immigrants. They have passport notification posted on the bulletin board for the immigrants.

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ALLAMERICANWOMAN
snytonm, US
Mar 03, 2011 3:10 am EST

I AGREE with TONY079. I don't care if we have an "Official" Language. I am tried of being told that we have to be "careful" about we say because it might offend an "immigrant". This is AMERICA...Don't like that then they should go back to their motherland/country/third world piece of crap. From a PROUD AMERICAN [censor]...(I'm female too!)

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Reed90210
Orlando, US
Jan 22, 2011 10:57 pm EST

@Tony079 I cannot believe you just said that! The USA doesn't have an "Offical" language there, buddy. Do some research and learn some more about the country you live in. Stop being an ignorant [censor]!

But seriously, talk to human resources, if you haven't already. They do a fine job at listening and generally will speak with that manager. They may not fire the manager right away, but something will be said.

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Panera Bread bad service / bad attitude

Arrived just after 7 PM. Waited for about 40 minutes for someone to take our order.
Ordered 2 sierra turkey sandwiches (wife and mother in law)
Ordered 1 Bacon Turkey Bravo (me)
After 40 minutes they announced our number and had fixed the Bacon Turkey Bravo and told us they had no more turkey and my wife and mother in law had to order something else. After some argument they agreed to refund the two turkeys they didn't produce, but continued to argue about the one they did produce.

After further argument they produced a manager who agreed to refund for all of the sandwiches.

This was Columbus day across the street from an outlet mall. You would think that they could figure out it would be a high traffic day.

We left without eating, wasting more than an hour and a half waiting and arguing. Worse now it was after 9PM and everything in Lancaster was closed. We drove 2 hours back to DC hungry, and terribly embarrassed. My mother in law (visiting from abroad) blames me for the problem (my wife chose the restaurant). I can do nothing to live this down.

Panera (despite the 6 day lag after I filled out their "survey" and requested a call back) is ignoring the issue.

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Panera Bread discrimination

Thank you for using the Better Business Bureau's Online Complaint System.
Your complaint has been assigned case # [protected].
A confirmation will be emailed to: [protected]@hotmail.com
Please print a copy of this for your records.

Filed on: September 19 2009

Filed by:
Debra Coleman
700 Custer Ave
Evanston IL 60202

Filed against:
Panera Bread 645
1700 Sherman Ave
Evanston IL 60201

Complaint Description:
I have a very serious complaint towards your franchise located, 1700 Sherman Ave, Evanston - [protected]. My 12 year daughter and her friends went to the movies and decided to go to Panera Bread for lunch. Like most 12 year old girls they had money to get food but not soda so they asked for water. When given the cups for water, mind you only three of girls were confronted. The only Caucasian girl in the group was not harassed. My daughter, my granddaughter and their friend of Hispanic and African American nationality, were accused of stealing soda. There cups were snatched from them and they were told to leave the store. Frighten and embarrassed by the store manager, Matt Toren they left the restaurant. One of moms called the restaurant and spoke with one female manager, who apparently just came on her shift as Mr. Toren was not available. A very upset Maria Tovar asked to speak with the manager that was involved, Mr. Toren who called her back and stated that the 4 girls were harassing his staff for water. They were stealing soda and having meltdowns. Further questioning Mr. Toren who could not provided any evidence that the girls were doing any of these things, stated that they did not say or do anything that warrant the threat he made to call the police. It was store procedure and since the girls look like they were in college and not 7th grade which they are. The store apparently has problem with college and school students coming into the store behaving badly. However what does this have to do with these girls who were not doing anything but trying to get water. This manager assumed the girls were some former customers that came in did these things. He assumed since they were of color they were stealing. He in fact, lied to the other parents, that these girls were having meltdowns, stealing and harassing the staff without getting any information on them for the police. He offered no support to his claims regarding this behavior. I feel that my daughter and her friends were harassed by this Store manager because they were of color bottom line. I won't settle for my daughter and her friends being treated this way by anyone. I have a lot of connection and I plan to let everyone know about the way these young girls were treated at your establishment. These are bright and lovely girls, citizens of Evanston, Illinois whom have never been in any trouble. I am appalled by the action of this manager, Matt Toren. He can't assume that all groups of females and people of color are the same. I plan to pursue this complaint to the highest level I can go because this is highly offensive especially since his attitude was completely different with the mothers of the girls of color and the white father of the other girl. Thank you.

Your Desired Resolution:
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This case will be reviewed by a complaint specialist at the Better Business Bureau, and then forwarded to the business for their response. It is our policy to allow the business 30 working days to respond to your complaint. You will be notified when the business has responded

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Panera Bread false advertising

I have reason to believe that this local Panera Bread is false advertising its You Pick 2 deal. I have always been charged for 1 signature item here, even after requesting no signature items. After confronting the manager, the manager stated that they only charge the price of 1-signature item, regardless of whether you select one. If that is the case, they should remove the $6.45 price on their wall menu for no signature items.

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romaunts
Ashland, US
May 23, 2010 4:07 pm EDT

I'm sorry you've had that experience. That is certainly not company policy, and it hasn't been that way for either of the Panera Bread stores in which I have worked, or any that I've eaten at elsewhere. You should email corporate, and I'm sure they'll do something to help you. Panera Bread as a whole is very focused on customer service- stores are supposed to remake anything you're not pleased with, offer up some sort of reimbursement- either a free pastry, a giftcard, a free sandwich or UP2 on your next visit, or even your money back. They are not within corporate bounds, clearly, and I'm pretty sure it's illegal for them to do that. I do not know what that store's problem is, but you should definitely report them to corporate.

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Panera Bread service, accuracy, overall rating

I just got back from Panera and I am very dissatisfied. My order was SUPPOSED to be a U PICK 2, broccoli cheddar soup w/ chicken caesar salad substitute balsamic dressing; no caesar! EXTRA french baguettes
As I was ordering, I found it very rude that the cashier along with the rest of the employees seem disinterested in their customers. No hospitality, no smiles, no acknowledgement of the guests whatsoever.
Once I got my order and got into my car, I noticed my french baguettes were missing. I ran back in and said to the lady "excuse me, my bread is not in here" she handed me a bag with bread in it and I politely asked her if I could have an extra piece. She replied; "I already gave you two". Since I had another order, that second piece of bread was not for me so I did not ever get my extra piece. I was very upset.
THENNN, when I got home, I noticed my salad had caesar dressing, NOT balsamic like I had asked for. Since I was very hungry, I tried to eat the salad with the caesar dressing, but couldn't stand the fishy taste of it. I had to throw out my food and was extremely upset.

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windy0069
, US
Aug 16, 2010 11:08 pm EDT

I have to say that panera is my favorite place to eat! I love the food but the main reason I go is because of the people they are so kind hearted!, and will do anything to make my visit there a great one! Whenever I walk in to the store bri always knows what I am going to order! Its not just an order and go she actually has a conversation with me and that makes my time there alot more pleasent than she taking my order and sending me on my way! The customer service is the only reason I drive all the way to this panera because I stay in oviedo but the red bug panera has extremly rude people and I refuse to be surrounded by people with no tact or manners.

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Babiki
Largo, US
Dec 24, 2010 3:27 pm EST
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My sister and I went for coffee at Panera last night 12/23/2017 at around 8p after Xmas shopping. We normally go to the Clearwater Panera which is by far the best. This Panera was the absolute worst. First, we ordered our coffees and when we went to get out coffee we noticed it was old and the cashier said that a water main broke and that they could not make anymore coffee (not Panera's fault) but the cashier should of told us ahead of time and we could of went somewhere else...since we paid we decided to have the old coffee. Meanwhile a bum came in (note, there was hardly anyone in the place at all) paid for his coffee and got something to eat. I was behind him in line waiting for the half and half and that is how I know that he paid, he did not smell and was not bothering anyone. As soon as he sat down to enjoy the coffee and his meal the manager told one of the employees to ask him to leave. I could understand if he was bothering people but he was not. Nobody was complaining but the manager told the girl to tel him customers were complaining. I think that was wrong..it is Christmas and they sure took his money even though they did not want him to eat in. Shame on Panera. I will boycott this Panera for sure.

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mario marrer0 jr
Los Angeles, US
Oct 30, 2010 1:30 am EDT

Dear Sir:

I applied to panera bread five time to aliso viejo and on lake forest drive for a job, and they never call me for an
interview. they was hiring cashier and cook. one of the employee told me the manager was hiring people with
no experience at panera bread, because is not fare to me I am hard worker and never late to any job, I been to.
The manager work at panera bread is not good customer service, dealing with customer at aliso viejo, ca.
they need to be shot down for good for treating the employees bad, and giving no break.

thank you...

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Cynthia Dollar
Trinity, US
Oct 04, 2012 6:57 pm EDT
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The cashier sounds like she does not know her job to me. I work at a Panera and every worker at an Panera knows: Every soup and salad gets a baguette a piece, not together, and because you got both you should have gotten two in your order. So her saying sge already gave you two when you asked for an extra shows how much she knows her job. If this happened at the store I worked at we would have given you extra just for your inconvenience and you would not have to ask.

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Cynthia Dollar
Trinity, US
Oct 04, 2012 3:02 pm EDT
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The mg will not ask for an interview if you did not pass the test that was given to you when you filed out your app online.

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Cynthia Dollar
Trinity, US
Oct 04, 2012 2:55 pm EDT
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We would not do that at the stor I work at. My asst mg pays an homeless couple to warsh our windows and gives them the stuff to do that job. That mg at that Panrea Bread needs some humanity.

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kate43235
Columbus, US
Aug 02, 2011 5:04 am EDT

I used to give over $1000 to panera bread in Columbus Ohio until he staff treated me like crap! No more and my voice is loud and clear and travels!

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piffedoff
Hampton, US
May 09, 2011 2:53 pm EDT
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F em all. Pan era bread sucks ... they jacked my order up and then threw me tude... whatever pan era bread... i will take my money somewhere else... hope you have fun when you are out of business... overpriced garbage and bad service... ha...hello Manhattan bagel thanks for being so nice to me

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anticapitalistagitator
West Bend, US
Mar 05, 2011 5:04 pm EST

Man, ### that. We'd never treat anybody like that at the Panera I work at.

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Brian in Seattle
Seattle, US
Feb 14, 2011 8:58 pm EST
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Illiteracy does make it hard to find a job.

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Panera Bread - unsanitary/disgusting/unhealthy

Hi, I have worked at a panera bread for the past year and a half. I have seen many different things in my 18 years of living but nothing compares to the sheer atrocities I experience daily at panera. Let me explain. First of all do not eat the cream based soups. (Ie tomato, clam chowder, black bean, mushroom) these soups are supposed to be only used...

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Panera Bread large bug inside soup

On Feb 23, 2009 I purchased the Pick Two for lunch including a half sandwich, soup and chips. While eating my lunch and nearly half way through eating my soup I discover a centepede type bug inside. This was very disgusting. I informed the manager and he offered to fix me another cup of soup and give me cookies. I issued a complaint which I think the investigation is incomplete. This was not a flying insect (fruit fly or flying bug) this was a crawling bug very slinder and long. This is the most disgusting thing that has happened to me. It's hard for me to eat certain foods and took me days to even eat or keep liquid on my stomach. I am very disappointed in the results of no compensation in results to my emotional distress and eating habits that has occurred. This is a health issue that needs to be looked further into. Before this happened I had nothing against this restaurant because I basically ate there for breakfast and lunch several times a week. But, after this incident I don't think I can return. I know accidents happened but they act like I pulled this bug out of my pocket and put it inside of my soup. How dishonest and I also had a witness that was not notified regarding this incident. I guess I will transfer this information over to an attorney with photos.

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LD1
Tulsa, US
Dec 28, 2009 12:55 pm EST

You are right. Seriously. And not only that, she acts as if Panera planted it there on purpose or that now ALL Panera's are bad. Idiot! Haha.

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RghtBkatU
Lowell, US
Dec 27, 2009 9:08 pm EST

I agree LD1, People like this need to seriously get themselves checked out mentally. You want to make such a big deal over $7? Emotional distress? Did the bug crawl out and rape you? You're still alive no harm done. You got another soup, bug-free AND a cookie! People like you over exaggerate things and need to stop.

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LD1
Tulsa, US
Apr 04, 2009 4:04 pm EDT

WOW! Get over yourself!

You are going to get a lawyer just because you didn't get compensated the way you had wanted to over a bowl of soup?! You are an idiot.

Yes, it is disgusting to find something like that in your food. I probably couldn't go back either, but I wouldn't get a lawyer over a bug in my soup. What is he going to do? Get you your $6.49 back? Honestly, chill out. They said they were sorry. If you must, call the health department, but don't get a freakin' lawyer involved.

You sure know how to make yourself look like a money loving, idiotic, unpleasable ###.

Panera Bread Customer Reviews Overview

Panera Bread is a popular bakery-cafe chain that offers a wide range of freshly baked bread, sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. The company has received numerous positive reviews from customers who appreciate the quality of its food, the friendly service, and the cozy atmosphere of its cafes.

Many customers have praised Panera Bread for its commitment to using fresh, natural ingredients in its food. The company has also received high marks for its vegetarian and vegan options, which cater to a growing number of health-conscious consumers.

In addition to its food, Panera Bread has also been praised for its customer service. Many customers have noted the friendly and helpful staff at its cafes, who are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure a positive experience for customers.

Other positive points include the company's convenient online ordering system, its loyalty program, and its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Overall, Panera Bread is a highly regarded bakery-cafe chain that offers delicious food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, a hearty lunch, or a tasty snack, Panera Bread is a great choice.

Panera Bread In-depth Review

Overall Rating: Panera Bread is a fantastic choice for a quick and delicious meal. With its diverse menu, excellent customer service, and inviting atmosphere, it's no wonder why this restaurant is a favorite among many.

Menu Variety and Quality: Panera Bread offers a wide range of options to suit every palate. From freshly baked breads and pastries to hearty soups, salads, and sandwiches, there is something for everyone. The ingredients are always fresh and the flavors are consistently delicious.

Pricing: While Panera Bread may be slightly more expensive than some fast food chains, the quality of the food justifies the price. The portion sizes are generous, and the ingredients are of high quality.

Customer Service: The staff at Panera Bread is friendly, attentive, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. They are knowledgeable about the menu and are happy to answer any questions or accommodate special requests.

Ambiance and Atmosphere: Panera Bread has a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. The cozy seating areas and soft lighting create a comfortable environment for both individuals and groups.

Cleanliness and Hygiene: Panera Bread maintains a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene. The dining areas, restrooms, and food preparation areas are always clean and well-maintained.

Speed of Service: Panera Bread is known for its quick and efficient service. Whether dining in or ordering to-go, you can expect your food to be prepared and served in a timely manner.

Online Ordering and Delivery: Panera Bread offers convenient online ordering and delivery options. Their website is user-friendly and allows you to customize your order to your preferences. The delivery service is reliable and ensures that your food arrives fresh and on time.

Loyalty Program: Panera Bread has a loyalty program called MyPanera, which offers exclusive rewards and discounts to its members. By signing up, you can earn points for every purchase and enjoy special perks such as free bakery items and personalized offers.

Dietary Accommodations: Panera Bread is committed to catering to various dietary needs. They offer a wide range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, making it easy for individuals with dietary restrictions to find something delicious to eat.

Sustainability Initiatives: Panera Bread is dedicated to sustainability and has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. They use eco-friendly packaging, source ingredients responsibly, and support local farmers and communities.

Accessibility and Convenience: Panera Bread strives to make its restaurants accessible and convenient for all customers. They have wheelchair-accessible entrances and seating areas, as well as convenient parking options.

Location and Parking: Panera Bread has multiple locations, making it easily accessible no matter where you are. The restaurants are typically located in convenient areas with ample parking available.

Social Media Presence: Panera Bread has a strong social media presence, regularly posting updates, promotions, and mouth-watering food photos. They engage with their followers and respond to customer inquiries and feedback in a timely manner.

Special Offers and Promotions: Panera Bread frequently offers special promotions and discounts, making it even more enticing to dine at their restaurants. Whether it's a limited-time menu item or a buy-one-get-one deal, there is always something exciting happening at Panera Bread.

Community Involvement: Panera Bread is actively involved in the community, supporting local charities and organizations. They regularly host fundraising events and donate unsold food to those in need, demonstrating their commitment to giving back.

Mobile App Experience: Panera Bread's mobile app is user-friendly and convenient. It allows you to easily place orders, customize your meal, and earn rewards through the MyPanera loyalty program. The app also provides updates on special offers and promotions.

Catering Services: Panera Bread offers catering services for events and gatherings. Whether it's a business meeting or a family celebration, their catering menu provides a variety of options to satisfy everyone's taste buds.

Gift Cards: Panera Bread offers gift cards that make for great presents for friends and family. These gift cards can be used at any Panera Bread location, allowing the recipient to enjoy a delicious meal at their convenience.

Feedback and Complaint Resolution: Panera Bread values customer feedback and strives to resolve any complaints or issues promptly. They have a dedicated customer service team that is readily available to address any concerns and ensure customer satisfaction.

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Contact Panera Bread customer service

Phone numbers

+1 (855) 372-6372 +1 (314) 984-1000 More phone numbers

Website

www.panerabread.com

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