Panera Bread
reviews and complaints

I ordered from the Panera Bread in Monroe, Ga. (30655) I love eating at ON and was excited when they opened a store near us. The last 3 times we have eaten there they Were out of everything. It's been 3 months since last visit. I had a voucher for a free pick 2 meal. Got a broccoli cheese with a greens salads. I changed the salad to stuff I liked. Changed the lettuce, added Extra grapes, xtra feta cheese, life tomatoes, xtra eggs, grizzled onions, cucumbers, olive oil on the side. Also ordered 3 different bagels.
Got home and my salad was wrong. Had no grapes, no eggs, no cucumbers, 1 small piece of tomato. Very life of feta. The bagels were hard as a rock. The cream cheese wasn't the normal mind it was ok. There was a note on the website saying the cream cheese would be different. Not creamy. So my soup was a little frozen on the inside. Called back to the store and talked to 2 different managers. Good them what happened & the manager said I made your salad (he argued with me since he said he made it) he said we don't carry grapes right now. ( if you don't have it then tell people. I never got a phone call or note saying no grapes) He said their soul wasn't cold. He did say, we made the bagels that morning and they had been sitting out all day. (We picked up food around 4:30pm. I
This store is always out of stuff. A few meals back we got avocado on our sandwich and it was black and smelled weird.

I have pictures of my skimpy salad but having trouble uploading them.

To whom it may concern -
Last night I went to the Panera Bread in Wilmington, DE. I ordered a pick two, with Mac and cheese and a ceaser salad(with no chicken). The man who took my order put it in correctly, but the food did not come out right. There were tiny chunks of chicken on the salad. They were too small to realize until I took a bite. I am a vegetarian because i get really sick when I have meat and I throw up. Because if the salad mishap, I was up all night throwing up. I am really disappointed and hope to be refunded for my meal. Thank u!

In mid December I purchase $150 of Panera gift cards to give friends and colleagues for Christmas. We love Panera food, so I figured they would also.
I was excited to also receive the $10 bonus cards for every $50. The young man who completed my purchase was very nice and gave me receipts for each card. He did not, however, tell me that the bonus cards were for a restricted time period in January. It wasn't until I was ready to buy my lunch this week that I found the cards no longer worked. I had been to Panera's 3 times already in January, but had used my free rewards on my account and another gift card.
I agree that the bonus card stated the dates Jan. 1-22, but I did not even look at the cards after my December purchase until ready to use them.
Unfortunately, I did not benefit from that large purchase of gift cards. as I expected.
My request is simple. Please make it clear by signage at registers and verbal statements by employees if there is a restricted time limit on bonus cards. It is very compelling to offer such bonus cards, but if the customer is not clearly made aware of restrictions, you have disappointed customers.

Good Evening,

I would like to start off this complaint by saying that I have eaten at Panera bread for over 10 years since we moved to Mahwah, NJ and first discovered the cafe in Ramsey, NJ. My family and I enjoy the food and atmosphere at Panera very much and my brother and I personally love the frontega chicken panini. It's the only thing we order when we go and we truly enjoy the flavors and ingredients that Panera Bread has crafted into the sandwich. Furthermore Panera Bread is one of the more popular dinner options for our family when no one can cook. Unfortunately, the service at our local Panera has slowly deteriorated over the past year and has gotten so bad that I have finally come to write this complaint. Tonight we ordered 3 chicken frontega panini sandwiches through the rapid pick up option and received sandwiches with little to no chicken in them. I have attached pictures of our sandwiches so that you yourself can see. My entire family feels as if we were robbed because we paid $9 a piece for two slices of bread, chipotle sauce, onions, and a couple shreds of chicken. Since it was close to closing time we could not bring the sandwiches back to the cafe. The most disappointing thing is that the sandwiches tonight failed to meet the expectations that we have come to expect from a Panera bread cafe. Panera bread set the bar so high yet always used to meet that standard in the past. Within the last few months we have received sandwiches which have been burnt, not well put together enough to the point that the cheese from the sandwich ends up gluing the bread to the container that the sandwich comes in, and now a chicken panini that lacks the very ingredient it promotes. I hope you agree with me in that the sandwiches in the pictures attached don't meet the standard of the food that a Panera bread cafe should serve. Feel free to contact me about this complaint at [protected]@gmail.com and please bring our local Panera bread cafe up to speed again.

February 8, 2018
9:10 am
Cafe # 4189
Check number 1330314
Cost $5.00 (eek)

I ordered a bacon, egg, & cheese breakfast sandwich (one of the promotional ones). When I pulled up to the window I asked "what kind of cheese come on that?" The clerk wasn't sure and asked what kind would I like. I told her provolone. A few moments later she came back and asked me to pull around front and they would bring my sandwich out. I sat for a bit, then received my order. I opened the bag, the sandwich had no cheese of any kind, maybe 1 piece of bacon, a folded egg on what seemed like a hamburger bun. It was dry and not warm.
I was very disappointed in the quality. My thought was I could have gone to McDonald's and gotten 3 sandwiches for the same cost.
I am not certain I would like a breakfast sandwich from here again. A satisfactory solution would be either a refund or gift certificate for a no cost lunch/dinner.
Thank you for taking this issue into consideration.
Renata Dolbier

Yesterday I went to the Panera at 9810 Baymeadows Rd in Jacksonville, FL. I ordered a cup of black bean soup with French bread and I swear that thing was one inch long. I got it to-go so I didn't notice until I got home and did not want to drive all the way back. The bread is the best part. The ratio of bread to soup was waaaay off and it ruined my whole night. For like six dollars I expect to not be given a pittance of what I paid for.

I was in the Panera in Newport RI on 2/4/18 at 2:15 pm with my daughter and in my cup of broccoli cheddar soup I found a 2x3 piece of plastic wrap! I almost choked! My daughter took it to the manager Kim, who was very nice and apologetic and gave me a turkey chili cup to go. I took the chili home to Johnston RI and went to eat it at 4:30 pm and I found another piece of plastic wrap! This one was about 10" long and a 1/4 " thick. I cant believe I got 2 piece of plastic in 2 different soups in one day! I wrote a complaint on another email on 2/6/18 and still have NOT heard from anyone. I called the manager in Newport and she cancelled the charges on my VISA but its just not enough! Do you realize the DEATH it could have caused if a child had swallowed this. I don't know how your soup is prepared for the public but I will NEVER set foot in one again, I will put it on FB and I will tell family, friends and the people I work with to NOT go there!

February 7 2018
mobile order # [protected]
cafe order 953976

After a long day at school, I made an online order to the Panera bread in Waverly place Charlotte NC. I listened while the guy verified the order and someone in the back agreed that it was correct. Upon getting home I opened my salad to see that everything I wanted taken out of my salad was still there and nothing that I added was in the salad. Once taking out the onions, tomato, and olives I was left with lettuce and feta cheese. This is not the first time I have received an incorrect order at this location but this is something I am highly upset about. I tried to call the [protected] but I was left in queue. I would appreciate a refund for the hassle and for someone to educate the staff to look at the order board. This will not be my last time at Panera but I choose not to go to that location again!

I tried the new broth bowl yesterday at the Anderson, Ohio location. Although the display looked very appealing, the bowl I was handed looked as if most of it was spilled out of it. When I questioned this, they said that the broth gets absorbed in the contents once it is added. So, okay I'll buy that. The picture on display showed a nice slice of lemon to garnish the bowl. My broth had at least 6, maybe 8 pieces of diced lemon with the rind on it. With most spoonfuls, I had to pick out the pieces of lemon and lay them aside. It was not enjoyable and overall just tasted okay. I have never had a bad experience with food at Panera before, so I thought at least I would end my meal with a 99cent cookie. When I ordered one, they informed me that it would be full price since I didn't order it with my meal. When I explained my lunch experience, I told them that really at this point I would expect it all refunded. They told me that the lemons in the broth were part of the recipe and there wasn't a problem with them. I was told that no one else had ever complained about it. They did agree to give me a cookie for 99cents, but the cookie I chose was not included in the deal. Really...if this had been my first experience with Panera I would never go back.

My husband and I were at Panera Bread on Feb 3rd, 2018. The cashier's name is Jacadi, she is a cashier at the Waldorf, Maryland store. She was nasty and condensending to my husband. we ordered and she says oh, our machine is down for gift cards, which we had. My husband says, oh I guess if I didn't bring cash, I would be out of luck, she says pretty much, then she says can you move along, is there anything else, like he was in the way. just nasty and rude. I don't like or eat Panera, I only go there because my grand children who are 4 and 6, like the soup there, and we were getting them lunch. I was busy with my grand children the weekend, so I waited until Monday to call and speak to a Manager. His name is Scott, I tell him what was said and he tells me oh no, Jacadi is sweet, she wouldn't do that, someone else must have been on her register, I said Sir please don't excuse her rudeness, I can identify her, and she does not represent Panera well, treating her customers as we were treated. I say well I will contact Corporate since you seem to have her back, he then insults me and says what are you trying to get. I said I don't want a thing from you, but I do want you to address your cashier. I will never step foot into another Panera. He did nothing but pacify her, and to insinuate that I'm trying to get something free, as I stated, I don't eat Panera, my grandchildren use to, never again. It is over rated and the customer service is at an all time low.

At the counter of the Adams Street Panera in Brooklyn NY, I ordered a package of 13 assorted bagels. I asked that they be sliced and toasted. A manager came forward and said that was too many bagels to toast. I saw a young man who had toasted that many for me before. The manager said, oh, he's catering. They refused to toast the bagels and let me exit without them.

Every time I place a dine-in order at panera (every location I have been to) I request no pickle. There is a button on the register for no pickle spear, my receipt always says no pickle spear, I can see no pickle spear on the monitor at the sandwich station yet every time, without fail, a pickle is put on my plate. The sandwich makers read that I ask for asiago focaccia instead of the standard sour dough, they read that I want my bread toasted, they read that I want chips... Why on earth can they not read that I want no pickle spear?! If the pickle juice gets on the bread, the sandwich is ruined. What if I was allergic to pickles? Would it matter then? They always give me a new plate, but usually with an attitude like I just inconvenienced them or that i'm just another moaning customer.

This is not the first time I have complained about this. Please let it be the last. I love the food at panera, just not the incompetent service. I may need to look for another place for a quick delicious meal, but I hope not.

Last date of service: 1/31/18
Check #: 542390
Order #590

Called and placed an order at the Paneara Bread located at the Westgate strip mall in OKC Ok. When we came to pick it up the counter person first proceeded to stack my breakfast sandwich box on top breakfast souffle that had already been placed unpacked in the bag! My husband had to ask if the breakfast souffle was seriously sent out on all to go orders just thrown in the sack like that, the server said "oh yeah" took it back out and placed it in the proper carry out box this was after the other box had already squashed it . After we got home we realized they gave us the completely wrong souffle than what we ordered. Due to the prices I have to talk my husband into going there again in the first place, then to discover the sub par quality of how it all tasted (as if thrown together) and the poor service. Very disappointed and I hoped I could win him over thanks to todays service no such luck if this is what customers can expect now from peneara bread u need to lower your prices. Oh did I already say how disappointed I was?

After a long week and especially a very long day. I was blessed that I didn't have to cook and so we ordered take out from Panera only to get home be disappointed. I ordered a Tuna Sandwich and got a lettuce and tomato sandwich with smear of Tuna with "not too healthy lettuce" and a whole lot of bread.
I know that we overpay for the convenience of eating out but we can't be taken advantage of.
I also Ordered an avocado BLT and I'm sure it was from a kids menu. Not worth the price we paid.

I recently ordered a Rapid Pick up at Panera Bread at 7850 Poplar Ave, Germantown, TN 38138, and the Avocado, Egg White and Spinach sandwich was horrible. The avocado is consistently rotten. When I went in to tell the girl taking my order not to put rotten avocado on my sandwich, she made a sarcastic comment to me and was rude. The manager did not apologize for her and he did not provide satisfactory service. The Panera Bread at this location consistently provides bad service, rotten food, and orders that are incorrect. This incident occurred on Sunday, January 7, 2018. Thank you.

Picked up salad this 8:53 am order # 418758 at Cafe 0705 when i opened at lunch time found spoiled avocado. This is disgusting and would make me sick if i hadn't noticed it .

This is on-going issue with this store, is it too much to ask to look at the food they're preparing before they place into a container?

The store needs to be retrained along with mangers to do better.

Big sign on the front door says NO CREAM CHEESE. Seriously, you can't run to the grocery store and buy some "Philly" cream cheese when your main product is bagels? When the Cashier asked my husband " scrambled or over easy?" my husband asked "can it be fried but cooked over hard? The cashier gave him a dirty look and repeated " scrambled or over easy" in a rude tone of voice and then shoved a pager at us. Since this was Our First Time at Panera Bread we took it and sat down. When our pager buzzed I went to the counter and was told they buzz it when the order is being placed and then again when it is finished! Who Knew? This was our Last Time at Panera Bread!

Hello,
My name is Jessica and I went to this restaurant today with my sister for lunch, something we have done a thousand times. We walk in, look at the menu, and begin to walk up to the cashier to order. Right when we walk up, he deliberately ignores us, and begins talking to the manager of this location in a tone that was not professional whatsoever. She, the manager, was speaking to him in a manner that was very rude and not appropriate, especially in front of customers (cussing and swearing and yelling).
We are extremely disappointed in the decline of this restaurant over the past few years, and would like to see a change, or at least have it back to where it used to be when we first began eating at this restaurant.
Thank you for your time.
Jessica Smith

I ordered 2 meals for rapid pickup on 1/26. The time on the receipt reads 7:27pm. The order was not checked by anyone and my order was wrong.

I did not receive the baguette I ordered, instead, I was given 3 bags of chips. I took the chips back in the store and was told that panera was out of baguettes, so I was unknowingly substituted the chips without being asked. The girl at the register offered me a bagel instead.

When I arrived home, I was missing the chicken soup I ordered for my bread bowl. I was given the bread bowl, but no soup.

I am highly disappointed with panera and will not dine with them again due to this poor experience.

Whoever heard of this? I haven't! Doesn't want to accept my order says to call them closer to pick up time then they can take my order! Very rude and obnoxious if you ask me! You must not want my business if this is your response. I can't believe it this was my first time calling them to arrange to come and get the food myself and this is their behavior!