Panera Bread review: terrible experience ( 229 comments)

Ok, so My name is Megan, I'm 17, and I work at the Panera in Pinellas Park, Florida. First when I applied online I was told I "Wasn't eligable for the job". I didn't understand this so I went into the store and asked why I had gotten this message, the manager asked me if I had put any work experience down, and I had, I put that I had worked at Subway previously and that I worked at a bowling alley currently. The manager then told me it was because I had put Subway in my application and that Subway is a rival company. Whatever, so 6 MONTHS LATER I get a call from Panera offering me a job, so I decided to take it. I started working in the dining room first, and on my first day working I was told that I was most likely going to be put on the register because I have "the look". I was so confused so my co-worker explained to me that only girls who are pretty are ever put on register. And no guys are allowed to work on reg. I just brushed this off, and went on with my life. Well I've been working at Panera for 2 1/2 months now and I am ready to quit! There are 4 managers, 2 are guys, and two are girls. One of the girl managers slept her way into being a manager and she is non stop flirting with the TEENAGE boys that work at Panera. This manager constantly yells at me and has multiple times told me that I am "not working hard enough" and that she "doesn't know how I got the job". I still work at the bowling alley as well as Panera, and I put on my online application that I cant work weekends, and I also told ALL of the managers during my interview process, and I told them AGAIN when I got hired. So about 3 weeks ago they scheduled me to work Saturday and I didn't know because I dont bother looking at the weekends on the schedule seeing as I'm not supposed to work then. I get a call at 6:30am on Saturday asking where I am, and I told them I wasnt coming into work. AND I GOT WRITTEN UP FOR NOT PROVIDING A 4 HOUR NOTICE THAT I WASNT COMING INTO WORK. I gave them a 2 MONTH notice that I wasnt going to work weekends, and I'm planning on taking this to corporate.

I work at a newly opened Panera Bread in Ontario, Canada. It's only been a couple of months but I love it. I work with a great bunch of people including the managers. I'm not going to say the job and everyone is perfect. Every job has it's issues and if you expect any job to be as glorious as the job descriptions posted on ANY company's website you're delusional. I see/hear co-workers grumbling about the job and managers but you know what sometimes it's not the job or the managers that is the problem it's the employee. Not everybody is going to get along with everybody. I don't particularly "like" everyone there but I work with them just the same, bite my tongue and carry on. Let me tell you that's not easy to do. Don't worry about what they are doing or not doing just do your job. I 'm older then a lot of my co-workers and see the work ethic or lack thereof of today's generation. If you go to work and do your job as you should, keep your nose out of the drama and leave your outside issues at the door you should have no problems. Yes the hours are long, end shift times are not set in stone (which you were told might happen) and the work is fast paced and tiring, equipment breaks and things go missing making your job harder. Customers can be ###s and you may be asked to do a job you weren't hired for.I am on cash but was asked to do prep for the first time because our prep person called in. What am I going to do say "NO"? Be a team player and do it. What's wrong with knowing how to do every position? Knowing more tasks could also lead to more hours if that's what you are looking for. Hours are hours and I'll take 'em wherever I can get them. Only getting half off a meal isn't great but it's better then some places where employees don't get a discount at all such as Home Depot. I have friends that work there and they don't get a discount at all. I guess I'm lucky not to have the ### managers that some of the other cafes have and the stories I've read are shocking. So glad I work at a decent cafe. No Panera isn't perfect but I'm loving it so far and hope to be with them a long time.

I order turkey sandwich and other food and I got sick for four day.. Then I call they two 10.00 dollars gift card. I just got sick from there food . YOU THINK I WAS GOING TO EAT THERE AGAIN AND TOLD EVERYBODY I SEE ABOUT IT

I feel I was frantically terminated. Only had one written warning in the eight years I worked for the company.

Ordered a lovely salad and cappuccino, was then offered any pasty for 1 dollar. Ordered a blueberry muffin. Was on a short time table. The muffin was never received the muffin but had the salad and coffee. Was hungry for breakfast.

I ordered the strawberry salad with no chicken (I am a vegetarian and this will make me very sick). I received a salad with Chicken on it. I am very upset as I specified no chicken.

Well, a salad with chicken is upsetting agreed, when you can not have chicken and do not want chicken. However, addressing this to management is the best way and demanding a free salad and or a refund is the normal way to fix a problem at a restaurant. I dont see how this board will help you and or warn others about a chicken error at Panera.

The problem i have is that their a rule stating that kids at the age of 16 are only aloud certain amount of hours and on school nights or any night not be closing but yet Panera does that i wanna know what i can do to report this bc this is happening to someone i know

How late does Panera make these youths stay?

The manager Brenda is rude to the employees and a know it all - she constantly sets out to embarrass and yell at staff in front of customers.

I ordered a salad today for delivery and added extra avocado for an extra 1.00 which is already a lot. I received maybe one slice of an avocado. RIP OFF

store closes too early, takes out trash late at night, general manager does not take charge of the other managers, rude to the employees

I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and it was in cooked. I could take apart the whole sandwich. It wasn't even warm.

Yesterday was the third time I bought a candy cookie and brownie and when I got home they were hard as a rock. This is the third or fourth time at the same panera this has happened for as much as u pay for the bakery items I would expect them to b fresh.

I ordered a Chicken Cobb Salad, minus the Gorgonzola and added cucumbers. I open my salad when I get to work, and there is no chicken. How does someone order a chicken cobb salad, but get no chicken. I ordered rapid pick up so I picked my bag up, got my pop and left. Huge disappointment. The chicken is what makes the salad.

Westport, CT Panera Bread. Several customers as well as myself, received wrong orders. After redoing my order, it was still done incorrectly. My original order was given to someone else. They had not only done the dine in orders incorrectly, but the take out as well. The staff seemed confused and overwhelmed and nobody seemed to be in charge. This was not the first time I had encountered an issue at this location. I will be not returning.

I placed a catering order with Panera at 6410 Sw 3rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73128 24 hrs before pick up. I arrived to pick up my order at 7:40 to be told they didn't make it. That leaves me 20 minutes to find food for 12 ladies who work for my #1 referral source. This is the first and last time I ever use this location. thanks for nothing

Please stop changing up the menu and recipe. I am so disappointed that you have substituted corn chowder for Lemon chicken orzo soup for the summer menu. There is no comparison.

Also, My favorite is the greek salad. I order it every time I eat at Panera. Who puts marinated onions in a greek salad? Bring back plain onions. I shouldn't have to ask for plain onions when I order. Also the shredded asiago was so much better than grated parmesan. I am very disappointed.

Panera service and care in making their product is terrible. I got a chicken Cobb salad with avocado. The employee just threw the items into box. The avocado wasn't even sliced. I took pictures and sent to franchise and corporate. The box was covered in avocado. The managers do their best to make things right but they have to be losing money with all the re-dos and refunds. This store used to be a nice place but the employees either don't care or are extremely rude.

I used to work at Panera Bread. I was a new hire, sixteen, and only worked there for three months. The first day I worked I was injured, spraining both of my knees, because I was forced to refill the ice machine (I am a petite, 16 year old girl who has little to no muscle). I had to go to the doctor for that. I complained ONCE about doing dishes, and went home that day, because I was sick. I went home and found out I had a fever of 102 degrees. They didn't believe me, told me I was lying, and took me off of the schedule for weeks. I learned my lesson and didn't complain again, but they would constantly berate me over things that they misunderstood or mistook for complaining. I went home sick another day, and they made me go to the doctor, despite me telling them that I couldn't afford it. My mother took me to the doctor and I was diagnosed with a stomach virus. I got a sick note, but they still said I was a liar.

My manager called and told me that they knew I "tattled" on managers (I never did, I would tell my coworkers what was going ON if I was crying or upset from being yelled at. The employees were nice, the managers weren't.) My manager told me I was doing EVERYTHING wrong when she came back. She didn't offer to teach me to improve, but only said that everything I was doing was wrong. My manager literally called me and said "we knew you were going to call in sick the next day, the other managers all wanted to terminate you". I did my job well, I didn't complain, or didn't MEAN to, but they wouldn't listen, and completely manipulated people in to thinking they were the victims. They literally told me "anyone you think you can trust or are your friends are not. You can't trust them." I was the ONLY person in the ENTIRE store required to bring in a doctor's note every time I was sick.

And, quote, according to them; "we don't fire people, they fire themselves".

Everyone working Panera has a different story. I've actually had a pleasant experience working for Panera. I've received a lot of training(two weeks worth and loads of help), the only things I don't like are opening at 5 a.m. and working overtime. I get paid $11/hr and work as: cashier, barista, table runner, expo, open, and anything else that needs to get done. I'm also pretty sure I'm losing weight and gaining leg muscle from all the run arounds. Every employee has helped guide me and teach me what to do and what not to do. The personalities vary, but I have yet to encounter a grossly negative attitude. I have encountered one higher up who is a bit of a pain, but I don't see them everyday so it's manageable. Of course people get stressed since Panera is always busy, so it's kind of common sense to be aware of when to help and when to stay out of the way. I did find the E-learning only slightly useful, sitting in front of the computer so long put me to sleep. As for the other instances, each experience will be different because places change. I'm sorry to read about all your horrible experiences, that's shameful. I hope that all those ill behaviors received the consequences they deserve. Before applying for a job (such as food service) make sure you're a customer there at least once to see how it is from an observer's standpoint and if you get to the point of the interview, observe the manager's behavior. Those are usually tell-tale signs if working there is right for you.

Posted: Aug 19, 2017 by Ana Gpnzalez
My service tonight at Panera in Sparta NJ
Complaint Rating: 0 % with 0 votes
I went to Panera in Sparta NJ at 930pm and ordered a 1/2 of fuji apple salad to go. When I got home I discovered that the salad was missing the pecans and the apples. I am a customer at Panera. My name is Ana Gonzalez and my phone #[protected]. I couldn't go back to complain about the salad, was to late.

Just want my points . Check #1329 dated 9/4/17 time 3:31 pm cashier Isis order # 112. Didnt have my card, cashier tried my phone # said she didnt find anything wouldnt look up name. Been a customer for years, felt like she didnt care.

Ordered chickensoup from pick 2
Got home was smsll as a childs portion
All the money i spent was not worth this what so ever
Very upset

We are good Clint's to panera. We always go and eat there when we re in Florida. Last night was the las time! The Cesar salad and the grilled cheese was horrible! Sorry but we re heading to Florida right now. For 3 weeks and we re not gong back. And I tell my friends what happened to us. Kathleen Duff. Katurgence@live.ca

Sine when Panera changed the way to pack bagels? I ordered a dozen of bagels this moring and this is how Panera packed them. I have been going Panera for quite a while I never experienced my bagles packed like this. They either packed in a nice paper box or plastic bags. Not like this! It's yucky! I don't know if I am going back to Panera!

I order a half a tuna sandwich and a cup of tomato bisque soup. When I arrived home I noticed I had maybe a tablespoon full of tuna. (See attached pictures)

This half sandwich (I ordered a pick two), leaves a lot to be desired. It was messy and bland.

So disappointed!

If you dont have a squeaky clean background then dont try to get hired at Panera. I got hired went in two days in a row, was told I was waiting on background check and was told we will call you when we get it back. Never received a call just a letter in the mail 2 weeks later saying due to my background I was eligible for employment. Poor choice..

I love your food wish I could eat there more thank you.ms Williams

This one manager by the name of Danny is so rude and nasty at this cafe everytime I see him behind the counter i leave. He talk to his employees very rude and give customers attitude. I also seen him several times fixing ppl food with no glove on and picking off the bakery item

The veggie sandwich has little to no veggies on it. What has happened to the quality of the veggie sandwich in Panera Bread?

Hello. I just purchased lunch at the drive thru at cafe 1934 in Hayden, ID. Check # 1338240 Unfortunately,
All of the paninis were soggy and completely fell apart. I am attaching photos.
Thank you for your attention.

There have been other issues with the food but this was the last straw! We ordered Grille Cheeses for the children and the basically received cheese sandwiches! The food was taken home and grilled ridiculous for us to have to do that instead of getting exactly what we paid for...

Your store manager in niles ohio, is going to put your customers in harm's way.. I will add the picture below.. you have another employee commenting on the post laughing about it, thinking the lady is the manager she shouldn't be talking about dragging someone through the restaurant, where people eat! they come to enjoy your food not a fight!

I'm beyond disgusted, see the picture below because that is what my Niece found in her soup. Needless to say that no one would eat any of the other food I ordered. I called to complain and the manager acted put off and asked many questions that were not warranted due to finding that hairy filled unknown object.

I have ordered the turkey bacon avocado
twice and get back to work and find it has been made without the avocado! This is a pricey sandwich and this is a key ingredient.

Order number [protected] at the Los Gatos location. Purchased on 4/20/2018.

I opened up the sandwich and found they used rotten avacado. It was disgusting and should have been thrown out, not used on a sandwich. The picture I took shows how unappetizing it was.

What is up with having this on menu and haven't had forever. Also took a coupon in today for free bagel for 12 days and they said they don't honor it here in Zanesville Ohio. Piss poor Panera. You got to be kidding now you tell me how many words the complaint has to be. Over this [censored]

I waited 20MINUTES for a sandwich with no ham on it when i ordered i.t specifically with ham! This is completely unacceptable. When ordering a $5 sandwich, i expect at least a singular piece of meat on it. Absolutely ridiculous. I will not be back, this is absurd. My email is summercarbaugh@hotmail.com