Panera Bread Customer Service Issues

I have worked as an Associate Trainer at your cafe located in Airport Square in Montgomeryville, PA for nearly two years. My experience there has been extremely unpleasant due to the behavior of John Frank, a long-term General Manager. The treatment I received, including being yelled at and incidents of inappropriate behavior like isolating himself with underage employees, has led me to resign. I strongly advise against anyone, especially minors, working at this location. The high turnover rate among employees, particularly about a year ago, can be attributed to the hostile work environment Mr. Frank creates. His actions have prompted customers to intervene, only to be met with threats and disrespect. Many female employees who left vowed never to work at such a place again. The situation is troubling, and I fear it may lead to potential legal issues if not addressed promptly. I urge the company to take swift action before facing severe consequences. Various other serious complaints exist at this establishment, warranting immediate attention. An undercover evaluation of the situation is highly recommended to prevent further damage to your company's reputation.

I had an unpleasant experience at your Lafayette Ambassador Caffery store today. I used the drive-thru at 2:30 pm on Friday, May 11. The employee working there was very rude. She told me to shut up and hold on while I was placing my order because she was busy. Even though she greeted me, her attitude was unacceptable. I visit this location regularly, but after this incident, I am reconsidering. I am in a customer service job myself, and there is no excuse for such behavior. This encounter truly upset me and affected my day. I usually don't complain, but it's important to address this issue for the sake of your business and the customers.

On Monday, June 11, [redacted], I placed an order for delivery at Panera Bread in Brighton, MI on Grand River Ave. My order came to $16.37, but after leaving an $18.00 tip for the driver, I noticed I was charged $[redacted].37. Upon contacting the manager, I was disappointed by the lack of apology and explanation given. The manager stated it was entered as a tip and took my phone number promising to resolve the issue. Despite no follow-up call and the problem remaining, I am still troubled by the drastic difference in charges. My order number was [redacted]40 and my Panera number is [redacted]43. I am now seeking a full refund and compensation due to the inconvenience caused by this situation.

During my last five visits to two different Panera locations in Hudson, WI, and Vadnais Heights, MN, I have encountered repeated issues with missing items and lack of availability of the Soba broth bowl. Today, after waiting in the drive-thru for 8 minutes, I was informed that they were out of the Soba bowl. Furthermore, the alternative broth bowl I ordered lacked both broth and chicken, which I only realized upon reaching home. My order also missed a half sandwich, although I did catch this mistake before leaving. Despite contacting the manager at Vadnais Heights, who was apologetic and offered a complimentary meal on my next visit, these consistent errors and shortages are frustrating. My experiences at the Hudson location have also resulted in incorrect orders or unavailability of items, making the situation increasingly exasperating.

Large trucks such as semis or 18-wheelers should not engage in aggressive driving behaviors like brake checking. It is unsafe and intimidating. I recently encountered a driver of a truck heading east on 90 in Massachusetts who displayed concerning behavior. While driving behind him, I noticed he was driving aggressively, air braking at high speeds in the early hours. When I attempted to pass him on the right side, he tried to merge into my lane and veer towards me, using his blinker. This level of aggression from a delivery vehicle of that size is unacceptable. This driver needs to be addressed before their behavior leads to a dangerous situation on the road.

My daughter is being treated terribly by a specific manager at work. The manager constantly insults her in front of other staff members and makes her feel belittled. I tried to address the situation by speaking to the manager politely to understand why my daughter is mistreated. However, the manager responded with sarcasm and inappropriate comments. Following our conversation, my daughter was called into the office and accused of being a snobby brat. The manager threatened to report her to HR just because I inquired about the issue. It's distressing to see my daughter facing such unfair treatment without a valid reason. The situation is unsettling, and I fear it will only worsen for her. It's disheartening to witness her being subjected to such unjust behavior at her workplace.

I ordered a pastry but it was missing from my order. When my husband went to get it, he had to wait a long time at the pick-up counter before an employee acknowledged him. The employee directed him to the front to stand in line again, causing concern for me as he was gone for so long. I approached the pick-up area and asked for the manager, who was next to the girl. After explaining the situation, the pastry was finally retrieved, but the food and coffee were cold by then. This made my husband upset, which in turn upset me. We ended up leaving without finishing our meal. Despite the receipt stating that mistakes would be fixed immediately, we did not receive another treat or prompt resolution. This experience was disappointing, and we do not plan to return. Just wanted to express our dissatisfaction without expecting an email response. Thank you.

My husband ordered a Figi Apple Salad without pecans due to my allergy, clearly mentioning it to the staff and seeing it on the receipt. Unfortunately, my salad was filled with crushed pecans when he brought it to me at work, putting me at risk. Upon calling the store, I was met with a dismissive response asking if we had checked it before leaving. Although we were offered a replacement, the inconvenience of driving back was unfeasible at that moment. This isn't the first time such errors occurred, but the lack of concern and rudeness from Panera's staff disappointed me. Despite my love for their food, the customer service experience left much to be desired. I have a photo of the salad for reference. Thank you. Mandy T.

I visit the Panera on McKnight Road in Pittsburgh, PA [redacted] often, and I was quite dismayed by the appearance of a server on Friday, September 14, [redacted]. The server had his pants sagging below his buttocks, showing his underwear. Despite attempts to adjust his pants, they remained low, revealing his undergarments. This behavior is highly inappropriate, especially in a dining setting and particularly when families with young children are present. Not only is it disrespectful to patrons, but it also raises hygiene concerns regarding the food being served. I hope Panera implements guidelines for all staff members to adhere to a suitable appearance standard, which includes keeping their pants at an appropriate height to cover their underwear.

I had a negative experience with a to-go order at your store involving an employee named Michael Sanders. When I asked about my order in person and then later on the phone, his responses were rude. Despite being the only customer in line initially, others who arrived after me received their food first. Michael's explanation for the delayed macaroni and cheese was unsatisfactory and lacking in courtesy. The young man working with him was much more apologetic. I am a longtime customer of this location and have always encountered friendly staff. Although I prefer this store to the one on Harrison Avenue, this recent incident has left me disappointed. My mother, who was waiting in the car due to health issues, could not tolerate a long wait. I was not informed of the delay with my order at the time of purchase, which was frustrating. The portion of macaroni and cheese I received was also disappointingly small for the price paid. I hope for better customer service from Michael Sanders in the future and request a credit for the entire order, particularly due to the cold soup. I look forward to a resolution to this matter. Thank you.

On 10-14-[redacted] around 4:30 PM, I had an unfortunate fall at the New Port Richey, FL store entrance. I informed the store staff immediately, and a customer also witnessed my fall. The assistant manager checked on me superficially, and though I initially felt okay, I began to experience pain half an hour later. Unfortunately, they did not provide any follow-up instructions in case my condition deteriorated once I got home. Feeling mistreated during a food order after the incident, I called the store but received poor service. Despite notifying them about my fall, I observed delays in serving my order while others were attended to promptly. The manager suggested checking the cameras to verify my claim, and my son, Geoff, also listened to our conversation. Subsequent calls were met with rudeness and dismissive behavior from the store staff. The lack of proper care and concern post-accident is concerning, especially given my recent back surgery. I expect better treatment for customers in distress.

I am experiencing issues with the Allen Park Michigan location on Fairlane Drive. On Thursday night at 9 pm, I ordered French onion soup, a grilled cheese sandwich, and 2 cookies. Unfortunately, I did not receive the cookies, only half of the sandwich, and was missing the chips. When I contacted the manager, Will, he was unprofessional and did not address my concerns properly. He did not apologize, claimed he knew nothing about my order, and even laughed at my complaint. When I requested the corporate number to escalate the issue, he rudely told me to Google it. I am extremely disappointed with the service I received from him and will not be returning to Panera due to this negative experience.

I ordered delivery from the Fort Wayne Panera Bread located at [redacted] E Coliseum Blvd on Saturday, October 20th, at 7:02 p.m. The app estimated the delivery between 7:36-7:46, but by 8:10, I hadn't received any updates. When I tried calling the store multiple times, the phone rang endlessly or gave me a busy tone without anyone picking up. My order was charged to my account, but I never got it. At 8:27, the app showed my order was en route with a driver named Anthony, but it didn't arrive until 8:45, leaving the food cold. If the store had answered the phone, I would have just picked it up myself. Sincerely, Zoe L.

I used to work at Panera four months ago, and the experience still causes me stress. I felt devalued and mistreated by both the managers and associates. Despite addressing these concerns, nothing was done, and I was simply told to toughen up. The constant cycle of disrespect and criticism left a lasting impact on me. While the company focuses on clean food and customer satisfaction, it's essential to consider the well-being of employees who contribute to this success. I dedicated myself to the job, often going above and beyond, but the negative environment took a toll on me and other colleagues. It's important for Panera to recognize the impact of their actions on their employees to ensure a healthier work environment for all.

I visited Panera in Middletown, NY this afternoon. I often stop here on my trips from Cortland to NYC, just like my recent visit on Friday. I can share my Panera rewards number if needed for tracking. Today, I ordered the you pick two with soup and a grilled cheese sandwich during a busy Sunday lunch. I was disappointed as the grilled cheese was essentially two pieces of untoasted bread with melted cheese. I informed a staff member who replaced it but the second sandwich was the same. I'm curious, what is Panera's definition of a grilled cheese? Do they toast or press it in a Panini? If my loyalty with Panera is in doubt, I can share my rewards number, but would appreciate clarity on their grilled cheese preparation.

To whom it may concern, I used to enjoy visiting Panera Bread at [redacted] Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC regularly for their food and service. However, my recent experience on October 25 around 7:15 pm has changed my perception. During a meeting with friends, I encountered issues with an employee named Joshua at the counter. When I asked for my group's soup to be served in a larger bowl instead of individual cups, Joshua seemed annoyed and asked another staff member to help. I then discovered a missing bag of chips in my order which Joshua rudely placed on the counter instead of handing it to me. When I tried to pick up my salad, Joshua snatched it back, telling me to step away and stop breathing on the food. This experience fell far short of my previous positive encounters at Panera Bread. It would be beneficial for the staff to undergo training in customer service to ensure a friendly and respectful environment. I hope my feedback helps in improving future interactions with customers. Sincerely, Judith Ramirez

I have been a customer at your Arvada, Colorado, Yank Street location since it opened. On Saturday, October 24, [redacted], at 2:40 p.m., I ordered a grilled cheese that was not melted properly. When I politely asked for it to be warmed up, the employee rudely handed me a burnt sandwich with a snarky comment. I reached out to the store manager to provide feedback, but she seemed disinterested and did not offer a satisfactory solution. As someone who works in customer service and regularly brings meals to my office from your location, I was deeply disappointed by the lack of respect I received. This negative experience has made me question whether I should continue supporting your business for both personal and professional needs. I am also concerned about how other customers, especially those from the nearby retirement village, may have been treated. Being discriminated against for my age and weight, and being belittled for expecting a properly made sandwich, has left me considering taking my business elsewhere. I hope that this feedback is taken seriously to maintain the reputation of your establishment. Sincerely, Lisa A.

I have generally been satisfied with the Panera franchise in Toms River, NJ. However, during my recent visit at 5:00 PM on 11/2/18, I observed some concerning sanitation practices by the staff. The gentleman at the drive-thru window was not wearing gloves while handling my sandwich, and the young lady handling the soup also did not use gloves when placing items in my bag and handling money. When I addressed the issue, I was met with a dismissive response from the staff. I believe it is crucial for establishments to uphold sanitary standards, especially in the kitchen. I plan to report this incident to the local sanitation board as I have noticed similar lapses in hygiene on multiple occasions at this location. It is important for Panera to ensure that proper sanitation measures are followed to maintain customer satisfaction and safety.

I had a frustrating experience at Panera in Clifton Park, NY. I usually order a Tuna sandwich on Rye, but today they said they didn't have rye bread. After a wait, I ordered a smaller sandwich without a pickle, feeling disappointed with the service and portion size for the price. The staff seemed unfamiliar with the menu options, causing delays and dissatisfaction. As someone with retail management experience, I believe customer satisfaction is crucial, and Panera may benefit from revisiting their customer service approach. The changes made for cost-cutting purposes have led to a decline in quality and customer experience, prompting me to explore other lunch options in the future.

I've been a regular at the downtown Lincoln, Nebraska Panera for about three weeks. Many people come in, stay for hours without buying anything, and even sleep. However, a few days ago, I was told I couldn't nap for just 5 minutes by the manager. Yesterday, my friend napped for 3 hours without any issue. Today, after only 30 seconds with my eyes closed, I was approached again. I expressed my frustration about the inconsistent enforcement of this rule. I am a paying customer, yet it seems like only I am targeted. Can someone from Panera please clarify this confusing situation? I'm seeking an explanation for this embarrassing treatment. I trust that Panera will address this matter promptly. Thank you.