Am writing this as a review of the Panera brand, at least how it is presented in this area. I am a very frequent patron of this store. In the past few weeks and months, I have become ever more concerned about the decisions being...made. There are numerous examples of large chains and small local establishments that had a great idea put it together, built on it and then from either greed or choosing to sell it enough changes and 'improvements' were made to see the individual store or the entire company go under. Panera has started down this road. It is my hope more than one manager at a store to regional level takes note of at least my opinion. I am going to concentrate on one recent change that is indicative of what is happening. A few weeks back I noticed a cadre of men searching? inspecting? the store we were in. I asked if they from the city? state? or Panera? The one I asked answered Panera. (Am using this phrasing so if they read this they will know it actually happened.) The 'conversation' lasted possibly 2 minutes, they were all in a great hurry to get out. One of the topics was the recent, only a few days previously, they had changed both the presentation and content of their bakery items, not referring to their bread. I was asked if I had tried any of their 'new' items? I hadn't and said I probably wouldn't be because their products had been 'good', but not great and they appeared to have taken a step so many other restaurants had done by reducing the size of their products and at the same time raising the prices. A quick look by both of us as we were standing only 3-4 feet away, was "You have reduced the size down to 25% or at the most 33% of what they used to be and raised the price by 50 cents, (and a quick internal estimation) by what 25%?" "You're charging more for much less." I then received what I did and still call the 'corporate standard' response. "We are really excited by these changes and expect the customers will be also. We actually improved the taste of them." OK, this is his opinion Of note here is after he left there were 2 people sitting just around the corner who much have been listening because after he walked out they stopped me and both said, "These new ones aren't as good and we aren't going to buy them anymore." Last comment. A friend of mine regularly visits an elderly woman in a nursing home. She sometimes stops and buys a specific role for her as it is her favorite. Yesterday, when i said I was going to write this review she shared that her 90+-year-old friend had told her to NOT buy her that roll from Panera any more. "The last one you brought me wasn't very good. It was smaller, with fewer nuts and tasted bad." You can ignore me if you wish, But we were offered a sample of one of these new and 'improved' roles. We won't buy any either. Taste is individual, but VALUE for my dollar isn't. I fully expect the cost of my coffee will also go up as I was also told there were changing how it is made using different machines. This will "require' a 25% to 50% increase in prices most likely. The anticipated excuse will be to pay for the new machines. We are currently looking at and for other options.More

I had to repeat the bread type for my order 4 TIMES not because it was loud but because she was paying to everyone else but me - her customer. My souffle was luke warm and the kitchen didn't pay attention they had a breakfast...order up on the screen so it was several minutes of me standing there waiting and the manager telling the girl to pay attention.More

Went to Panera for lunch. I ordered a sandwich steak and cheddar cheese panini and cup of French onion soup. My sandwich mostly tasted of horseradish because there was very little steak! Could not taste the cheese( not sure there was much on the sandwich)....The cup of French onion soup ( for 3.65, I think) was good, but again I paid an awful lot of money for a small about of soup. Panera used to be a good place to grab an inexpensive meal, not so much anymore! Not sure the upgrade in quality of food is worth the cost!More

Had late lunch yesterday and experience was not great. Counter service was extremely slow, and inexperienced. Service forgot dressing on one salad, my friend, and one drink. Asked and was told they had diet coke. Nope only pepsi. Had a spicy Thai salad and is...was ok, but way too much crunchy chips and lacked enough dressing, could be why it was less than "spicy". Not interested in returning to this PaneraMore

Had to eat on the go after the movie. Drive-thru at Panera's did the trick. Beef and cheddar panini for me and Take Two for her with a panini and tomato soup for her. It tasted great!

There is a fair variety of menu chpoices, such that a person can visit a couple of times a month and not repeat selections. Food is tasty and advertised to be wholesome.

Unexpectedly poor service. Dirty tables. Don't order hot chocolate if you want a classic hot chocolate. Very bad. Thankfully, we were just passing through and live near a very nice Panera.