Panera Bread — Restaurant in Ontario

Terrible Panera Bread location - if it were not due to the Tesla chargers, I would not have gone so many times. However, after this last visit, I will not go again.

Each time I come in the evening around 8 pm, they do not have any side (apple or bread, that comes with the order) available.; therefore, I was offered a bag of chips as the side. This time they told me that my only option was a bag of chips for $0.50 or no side. I told the cashier that I never had to pay and she told me I don’t have to take the side and then no need to pay anything extra. I am already paying $25 for a small bowl of soup and a whole sandwich (which also ran out of the regular focaccia) and the issue is not the $0.50 but that they ran out of something that was supposed to be provided at no extra charge. They should offer something else at no charge. She insisted I could just skip the side. I asked her to talk to the manager and she reluctantly went after I insisted she check several times. She came back saying that chips is still $0.50 but that they can offer me a slice of bread instead as the side. So I opted for the bread. While waiting for my take out order, I went to the washroom and when I came back the screen indicated that my order was ready for pick up. I went to the pick up window and told my name and the person in the back rudely told me that she’s working on it now. I said that the only reason I followed up was due to the screen and I didn’t see any order/bag sitting at the counter. She ignored me and looked annoyed. The order disappeared from the screen and I waited another 5 minutes. When I finally received my order, I took it outside and started to eat the soup immediately and it was not full and barely warm! Hugely disappointing. I expected much better from a place where it’s $25 for a takeout sandwich and a soup that’s barely enough...

What an awful experience. Stopped to use the Tesla charging station and figured it was a great idea to stop here to eat. When the lady at the counter was asked by my husband what was really good on the menu, she replied no idea. I dont eat here. That should have been our sign to eat elsewhere. But what came next was the topping on the icecream. When our order was ready, i went to get it and the RUDE MANAGER Tina informed me they were out of the soup i wanted. I declined and did not want to replace my soup she indicated i would need a refund. I asked how that took place, as the pick up counter is separate from the ordering counter and she said take your receipt and go back. I asked if it was the receipt on my tray she snapped back no. I then asked if one of the employees could inform the front she said no take the receipt back to the counter and then instructed me that I would pay full price "I got the pick 2" Flatbread and soup. I asked why I would be charged for them selling a soup they didn't have. She said that's how it works as it was a combo. Had I known from the time I ordered, I would have chosen something other then soup. By the time I was able to sit and eat, my Flatbread was cold and not enjoyable. As we spent almost 10 minutes retifying the mistake they made. According to the lady that was walking around, she said it was busy and they were overwhelmed. The attitude, tone of speaking to peopler and lack of customer care was appalling. Definitely will be taken this stop off our next road trip. Way to go Tina. Hope your day...

Here is my experience with Panera’s Bread Kingston a few days ago:

I ordered a regular coffee at the cashier and paid for it. Went to coffee dispenser corner to fill out my cup. Dark roast was out and asked a staff at the kitchen counter for it. She said ‘ok, it will be ready in 5 or so’, so I waited for good 5 min. Nothing happened and went to the kitchen counter again to check and see if the coffee was coming soon. The same staff said ‘’oh we’ve been busy and haven't had a chance to get to it. Can you take different kind?’ I don’t like light roast but there were only light roast and hazelnut , and since I don’t like flavored coffee, I had no chose but light roast. The dispenser for the light roast stopped filling my cup about a half way. I went back to the kitchen counter and told them that light roast was also out. The same staff asked me if I could take hazelnut but I told her that I don’t like it. She rolled her eyes as if I were being unreasonable and went back inside, and came out with a dispenser with dark roast coffee in it in matter of a minute. I finally filled out my coffee cup and left the store. Dispute of all the effort to get the coffee, I couldn’t finish half of it because the coffee tasted nothing.

Will I ever go back to the store? No I won’t. Not only there was extremely low level customer service but the coffee didn’t taste anything and it is just not worth it. I understand that everywhere is short stuffed and busy, but it is not a justifiable reason to treat customer...