Panera Bread — Restaurant in Baltimore

I rarely leave reviews, and even more rarely leave negative ones, but I have had the worst experience after purchasing a gift card from this location and would advise that everyone avoid doing so and making the same mistake I did!

I purchased a $50 gift card at this location (and was charged for it), only to have the recipient let me know that the card was not working on the Panera app or in the cafe. I took the card back to the cafe to ask them about the issue, and they let me know that they would need the original receipt in order to help me (I only had the gift receipt showing the amount with me at the time). Luckily, I was able to find the original receipt later and brought it back with me. When I went back the second time with the original receipt though, I was told that there was nothing that they could do to help me in the store, and they provided the phone number for the corporate customer service line saying they would be the only ones that could help with this issue.

When I called this customer service line, I was told that there was nothing that they could do to help and that only the cafe location that issued the card could assist me (and also that it was weird/wrong that they told me they couldn't). The customer service representative said that basically they had taken my money and failed to put it onto the card. The representative let me know that they would "escalate" the issue on their end, but that there was no guarantee it would go through and I haven't seen any resolution yet after a couple of weeks.

I understand that this was most likely an accidental error of course, but the process has been so long and drawn out that it's extremely frustrating, and I don't understand why it is such a struggle to refund me when I brought the original receipt back to the cafe with me. And I'm sad that the recipient hasn't been able to use the card yet because they are going through a difficult time (that's why I got the card in the first place)!

TLDR: My advice: only purchase gift cards online and especially never at...

Disappointing Experience at Panera Bread

I recently visited Panera Bread for lunch with my sister, expecting a pleasant dining experience. However, I was incredibly disappointed by the disruptive behavior of a group of Uber Eats and DoorDash drivers who were gathered inside the restaurant. None of them had active orders, yet they were being loud, listening to inappropriate content at full volume, and openly flirting with the cashier in Spanish—blowing kisses and receiving free items.

All around the restaurant, paying customers were enjoying their meals—some sharing intimate moments with family and friends, while others, like my sister and I, were trying to work. While I understand that a public space does not guarantee privacy, I do expect a basic level of respect for those nearby. The noise level was so excessive that two other gentlemen, also paying customers, had to put in their headphones just to tune out the disruption.

When I approached the cashier to ask for a manager, she provided a name but then proceeded to talk about me in Spanish to the drivers. Unbeknownst to her, I understood everything being said. When I called her out on it, she chose to argue with me instead of addressing the issue.

Having started my own career at Panera Bread at 16, I’m shocked that this type of behavior is tolerated. Panera is known for providing a welcoming and comfortable dining environment, yet this experience was anything but. Paying customers should not have to endure such disruptions—especially from individuals who are not even there to purchase food.

I truly hope management takes this feedback seriously and enforces a higher standard of professionalism to ensure a respectful and enjoyable experience...

Why never they have the nutmeg for my coffee 🤦🏼‍♀️???? . Today, September 19, 2021, I returned to this place, I ordered a Croissant and coffee, the clerk does not give me the croissant in my hand, she puts it on the counter instead, the top of the bread touched the counter because the bag it was too small and did not cover it (very dangerous, because Baltimore is full of rats that walk everywhere, among other things ...). I asked her to warm my croissant up and she tells me that at the station I could do it on the Microwave. When I opened the Macrowave, it was too dirty and wet, that is, it was impossible to use it ... For my coffee there was no nutmeg (they never have it, and there was no honey either (they haven't put honey in the station for a week already ). The half & Halfwas empty and by the Way, the thermos it was not just empty it also dirty. About The white sugar, there were only 3 packages left, and that was not enoght for me , so I had to tell them that in addition to the milk, I also needed sugar. Who brought me the sugar, a package fell to the floor, and this person picked it up from the floor and put it together with the others for public consumption. This place threatens the health of its consumers, and the health department urgently needs to know this …. !!!! I dont come...