Panera Bread — Restaurant in Bentonville

I used to love Panera Bread. I called on 1/5 to reserve the room for a meeting tonight from 6-8. I asked about booking it every 3rd Thursday and the manager told me she didn’t have a 2024 calendar yet, but we could book out the year when we came in. We arrived at 5:50, there wasn’t a sign reserving the room and there was a table of three and a table of one. I asked for the manager and told her that I had reserved the room. She replied that she didn’t know about a reservation. I explained that I had called on 1/5 to reserve the room for a meeting tonight from 6-8. And asked about booking it every 3rd Thursday and the manager told me she didn’t have a 2024 calendar yet. She said oh yeah you talked to me. Should have been my first warning. Told her we wouldn’t kick out the people in the room but asked if she’d put signs up so no one else goes in. She reluctantly agreed. We ordered food. I asked for a 1/2 sandwich with just the turkey, bacon, and avocado, and a cup of the turkey chili. Husband asked what was on the chicken cordon bleu sandwich, she said mustard chicken, ham and Gouda cheese. He said only meat and cheese, nothing else. Our buzzer buzzed and we went to get our food. There was so much lettuce on his sandwich you couldn’t see the meat. he wanted to talk to someone and the manager got real snippy with him “you didn’t say no lettuce “ he said he asked for meat and cheese only. Now that I think about it, I said that too, and she read it back as meat and cheese only. So he took the sandwich and pulled off all the lettuce, and there was no chicken.

there was lettuce tomato and mayo on my sandwich (I do not do mayo) and the chili was cold and had a horrible sour flavor like it was spoiled. I took the sandwich back and she said what’s wrong? I said there’s mayo. She shrugged. I left it on the counter and she yelled at me that I couldn’t leave it there, that’s why they have trash.

My friend ordered soup in bread bowls for her and her daughter. Her buzzer goes off, she went to get their food, no bread bowls. She asked and they said “they didn’t give them to you already?” So she came back to the table and got to build her own bread bowl. She looked at the ticket and saw she was charged for a cookie that was supposed to be free with her rewards program. The manager shrugged and said that she should have said something earlier.

I usually am pretty understanding and forgiving of people in the service industry. But you bet I’m not...

DO NOT RECOMMEND. Awful customer service. Delivery service is not verified just handed to anyone they see - and will not refund even when you do not receive your order. They RESELL your orders and still do not refund you.

We placed two orders for delivery. For the first order, the delivery employee person left it with a random person/business that is not associated with our company. I spoke with the unhelpful manager who stated “well if someone comes to a door and opens it we just give it to them”. Excellent decision considering our company is in an 9 floor building with many businesses in it.

For the second order, the delivery called because no one is as there. Now for this order I can admit the wrong date was put in for delivery. She graciously looked into it and communicated with well. However, when she got back to the restaurant she was sweet and apologetic. She said it couldn’t be refunded. Me knowing it’s paid for, I asked what will be done with it - as I would hate for it to be wasted, and the as going to ask if jt could be donated somewhere locally or given to homeless. After all it was close to $200. She tells me it was salvaged to be resold. EXCUSE ME. I cannot be refunded yet you’re reselling these items. You’re kidding me. She gets the manager on the phone, who has an attitude problem. Her attitude started from hello. I asked about it being resold and she said the girl is mistaken (calling her a liar) that it would be thrown out. She just told me it was already being resold, yet you’re telling me something different. I asked about the morning delivery, and she said well if someone opens a door we would give it to them. They did not verify a name or anything so our order was as given to a random person. We never received the order, and I’m expected to pay for it. We have been ordering $1,000s in catering through the US from Panera - and this is by far the worst experience and service ever received. I would not...

I’ve been a loyal Panera Bread customer for over five years, enjoying their food regularly while living in California. Since moving to NWA in February 2024, I’ve continued my routine of eating at Panera at least once a week. However, the Walton location in Bentonville has been a huge disappointment.

At first, I noticed the bread wasn’t the same quality as what I was used to in California, but my wife and I let it slide. Unfortunately, in the past month, the quality has gone from bad to worse. Most recently, we ordered two sandwiches at $9.59 each—only to receive one made of nothing but two tiny end pieces and another that was completely burned. This wasn’t an isolated incident. This was the third time in just two months that we’ve had serious quality issues.

Frustrated, I went to the store to show them the sandwiches, expecting a solution. Instead, the manager barely acknowledged the issue, simply processing a refund and sending me on my way. No apology, no effort to fix the problem, no attempt to make things right—just a refund, as if that erases the repeated disappointment. A good manager should know how to resolve a customer’s concerns, not just hand out money and hope they go away.

Panera isn’t cheap. For the prices they charge, customers deserve better than carelessly made food and indifferent management. After giving this location more than enough chances, my wife and I are officially done. It’s clear that quality and customer service are no longer a priority here. I truly hope someone in corporate takes notice before more loyal customers walk...