Panera Bread — Restaurant in Indianapolis

Oh my goodness. There are many Panera Bread locations to use - this is NOT the one. First, I pulled up to curbside at 9:10 AM for an order pick up with an 8:30-8:45 window (I always wait a little longer to arrive and plan accordingly) I tried to call the store at the curbside signs but but no one answered. I walked in and tried to find someone. The girl at the register completely ignored me, so I approached a man I now know to be the shift manager and asked where catering orders are picked up. He said "we don't DO curbside anymore!" Although weird behavior I said I understood and that's fine, that's why I came in to get it, no worries (although the signs are not removed that say curbside pick up). He seemed agitated and started looking for someone - when he came back around I asked if it was forgotten so we could quickly grab bagels or something because I had to leave soon and he told me "CHILL, he's in the BATHROOM!" I still didn't understand why he was being so weird. I explained that I had to be downtown in 30 minutes, at this point my catering order was running twenty minutes late and I needed to change the plan fast if it wasn't ready. Well he acted like it was my fault they were behind. He actually said "you should have planned ahead (ummmm obviously I did - about 22 hours ahead.)! Finally this poor guy comes running and finishing filling my order. Why didn't the manager do that? Why didn't the manager and the girl behind the counter know an order was sitting there not finished? Why didn't they start helping. I basically started going around and grabbing my bags to help this poor guy and get them to my car because now we're at 30 minutes late and I have to get downtown. As I'm helping the poor guy carry my own items (while manager and girl at the register stood there doing nothing), the girl at the register said what the F* is your problem?! I couldn't believe how incredibly rude and disrespectful- I don't use bad language or raise my voice to people; the fact they were acting this way so easily and without provocation tells me this might be normal behavior for them. Then he tells me I shouldn't "walk behind HIS LINE" and basically verbally assaults me all the way to my car. Never once did anyone apologize, offer help, behave professionally and appropriately - except the ONE guy who was left to fill this order on his own with no assistance.

In addition, mistakes and were made on this large order, which affected the meeting (everyone had to drink black coffee - and it wasted three totes because not all people will do that. I've used Panera for catering and personal meals on MANY occasions but never experienced what I did today and I highly recommend you avoid this location. I feel the manager actually enjoyed being combative and the atmosphere was weirdly hostile from the moment I walked in before I said a word. It is just unnacceptable when there are so many alternatives. Please do not jeopardize a business meeting or risk taking a client to breakfast or lunch at this location. I was horrified enough that I contacted corporate, who seemed equally shocked to hear my experience.

UPDATE: The district manager has never called me as promised to discuss what happened over a month ago. That tells you...

Panera gets worse every time I visit one. And this is the Panera I visit the most. I usually order in the app and pick it up inside because no one is ever actually working behind the counter. But then I remember that I always have to ask for something that is missing from my order anyway, so it doesn't save me any time. Today, my pick-two order was delivered to the pick-up shelf just fine, but not my coffee or cookie. So I waited and waited for someone to actually help me. Finally someone does and my coffee had been sitting on their back counter the whole time. He hands it to me and gets my cookie. I wonder if anyone actually ever gets their bakery-side order for pickup without having to bug them about it. It seems just common practice that I know i'll have to check my order and then wait, and wait, to get them to actually finish it. Then, on top of that, I tasted the coffee and it wasn't made right. So I waited some more (again, not because of a line but because no one was working the counter). And another person finally came to help me. She remade my coffee. But all-in-all, such a long process just to get the stuff I ordered and should have already been waiting on the...

This location literally gave me food poisoning, I called wondering if I could get a refund of course the answer was no. That is not my biggest concern who cares about 15 bucks when you’re literally throwing up ur guts because someone didn’t want to temp the lettuce. As someone who formally worked at panera bread and am a current manager at another food establishment this restaurant does not make food safety a number one priority!! It is very clear that this location is not following precautions to prevent this such as making sure their food is temping 4 times a day which is a requirement. Considering all the bad reviews in the past month I am amazed that the health department hasn’t gotten to them yet. The manager I spoke to who conveniently did not say his name had no clue how to handle this situation. This store really needs to do better in training their managers on how to handle situations like this other than says “uhhh ur gonna have to call in the morning.” Do better!!! Do not eat here ESPECIALLY not any of the lettuce if you care...