Panera Bread — Restaurant in Lake Wales

I love panera. This was my very first visit to the new location in lake Wales, just my honest opinion of what I observed. It took forever to get our food,we ordered at the self kiosk.It was not busy with a lot of customers. The sandwich I usually order from other paneras seemed much smaller with far less of the ingredients that come on the sandwich ,like they skimmed on product to save money, whereas the sandwich someone else in our group selected looked like two giant footlongs overloaded with way too much, their sandwich was great! But they couldn't eat all of theirs and I left hungry and disappointed for the price we paid for two adults and two children was almost 70 dollars!.. and why did my favorite sandwich shrink? It was not the same for me. I brought a relative to give them the Panera experience inside but was quickly disappointed I brought them there it looked like another tiny box of a to go lunch place with no ambiance or intimate settings like the other locations. The manager or cook not sure made a quick appearance up front to check things out, appeared to be there typing away on his phone. Manager I guess. I am not sure we will return to this location for a sit down family gathering. I prefer the other Panera restaurants. This location is only good for those who don't want to drive as far for their Panera craving maybe to grab it and go for convenience would be perfect. But if you are wanting the Panera experience where you can sit down with family and enjoy the atmosphere you're better going to another location. This one is a bright and clean tiny grab and go lunch spot mainly for lunch and door dash rush or college students.. now if only they could just keep adding more places like this to lake Wales it would be great! Trader Joe's, Target, outback, olive garden, bring back the mall and all its glory it used to be.. roller skating, more privatized adult tech schools, people need more jobs here and more variety and...

The new Panera Bread in town is a mini-format store, offering nearly the entire menu but with half the footprint of a traditional Panera. It’s designed as a quick-service, eat-and-go location, not a place to sit and linger. The atmosphere reflects this purpose, with bright lighting that discourages long visits.

The seating inside is primarily communal tables, similar to what you’d find in a Subway restaurant. While there are a few outdoor tables, their usability may be limited since smoking is allowed in that area. This location lacks the cozy, subdued vibe that older Panera locations were known for, leaning more into a fast-casual, efficient design.

The ordering process resembles a cafeteria-style setup, with a single line moving from bakery items to payment and pick-up. This streamlines the experience for those who want their food quickly. Bathrooms here are single-serve, much like what you’d find at Starbucks, adding to the minimalist design of the space.

Overall, the new Panera has its strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, it delivers the same great menu Panera is known for, with an efficient layout ideal for grabbing food on the go. However, the lack of a homey, relaxed environment and limited appeal of the outdoor seating might be disappointing for those used to the traditional...

I really enjoy the food at Panera Bread, and the new location is beautiful. When I have the time to dine in, it's a nice atmosphere—comfortable and well-designed. The menu has solid options, and I don’t mind paying a little extra for quality.

But the biggest downside—and it's a consistent issue—is the staff. Unfortunately, the customer service is some of the worst I’ve experienced in any place I frequent. It’s not just a one-time bad day either; I’ve been here over 10 times in the past few months, and almost every time I walk out, regretting that I came in.

The employees often seem annoyed, uninterested, and like they don’t want to be there. It’s disappointing, especially in a place that charges more and presents itself as a premium fast-casual experience. I wish the service had a little more kindness, warmth, or even just basic courtesy—some Southern charm would go a long way.

I keep hoping it’ll improve, but so far, it hasn’t. I still like the food, but the lack of decent customer service makes me hesitate every time I consider coming back. PLEASE...