Panera Bread — Restaurant in Lakeland

I received a gift card for Panera and had the worst first time experience with a restaurant I've ever had. Went through the drive-thru and when placing my order which totaled just under $15, (I ordered Four Cheese Flat Bread $8.69 and 1/2 Chicken Caesars Salad $5.99). I added 2 pecan rolls that appear to be advertised as only .99 cents. When I got to the window I added a drink that I forgotten and order totaled over $27. After paying and receiving the receipt I questioned why it was so high. Without the pecan rolls my order was under $15 so I added 2 rolls at .99 cents to utilize the entire gift card balance (or so I thought they were only .99 cents: in very small print that is almost not visible on the menu are restrictions to that price). The associate said that because I ordered a drink it caused the price of the pecan rolls to go to $2.99 each. As she further TRIED to explain, she eventually called on someone in the back to clarify how it was charged. When I asked her to remove the drink and the pecan rolls because I didn't want to pay that much, she said she'd get the manager. I was using a $15 gift card and my debit card for the remainder of my purchase. I was asked to move out of line to curbside parking and when the manager came out he said he'd credited just over $9 back to my account. Still stunned by the situation at the window I tried to discern why I was only receiving a $9 credit. After realizing that this was probably close to if not the correct amount, I thanked the manager and was told that for the misunderstanding, he'd gone ahead and put the pecan rolls in the bag. I was surprised and pleased at the resolution, that is until I got home and found that the pecan rolls were old and stale. They were so hard I cut the gums in my mouth when I took the first bite. Needless to say they were both thrown out. It makes me feel that they were already waste and the manager gave them to me rather than have it counted in his waste for the shift. I WAS NOT PLEASE ALL TOGETHER WITH MY FIRST VISIT TO THIS CAFE AND...

Firstly, I have been going here frequently recently and have been a little irritated by the quality of food. The chicken specifically is never fully cooked. But this wasn’t enough to keep me from coming back because I would just go home and cook the chicken longer myself.

What has me not wanting to come back is what occurred yesterday evening. I placed an online order for this location to pick up during my break from work. It’s was just a bagel and spread. By the time I arrive it is raining. I pull through the drive thru and the employee (red-haired guy) tells me that he can’t grab my food because the floor is flooded. I didn’t believe it to be true, but if so, Panera has to do better with having them work in those conditions. Here’s the kicker… I park my car and through the rain I run inside. While waiting for my food, the drive thru guy was doing exactly what he just told me he couldn’t do. He walked to where the food was. He even briefly exited the door to the lobby. Once he noticed I was standing right by the door he went back in to cover himself in a hoodie as if I didn’t already see him.

The act of sending me inside instead of just giving me the food through the drive thru was just a very careless and...

Update 6/24/2024 - Not surprised to be making another review. I went through the drive-thru today. Ordered a tuna sandwich, I asked the girl twice if the bread as changed due to all the new menu changes and she said no twice. Great. Got my food, opened it. Saw it was a different bread. No big deal, I go inside and ask for a refund. Nice interaction with the managers. This whole thing could’ve been avoided if there was training on tje new menu. I understand the staff has nothing to do with change, however it needs to be learned. Prices are too high to be taken lightly. Over $10 for one sandwich. No drink.

Came for a quick lunch on Sunday. I usually come to this location. Waited 10mins for someone to take my order. No big deal, order a bacon Turkey bravo. But my bacon was raw & the lettuce was unwashed with dirt on it. I’m very upset considering I spent $15 on this meal. Lobby was basically empty, only 3 tables were taken. They had about 5-6 people working. It’s now Tuesday an I’m sick from eating here. I will not...