Panera Bread — Restaurant in Mequon

If I could leave less than one star I would. I worked in food and beverage for over 12 years and what they continue to do is disgraceful. Absolutely TERRIBLE. I have consistently ordered Panera for the past 7 years. Why? It was convenient for work, simple and light, and expectations were not too high considering they are always subpar but better than greasy McDonalds and Taco Bell. I'll take what I can get, especially if I am too lazy to go grocery shopping and make my own lunch.

Prior to Covid, it was okay. Again, this is not a 5 star restaurant. Pricing was reasonable. Quality suffered on sandwiches and salads. Vegetables were soggy or old (lettuce was brown and old, onions were old, tomatoes were slimy). They clearly do not rotate their produce correctly or they decide to use what's left after a few days even though they know by looking, it should not be used (a 5 yr old would know the difference between their version of fresh and old).

With that said, I always had success with soup and I enjoyed the sandwiches if I put them on a plate and removed the over dry bread and stale produce. Typically I just had the meat and cheese, and it was not worth being on the phone for an hour trying to get through to a human being. And yes - I tried to call and complain and I had a total of 20 calls, where my call was hung up on, and I had no way to leave a message. Clearly, I cannot just leave work to complain so I just let it go.

Currently - pricing is through the roof! If you are going to charge more - ensure the quality. It is not that hard. You do not need to be a professional chef to make decent tasting, and edible sandwiches and salads. Also, management should train and supervise the employees on the "first in first out method" and ensure they are not using old produce.

My coworker and I ordered lunch and found disgusting slimy tomatoes (probably 2 days old and ready to toss), and we were not provided avocado even though they charged us an extra $1.50 for it. The sandwich missing the avocado was $17!

Also - like always - there are never utensils even though the online ordering clearly asks you if you want utensils. It is just sad.

Good luck calling the restaurant to complain. Unless you go through Door Dash, you will not be heard on your complaint.

As a former manager of bars and restaurants, I hope Panera takes a serious look at their team, production, and customer service. I would highly recommend dining inside, since you can complain immediately. I have dined in and noticed my food was edible - probably because I am dining in the restaurant. I had salads remade because they put fresh lettuce on top of old browning lettuce which was unbelievable.

They are convenient but not worth any of the cost.

A cup of soup is $7.19? I am aware that Covid increased everything. I can also appreciate my knowledge on suppliers and encourage Corporate to take another look at who they are getting their business from.

It has been 7 years and I am finally leaving a review because it is beyond ridiculous that their service standards are even lower and their pricing continues to get higher.

The intension of this review is to bring awareness. Check your food! Do not order delivery. If you order carry out - check when you pick up. I cannot believe this restaurant continues to provide food with old/expired produce and stale/old/dry bread.

I hope they shape it up. The Mequon Panera location is really leaving a bad taste in the area. On a weekly basis I hear "Panera is the worst. Standards have really gone down since Covid."

Maybe more reviews will help them improve. If you order, proceed with caution and check your food. I know they can do better, and customers deserve the best experience - which includes the quality and taste of the food - not just a friendly smile when placing your order at the counter. Based off my experience over 7 years, I am now leaving a review. Please care more about your customers. Unfortunately, today you lost...

Apparently they have to know you are a local guide to treat you well. They staff was confused, angry, and apathetic. The first person to great me mumbled, and was replaced by an equally apathetic young lady. It took 15 minutes to make a soup, and the runner had to constantly come back and tell the kitchen to remake things. The Kitchen staff were extremely slow and confused, as if today was their first day. The screen of orders was filled and red. And orders weren't coming up. Then one would come up, several minutes later another. They filled orders one plate at a time regardless of number of plates to an order. The runner was frantic and angry, the cooks looking confused all the while. They had to redo several orders.

Perhaps some of this can be forgiven. But in the middle of this hot mess, an employee asked a question and the manager said, "You figure it out, you are a smart girl." Maybe he was angry, maybe she had annoyed him with questions all day, maybe he meant "Do what you need to do, I got your back". But what came out was very different.

Unprofessional service and lackluster food. Avoid if possible.

Edit: They also forgot my baguette...

These corporations need to be held accountable within our communities. They should not be allowed to opporate sub par services which is teaching young people bad habits and is having a ripple affect in the work force. Don't let this organization be a reflection on the community - Mequon has higher standards than this. How does Panera run out of bread - heads need to start rolling at the top. The attitudes of the employees was atrocious and the area was an utter mess - disgusting. Folks, these companies are getting rich on your demise and ya'll need to wake up. They are treating your kids like garbage and not teaching them any skills or holding them accountable. These companies are run by accountants not business people - all they do is shuffle numbers around to get their bonuses, all the while, you, the end user suffers because they cut costs and lowered their hiring standards. They are not investing in people anymore just stealing money. PLEASE STOP GIVING YOUR MONEY TO THESE POORLY RUN COMPANIES - IT'S THE ONLY...