Panera Bread — Restaurant in Raleigh

Went there for a coffee meeting and had an oddly unsatisfactory customer experience overall. When I ordered, the first annoying thing was the fact that the point of sale system asked if I wanted to leave a tip . A tip for who? The cashier? This isn't a local coffee shop so the cashier isn't my barista and she's not making my food and she's not even bringing it out to me so what service am I tipping for? "Wow you really took my order great thanks here's an extra $1!" I'm assuming the money must be shared with everyone but that still defeats the entire purpose of a tip. How can I tip for good service if you ask me to give a tip before the service is even rendered? If a tip is usually based on service, then under this new model it would seem that the service might be based on the tip , correct? It's just a bad system and very annoying to the customer. Hey Panera: "Nobody likes this." Then after I ordered I was given one of those electronic flasher things that I assumed would go off when my order was ready, so I went and found a table and sat down (since you bus your own tables there this one wasn't particularly clean, but whatever). When my order was ready the flashy thing didn't do anything and they simply put my order up on the counter in the back and yelled my name. Which I'm fine with but why had they given me that little electronic block with the flashy lights then? And then they yelled my name a second time when my latte was ready so I had to go back up there a second time. I was even less happy to see that it came in a to go cup even though I had ordered it to stay. Sorry but I happen to like my latte in a big mug if I'm going to stay in, it's just a nicer customer experience. That brings us to the next problem, the actual food and coffee. The latte just wasn't very good. A bit bitter. But that was nothing compared to the fiasco of my food. I had asked for my ham, egg, and cheese sandwich to be on a croissant - yet they still stuck it in a Panini bread press! Have you ever heard anyone say "I would like a croissant and could you take it and smash It down to only a quarter inch thick and then toast some lines into both sides of it?" Of course not because it totally defeats the entire purpose of ordering a fluffy buttery croissant! As I said earlier just a rather unsatisfactory ( and maybe even slightly confusing)...

From the experience I got this morning I will not go to this one again. I wanted a Spinach and Articoke Souffle so I ordered one thru the app. I got dressed drove to pick up my order only not to see it in rapid pick up. I turn to look at the order screen to see if they were working on my order. And looking at the app saying my order was ready. The lady working behind the counter ask me my name I told her and she said we had to move the order out to recieve other orders. Then she says my order is not ready and do I want a four cheese one instead and another lady said I can make you a sandwich instead. The confused look on my face my thoughts "like I ordered and paid for what I wanted no I don't want that I would have ordered that if that was the case". Then the second lady came from behind the counter and said do I want a pastry for my wait I said no. I just wanted what I order nothing more or nothing less. My thoughts "This was not something free I paid my money for what I ordered". She then start to tell what was going on from a employee stand point and what they had to do with orders coming in and ask if I understand. My answer was no she seemed a little irritated by my answer I was not rude with my response but the impression I got from the explaination was basiclly your telling me my order was not important and I should take whatever you offer me. She continued to try to explain but I stated I am a customer so I don't understand how my order was not ready and the app stated my order was ready and luckily I was not pressed for time. Customers keep businesses a float customer service is the most important part of it. Instead of trying to change my order to accommidate you just say we are working on your order now. As I stated I had to get dressed and drive to the location. So the order should have been ready I will not go to this...

Updated SITREP - 13 AUGUST 2022: I ordered the same thing I always do and this time there were no mistakes. Less than no mistakes as a matter of fact and it happened so fast (the making of this so called order) I was shaken but not too badly hurt because I hadn't even finished pouring soda to chug for breakfast. So there was even a marginal surplus of patience I had as opposed to already being furious for hours, and it was able to spill over to my next activity which was driving for a long time and I was able to keep my speed within 20mph over which is always a relief - cuz your dealing with two very different tickets - so yesterday they could have inconvenienced me a little and still fallen within the five star range. And thus, YESTERDAY, this Panera achieved 5 stars with me - an achievement that has only been reached by...... 98% of all the places I have ever reviewed *(the actual figure may differ)

PRIOR REVIEW:

Ordering consists of two phases: telling the cashier what you want and then re-iterating at least twice to the people who have to remake whatever you were given first because it wasnt what you ordered... and thats if someone even remebers to make your order. And i dont mean this happens sometimes or even half the time.. No for three straight years it has happened every time. But they have better bagels than dunkin donuts so i just go through breathing exercises to slowly diffuse the rage inside as i...