Panera Bread — Restaurant in Ridgeland

My friend and I went here for lunch at about 12:45 PM. There were people at one of the two registers and two parties in line ahead of us. A young woman was standing behind the pastry counter putting items in a bag as if preparing an order (maybe take out or delivery). The line continued to grow behind us, yet she made no move to take orders at the other register. The person at the first register was nice and efficient, which kept the line moving at a reasonable pace. New customers arrived and the line grew but the woman in the pastry area made no effort to take orders. She was organizing the pastry selection and watching the line grow. There were only a few loaves of bread and a very small selection of pastries left, even though it was not yet 1:00 and the middle of lunchtime. No additional items were added, she just moved around what was available and ignored the line. When my friend and I had our turn, I noticed a man cut through the existing line and walking up to the second register. The woman in pastries met him at the register and took his order promptly. She had made no effort to take orders from the people in the line. After she took the man’s order, she walked in the back and was not seen again. This prompted me to ask if the other register was just for pastries. I was told no, not really. I asked why the person did not take any orders from the people who were waiting in line. I was told that she was at the end of her shift and she was preparing the area for the next person. I have service experience so I can speak from experience and say that this is NOT the customer service expected from Panera or any restaurant that charges $15-$20 for a modest lunch! I am appalled that the woman made no effort to assist the customers in the line because she was, “at the end of her shift”! At the same time, she did wait on the man who pushed through and cut in line! What ever happened to the phrase, “May I help the next person in line?” The fact that the man was of similar ethnicity to the inhospitable employee (and those of us in line were not) gave the entire situation an even more negative impact. There is no glaring evidence of preferential treatment, but it certainly didn’t add anything positive to the...

I'll start by saying we have enjoyed going to Panera Bread in the past. However, this visit was disappointing. We waited a long time for our food to be served, especially when there were so few people in the restaurant. After telling us they didn't have white bread for a kid's sandwich and choosing a croissant to substitute, the sandwich came out on white bread. Not a big deal, but our child was looking forward to the croissant at that point. My wife ordered the Margherita Flatbread and half Caesar salad. Instead of basil on the Flatbread, they added cilantro! The Caesar came made with brown lettuce and no croutons. We sent it back to be remade, and after about 15 minutes, I got up to go check on it myself. It was sitting on the counter waiting but still no croutons—they were out. The server came back in another 10+ minutes to see if the kitchen staff had brought the salad yet. My Fuji Apple Salad was served without any apples on it at all and a whole lot of dressing! By the way, all this was after choosing to the option at checkout to leave a tip for their staff. Such a poor experience at one of our previously favorite spots to eat. Now I know why there were so few...

I am a native of MS and travel back often. In a quest to eat healthly, I stop by this Panera Bread quit often. I was there this morning with my mom and great Aunt. My Aunt asked for a fruit salad and was told they didn’t have them but we’re cutting fruit on a tray right in front of us and we saw another customer with a cup of fruit minutes later. I do t think the cashier was knowledgeable of the menu. I also received what should have been a warm bowl but it was cold with a piece of hair in it. When I took it back she just fixed another one with no apology. I asked for an extra pump of chai in my latte and it was not honored and when I asked to add a pump the guy brought it back to me running over the sides. There were flies flying around, seats and tables weren’t cleaned and the floor in front of the drinks were wet without a proper safety sign. The morale was not shown in this business at all. I live in Florida and frequent a location daily for lunch and although the place has the same name and food options, the two couldn’t be more different. The was no pride taken in what they did or the food they served. I’ve never left a negative view but this was...