Panera Bread — Restaurant in Stow

To be honest, if I had the option, I'd rate this experience a 0. I'm not one to leave reviews normally, and I'm quite understanding having worked in the food industry for years. However, this particular Panera location consistently gives me a hard time. Because of my allergies and stomach issues, my food choices are limited. I usually attempt to order a sandwich without cheese, offering to pay for the cheese on the side, but they always try to refuse. I get that they might not want to customize their sandwiches, and that's fine. But even when I ask for the cheese on the side, it becomes an ordeal. Despite eventually agreeing, they make it a hassle. I'm always willing to pay for the cheese, even though I remove the Parmesan crisps that is on it by default - that's not the main issue. I don't visit often because, in all honesty, I find Panera to be overrated, expensive, and staffed with rather impolite individuals. This recent visit was the first time they outright refused and made it such a huge issue. I wasn't making progress with the cashier, who also had a rude tone, and she even mentioned, "I asked my manager, and she said no," continuing with her disrespectful attitude. I requested to speak to the manager, hoping to explain my request. The manager was somewhat understanding, suggesting they could include the cheese if I paid extra. I emphasized that paying for the cheese wasn't a problem. However, she went silent, and I eventually decided to abandon the order and drive away. I had promised myself not to return, but hunger and convenience led me to give it another shot since I was in the vicinity and had a busy schedule. I recommend trying a different one, but can’t promise you’ll get much...

I ordered 2 "pick 2"s (a chicken bacon rancher and a bowl of BACON mac) and a small BACON mac. The orders took 30-35 minutes to come out when it normally takes no more than 15-20 minutes. When it came out, all 3 of the mac and cheases were missing the bacon. When I brought this to their attention, I was told that they could not add the bacon (I checked with the cashier it was like a $0.52 equaling in total $1.56 difference). I offered to pay the difference at least 3 times. They told me they had to refund the order and ring it back up. The manager argued with me about just adding the bacon to the dish. We were told that after refunding me, they would remake the order. I offered the idea of again paying the difference and just adding bacon to the 3 macs. The manager who was supposed to help me would not be found for about 6 minutes. The manager, after finally appearing to help me with my order, looked up the order and said, "I don't have time to refund this." She finally relented and just added the bacon to the order. This took at least 40 minutes, and I only have 1 hour to go from work to the restaurant eat and get back. In the end, I had less than 10 minutes to eat. This could have ben solved very easily by adding bacon to the order like I originally ordered with. I understand that it could mess up the portions (their excuse not mine), but it was their mistake, and it was only $1.56 difference I OFFERED TO PAY. I will think twice before returning to this location if I ever do. This has left a bad taste in my mouth. I ask anyone thinking about ordering here to check their receipt and keep it in case they make a mistake. My biggest mistake here was not trusting the cashier and managers to...

I got the baja chicken bowl today through the drive thru on my lunch break. When I got back to work with it, I noticed several pieces of what looked like raw chicken. I confirmed this with coworkers who also thought the same and I immediately stopped eating. I called to ask what could be done and the manager told me they don’t sell raw chicken, that their chicken comes to them pre-cooked. But someone obviously had to cook it, whether it was them or someone at a factory so I was a little offended by the comment like the manager thought I was lying. I asked her if I could come back and show her the chicken so she could see for herself and she ultimately did agree to let me take it back for a refund but I felt embarrassed and just decided to wash the $12.30 meal. Plus, I had wasted most of my lunch break at that point. The manager’s statement also confirmed to me that Panera lies about selling freshly prepared foods. Taken right from their website: “ We believe in serving delicious, freshly prepared, Clean food made with carefully selected ingredients that we are proud to serve our own families.”…. I don’t think that pre cooked chicken sent from somewhere else and then frozen and reheated counts as “freshly prepared”. But they over charge for what they claim...