Panera Bread — Restaurant in Topsham

Writing this review of Panera Bakery in Topsham is a pleasure! My visit was around 7:00 am and not my first time here. There were about half a dozen customers dining in when I arrived. The ordering area was empty because customers can order their meal from one of several touchscreen stations without waiting. The touchscreens were bright and well-organized. I could customize any item easily. The process was straight forward. Panera even has a free "rewards" program that is a perk. There is a large dining area with many tables, including several by their large plate glass windows. The room is partially divided by an enclosed gas fireplace which is nice. The employees seemed focused on their duties which is a plus. One of the best things about this place was just how clean and well-organized it was! The floors/carpeted areas were spotless. The counter areas were clean. And the pricing was more than reasonable. I had a bagel and coffee. They have several cavities of bagels and coffee and tea. And there's a microwave that is setup for customer use which I really appreciate since I like my bagel heated with a microwave! They'll toast yours, if you wish, and can direct them to do that right from the kiosk when you order. All in all, this place is great!

There are two very slight criticisms: (1) There are no hand sanitizer dispensers which was unfortunate. Since customers use the touchscreens to order, having a nearby hand sanitizer machine nearby would have been very much appreciated. (2) As with nearly all eateries, this restaurant has music playing. The genre was some form of modern type but my main criticism is that it was just one decibel away from being too loud. If it weren't for those two easily correctable criticisms, this visit would have...

I arrived as the ONLY car in drivethru before 1030am with plenty of time to make it to work, after waiting at the order box for a few minutes someone asked for my order. I proceeded to the window and was not greeted by one of the three employees that I saw prepping items.One being a manager loading soups into the hot well which was one of the items that I ordered. After watching nobody making orders except for one person, I then drove off late to work and called the restaurant where a manager continued to make excuses about their full board, etc., etc.. these problems are not the guest problems. They are service problem ,a direct reflection of poor training from upper leadership being a manager whom should never make an excuse to a guest about the inability to set the restaurant up on time for opening operations. They should seek to apologize and see what they can do differently .The time was excessive 17 minutes in a drive-through not being Acknowledged . Being the only guest, and you can clearly see what’s going on It’s not only frustrating but for the $23 that my order was going to be why would I pay for that kind of service? A coworker was in the aroma Joe’s line at the drive-through nine cars deep when I pass to make my selection at Panera bread. I was the only person in line and yet somehow this employee managed to make it to work prior to me arriving after driving off. I would strongly suggest that they take a deep Dive into what the problem is when surrounding competition can clearly deliver faster and more exceptional experience with multiple cars and Topsham dropped the ball on...

I always order their turkey chili with an apple as a side, and hot tea. I've been diappointed recently, as the prices went up, in January possibly? But quality did not. On 3 separate occasions, when I got to look at my meal, I had been given mostly chili sauce, with little meat or substance to it. So, instead of drive thru, I went in the next time. The manager listened to what I had to say, and ensured that the chili wasn't just scooped off the top, but the ladle was dipped down into the thickness of the chili. However, before leaving the store, I checked my apple, only to find that 1/4 of it had a huge, mushy bruise! Granted, the manager quickly and pleasantly replaced this, but I don't WANT to have to go into the store every time and have to check the food. I WANT to go through drive-thru, and pick up my lunch or dinner meal for work, and drive away knowing I will be satisfied. I've had it until next winter. I may drop in for my fave turkey chili when I'm desperate for a hot meal to take with me. I'd like to end with a positive note that the store always seems clean, and employees...