Panera Bread — Restaurant in Town of North Hempstead

So I love buying from Panera bread but today changed my mind from ever going back to this store the new Hyde park store. As I sat and watched a lady sat in the corner and brushed her hair take the hair from the brush and rest it on the table brushed her hair again and pulled her hair from the brush and again put on the table I called the store and spoke with the manager who explained that the lady is a customer and she buys food there everyday so there’s nothing wrong with her coming here hair in the restaurant and she’s not in the back where food is being prepared I then said to him but this is a public area where people are sitting and eating food and someone is combing their hair the manager said there is nothing wrong with her combing her hair in a open area hair blowing around because someone decided to use the eating area of a public restaurant as there hairdressing area I was sick to my stomach and I will make sure that the department of health...

So I did an online "rapid" order for a vegetarian soup (religious reasons), I got home to a non vegetarian soup even though order says creamy tomato online and receipt. Frankly if I could eat it, I would have eaten the soup given by accident because mistakes happen.

I politely called the hillside location to explain the situation and ask for a refund. The person who picked up the phone said there's no soup like this at Panera and she made sure the order was correct.

When I asked for a refund, manager said to bring everything back as was given to me and my name is written in the book.

Oh really? Panera isn't shy at all to charge my card when I did my online order, but now I have to prove myself that I'm not lying over a $6 order by going back to the store and making a case ??!!

I shoulda checked for myself but I shouldn't have to be quality control at a fully established chain store with full staff and management.

Disrespectful staff,...

I don’t usually write reviews, but Kayla absolutely deserves recognition for the way she carries herself and cares for others at Panera. Every time I walk in and see her working, I know I’m going to have a good experience.

Kayla is warm, kind, and genuinely thoughtful. She treats every customer like they matter, no matter how busy it gets. You can tell she puts her heart into what she does whether it’s remembering your order, greeting you with a smile, or making sure everything is just right. That kind of consistency and care is rare.

What stands out most is how effortlessly she makes people feel seen and appreciated. It’s not just about the food or the service it’s the feeling you leave with. Thanks to Kayla, Panera feels a little more personal and a lot more welcoming.

She truly makes a difference, and I hope she knows how much her effort means to the people she serves every day. Thank you, Kayla you are the best...