Panera Bread — Restaurant in Valdosta

I am typically not one to say anything but given the fact that I worked at Panera for 4 years and know the expectations and standards of the company I was disappointed with my experience…which let me mention I was hesitate on coming here. It has been 6 months since I’ve worked for the company and yes some things change but I doubt the standards have changed in 6 months. Also to mention I am pregnant and sick, so I was really looking forward to this meal. It was a pretty slow, rainy day so they were not busy when I walked in. The gentleman at the register was a sweetheart, kind and attentive…he even offered me a bigger cup of water. Although I will say he had his AirPod in the whole while taking my order, and personally I think that is very rude. Your attention should be on the customer and why do we have our AirPods in while working…that’s just my take. But other than that great service on his behalf. For reference I got a full Chicken Avocado BLT sandwich and a cup of chicken and wild rice, but I substituted a few things like the grilled chicken for smoked pulled chicken and the garlic aioli sauce for chipotle aioli with no tomatoes. To be honest that was not a lot. When I received my sandwich it had both meats on the sandwich and typically anyone would be okay with it but I’m just not a fan of the grilled chicken and I also forgot to ask for the sandwich to be toasted so I informed the girl on the line of the two meats and asked if she could heat the sandwich up. I could tell it bothered her by her body language but she still did it. So while she did that I started to eat my soup and realized my bread was cold and not warm. Panera Bread is known for “HOT BREAD,” unless things have changed in 6 months…which I doubt. So I went up there to let her know that my bread wasn’t hot and she explained to me the bread doesn’t come hot unless requested upon. Which is strange but okay. So she took a new piece and heated it up for me. As soon as my foods ready I get it and she explained to me that both meats were on the sandwich “they’re just spread out on the top and bottom.” Which was not what I asked for. On the receipt and I explained to her as well that there’s not supposed to be grilled chicken but smoked pulled chicken instead…so she was not understanding. Not the biggest deal but I just took my food and sat down. Not to mention the piece of bread she heated up for me was burnt and so crunchy it hurt my teeth to bite into it so I just ate the inside. My sandwich was literally falling apart, because it’s so huge and she put double meat. On top of that when she heated my sandwich she also heated the lettuce with it and topped it off with some fresh lettuce. I don’t know if y’all have ever had heated lettuce but it’s disgusting, so I just ended up picking out the lettuce. Lastly, the avocado looked like it was just stuffed in the sandwich like she forgot it ( you can tell in the picture it’s about to fall out). So I was just disappointed with this experience overall to be honest. I already think Panera Bread is overpriced but I was just craving it so bad and did not feel good, I wanted to give it a try…definitely...

I NEVER go out of my way to put reviews on Google, but today, I felt SO compelled because of the disrespect and HORRIFYING service I received. If I could give this store 0 stars, I would! So i just moved to Valdosta from NC and didn't have a Panera within 100 miles. About 8:40pm today July 2nd, I pulled up into the drive-thru of the new Valdosta, GA store. Mind you, I was sitting at the order station in the drive-thru from 8:40pm until 9:05pm when I finally decided to pull up to the window to find out what was going on! When I pulled up to the window, NUMEROUS employees saw me waiting and trying to get their attention. At first, they pretended like I wasn't there and kept ignoring me. Finally after waving my hands around for about 5 minutes, a younger heavy set caucasian boy with blonde hair and a black shirt starts pointing and laughing. He then starts talking to the other employees and they begin to laugh with him! I could hear him saying, "she's not leaving, she's not leaving" and he was staring right at me laughing. I see the manager who was a caucasian woman with a hot pink shirt see me there and AGAIN ignores me. I then start waving more abruptly to get her attention. She rolled her eyes and came to the window... she began scoffing at me and says loudly, "uh, don't you see?! We are closed". I explained to her that myself and another lady that pulled in right behind me had been waiting since about 8:40pm and that I was at the order window. NO ONE ever said they were closed and from what I saw, they closed at 9pm. After explaining this to the woman, she goes "OOOOOOKAY, SO WHAT DO YOU WANT?! I SHUT EVERYTHING OFF AND HAVE NOTHING LEFT" as she rolls her eyes and scoffs at me. I told her never mind to forget it and thank you. I have been a customer of Panera Bread for about 15 years now and this is BY FAR the absolute WORST experience I have ever had. I would've been okay and understanding if they were closed, no problem. But her and the TEENAGE employees laughing in the window was COMPLETELY uncalled for, unprofessional, disrespectful and I will let everyone I know who asks me about this store the experience I had. ALL of the employees near the window when I pulled up should be fired- it was like a circus. Funnily, I am a regular customer who spends at least $100 a week here. Not at this location. Totally rude. Do not go here!!!!! Hopefully the lady behind me puts a review. I am requesting to be contacted by corporate please.

And by the way, I tried to get the store number to call and get the store managers information, the number posted is disconnected.

UPDATE 7/4: I went into the store yesterday before because I put this review AND reached out to corporate and no one has responded. I gave my number to the gentleman who said he was the assistant manager and he said he would have someone reach out ASAP... NOTHING. NO CONTACT NUMBER FOR THIS STORE EITHER! This has been 4 days now. And I found out the female manager's name is Megan!

UPDATE 7/9: STILL ZERO CONTACT MADE TO REACH OUT BY STORE. RIDICULOUS CUSTOMER SERVICE!

7/11: NOTHING! AND I...

My family and I went to have breakfast there. I give this place a 5 based on a single experience only, but it was an excellent experience.

The food was fresh and scrumptious. We had bagels with cream cheese, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, and hot tea. All the food was fresh. The quality and taste of the bread was great. The tea/coffee/lemonade/juice bar was exceptional because it has great variety, and it was clean. We are avid hot tea drinkers and so the options they had were nice. The staff were professional and kind. Were they at the door greeting us? No, but I don’t expect that. What I expect as a customer is courteousness, positivity, and a fulfilled order; all of which we received. There was a lady who took the time to answer all our questions about the food and drinks as we aren’t familiar with Panera. She was positive, patient, and knowledgeable. I liked the way they bring out the food by giving you a tracker, so you don’t have to keep listening up to hear your number, or worse wait at the counter with a bunch of others to pick up your order and then sit. Plus I noticed food can be ordered via tablets or apps on personal phones, etc. Finally, it’s nice to have outdoor seating as I’m not a big fan of freezing indoor temperatures.

Based on other reviewers, it sounds like it depends on luck whether you get good service or not, so maybe Panera management needs to review their training material and make sure every employee adheres to Panera standards at all times. I’d hate to have one of the unpleasant experiences others seem to have had already. Fingers crossed things get better for all, as we do need a place like Panera in Valdosta especially because Atlanta Bread Co isn’t...