Panera Bread — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

My receipt showed I was charged incorrectly for 2 drinks that weren’t ordered. I called the store. The gal that answered was pleasant, she apologized for the mistake. She asked me to save the receipt and add her name to the receipt so we know we spoke. I paid cash so she asked if it would be alright the next time I visit to receive the refund. At this point everything is ok. A few days later I called in my weekly bakers dozen order early around 7:30am. I said I’d be in to pick up the bagels around noon or a little before. I figured to myself I’ll take care of the refund at that time as well. Upon my arrival I grabbed my bagels which were ready to go. I asked the gal at the register for the refund for the drinks we never received nor ordered. She said she’d get a manager. Paul the manager asked what I needed I explained, my daughter and I were in on Sunday turns out it was Saturday and we ordered a duo dinner and a hole Goddess salad with 3 waters, one water for our dog. We were coming from the dog park to have lunch. We were going to sit on the veranda outside and have our lunch. My daughter brought the water bowl for the dog. The manager Pail asked me for the receipt so he could refund the money. He began saying the receipt shows I received 2 desserts for .99 cents. I explained while I was ordering I asked the gal if the deserts were .99 cents if we ordered a hole salad and the duo dinner to which she said yes they are. So I ordered 2 desserts for the .99 cents as well. The manager Paul began to say well it looks like you made out anyway because of desserts are usually $3.50 cents and you only paid .99cents so you did ok. He did say but no worries I’m going to credit you the 2 drinks. While he made his way to the register with my receipt he made not 1 but multiple snide remarks about him crediting the drinks we didn’t order again he reiterated “I made out”. I felt he was be berating me in front of other customers but he did give me a cash refund for the drinks not ordered. I asked for my receipt back and he told no he needed it because he needed to show why he gave back cash. I left to the parking lot. After starting my truck up I thought I’d like a picture of the receipt for my records so I went back in to ask if I could take a picture of the receipt for my records. While he was opening the register to get the receipt I said to him I didn’t appreciate how he treated me saying how I made out etc etc…. not known to me at the time you have to buy a meal combo to get the desserts for .99 cents. At this point the manager turned angry and refused my receipt, flat out said I’m not giving you a receipt he flipped his hand at me as to say he didn’t care goodbye continued saying I’m not getting a receipt as he walked away also muttering he didn’t care if I contacted Panera Bread your not getting a receipt. He then walked away behind the front counter and into the back unseen by customers. I was flabbergasted at his irate and unprofessional behavior. I was embarrassed by his actions. Standing there I saw a male employee laughing or grinning It was terrible. At that moment I saw another man dressed nicely not in a Panera uniform so to to speak he was younger. I asked if I could speak with him. He said yes I told him the story above. He asked for my name my Panera reward number etc however after 10 minutes he couldn’t get the receipt from the manager. He came back and forth asking more questions and finally after Amanda asked if she could help by pulling up my rewards the other younger manager gave me a computer print of the transaction. WOW What an experience. A customer who heard and saw all of the above waited for me in the parking lot and told me that was unbelievable. The gal who took the original order simply made a mistake by telling me the desserts were .99 cents. She was new not familiar with the register she had to ask an associate how to put no onions on the goddess salad. Beware of this treatment at this...

This Panera Bread moved about a year ago from the Parkway Place Shopping Center to the Lynnhaven Mall area. They are a standalone building to the right after entering into the complex from International Dr. I come here frequently. This is one of the first Panera Bread locations I have been to that has a drive through. My most recent visit was on November 19, 2022.

There is ample parking available, but you have to be careful when making turns, as it's extremely easy to go up the curbs. Hopefully in the future they change how the parking area looks. Definitely no curb appeal here. Also, Bank of America is next to Panera Bread. There is parking over there for the bank, but don't park there if coming to Panera Bread during the bank's normal business hours according to signage there.

This location is larger than their original location. The inside is bright and is similar to other Panera Bread locations. There are three kiosks where you can order on inside, but you can also order ahead on the app too. There is an area where you can order with someone there as well.

Panera Bread has an Unlimited Sip Club. This is a drink subscription of sorts. For $11.99 a month, you can get unlimited drinks (every 2 hours) at any Panera Bread location. I have been doing this for a while now, and I definitely use it more than the monthly cost if I were to order separately. I would say that if you are getting a drink here at least 3 to 4 times a month, you should join the sip club, as it will save you more in the long run.

Although most of my visits are to get a drink, I do occasionally order food items here as well. At breakfast, my go to is normally a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese sandwich on brioche. At lunch and dinner time, I have a few items that I go to. I generally choose between the Bacon Turkey Bravo, Chipotle Chicken Sandwich Melt, or a flatbread pizza. In general, the food has been really good. One thing they should work on though is that sometimes, they can get a little overcooked. I have seen this especially with the breakfast soufflés.

Overall, this is a great location overall. The staff are friendly and courteous, and will ask if you have any questions, even if you were just looking around while waiting for an order to be ready. I have met the general manager here several times and he is great to talk to. If an issue arises, he is quick to have it addressed. If you are in the Lynnhaven Mall area and looking for a drink or some food, this place is worth...

Sent me the wrong order and couldn't do nothing to correct it right away. I ordered chicken noodle soup and they sent me broccoli and cheese. Told me I can get the next order on them or call door dash for a refund. That does not help me right now. I only ordered it for my sick kid. Two stars for Ashley's petty attempt to try to fix the problem. Update:called door dash who said store has to do refund. I called back and Ashley answered phone again and I told her that what she said was not accurate and I don't appreciate being sent in circles as my kid is sick and I'm working I have no time for this. . She told me she hadn't answered the phone all day. Despite announcing her name as Ashley and having the same voice. Also, she is the manager as well.. how many managers named Ashley is at this store?? I don't appreciate being lied to and I told her she can either refund my money now, or I'm going to show up the the store and she doesn't want me to expose everybody because my kid just got tested for Covid today... the choice to help me was hers. she hung up on me after saying I was being unruly.. this was a $42 so I showed up at the store to get the refund (I did not go inside) and had to call the police because of her irate attitude in front of the store and customers AND refusal to provide proof that my money has been refunded. Apparantly according to the cop (who said she provided a completely different story by the way), Panera sends an email showing this information. Ashley could have told me that and avoided all of this. I informed corporate. It costs zero dollars to be a decent human being Ashley. All I wanted was chicken noodle soup for my sick kid. I hope God point you in the direction you need to be because it's not in...