Panera Bread — Restaurant in Wake Forest

WARNING INCREDIBLY BAD SERVICE. Do Not Patronage This Place. ALL THE ONE STAR REVIEWS ARE CORRECT. EAT ANYWHERE ELSE. You can get similar food and better service so many places in the same shopping center. Went back today July 19,2021@6pm. Cashier super friendly. They were busy and had several pickups. We waited about 15 minutes for our food listening to the staff laughing, joking, talking about the manager being on the phone, kitchen flirting with cashiers and off duty staff, handing out orders to pick ups and delivery drivers. Then the kitchen said they had no orders and yet our name wasn't called. I stood up from our table since we were a dine in order, to check the counter and there was no food waiting to be picked up I went to the pick up area and asked about our food. The male responded with a blank stare and then "I don't know I've got 10 orders on my screen". The cashier offered to check and find out. 10 minutes more passed with the staff continuing to behave the same and even giving out free chocolate chip cookies to the people waiting to pick up their to go orders and still no food or response. We had ordered two salads. My dinner date then went to the pick up area and asked them about our food. He also got the same response with the 10 orders on the screen. We went to the front and asked for a refund. Cashier said she had to get the manager. He came out of the back, with phone in hand, and walked directly to the kitchen. Did not acknowledge us, came back out of the kitchen still no acknowledgment. We had to flag him down since the cashier had disappeared. The manger was talking about our order being given away to his staff without focusing on us or talking to us. He then fumbled through the refund saying he was trying to do it a fast way but had to do it the long way, we try to talk to him, get an explanation and or express our disappoint. But no, he cuts us off and wishes us a good night without an apology. Basically saying in both verbal and body language that he doesn't care. At least we got a refund.

This review was from two years ago, pre COVID-19. IT IS NO LONGER VALID AT THIS LOCATION: Ready to help front counter, food was tasty and portion size good. Dinner for two plus a treat for the...

I̶ l̶i̶k̶e̶ c̶o̶m̶i̶n̶g̶ h̶e̶r̶e̶ b̶e̶c̶a̶u̶s̶e̶, d̶e̶s̶p̶i̶t̶e̶ o̶r̶d̶e̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ t̶h̶e̶ e̶x̶a̶c̶t̶ s̶a̶m̶e̶ t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ e̶v̶e̶r̶y̶ t̶i̶m̶e̶, i̶t̶ i̶s̶ a̶ m̶y̶s̶t̶e̶r̶y̶ a̶s̶ t̶o̶ w̶h̶a̶t̶ I̶ w̶i̶l̶l̶ a̶c̶t̶u̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ r̶e̶c̶e̶i̶v̶e̶ i̶n̶ m̶y̶ b̶a̶g̶!̶

Edit: Having to update a years old review. Just visited today. Small line in drive-thru. Takes a long time, but whatever. I finally got to the window. Paid. Sat AT WINDOW for 20-30 minutes waiting for food. Multiple cars behind me just drive away. No communication. Finally had to ask for a refund and drive away empty handed.

Before today I have had fairly good luck and service. Oh well.

Edit: Another couple of years later. Now 1 star. I cannot stress this enough. DO NOT GO TO THE DRIVE-THRU. I have never been more disappointed in humanity. I waited over 30 minutes with very little communication. Huge line behind me, everyone is getting pissed. Finally was handed a bag. IT WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SANDWICH. I told the person working I had ordered something else, but they genuinely thought that what they had handed to me was correct and they had to confirm with the kitchen staff (which had already messed up my order at that point). I want to point out I only ever order a single sandwich straight off the menu, as it comes, no modifications. 1 sandwich for 1 person. I just don't understand how this place functions well enough to actually stay open.

Oh yeah, and I didn't even get my drink...

Are all Paneras like this? Can anyone offer any insight to the culture and workplace at a Panera? Just... why...? I don't experience anything like this...

Decided I wanted Panera for lunch again today like every other day. I tried to place threw the app like I always do , The app wasn’t working I then went to my desk top my soup wasn’t available . I proceeded to use the app again epic fail, I called the store no answer ... Now I’m in my car driving to the facility and decided to call again .This time someone answered to tell me that she will not accept my order over the phone due to new policy I have to use the app . I explained that the app wasn’t working and I called a few times now I’m walking in the door , I place my order with a not so friendly cashier whom is training another , I placed my order and told the cashier I had been calling . She says well I’ve been right here I didn’t get any phone calls basically calling me a Liar I showed her the phone log she ignored me . I asked to speak to the manager . I probably was better off talking to the wall , Dulce the manager listened an then proceeded to apologize also agreeing that her cashier was wrong . I walked out very unhappy and went back and asked for corporate. Which Dulce the manager did not have and instructed me to google , I called a number on google it beeped busy . Walked out and then asked for the # again she then said to google . This was probably the worst customer service ever .. They need to throw the whole store away .. Cashier needs more training, Dulce needs better...