Panera Bread — Restaurant in Wethersfield

Truly disgusted with my experience today. I placed an order under the name Staci. I had to use the kiosk because though there were many employees and a manager present (younger male with facial hair), no one acknowledged anyone coming in the building and there was no cashier. I wanted to pay cash but no one would even look at me, so I was forced to use the kiosk. I placed my own order and paid via the kiosk. I’m all for integrating technology into business, but it should not take the place of having a cashier.

I placed my order at 1:54. I received my order at 2:15. In the time waiting for my order to be made, I witnessed the manager on duty arguing with a man that spent his entire lunch break waiting for food asking for a refund. He was clearly frustrated, but not being disrespectful. The manager told him that he couldn’t give him his tip back (because he had to use the kiosk) and the tip system didn’t match with the regular payment system. When the guy pushed and said “I didn’t receive any food or any service, I just want the full amount paid back, the manager said if he wasn’t going to relax, he could leave. He eventually took the guys information and told him someone would call him. Then two employees got into an argument because of the refund (the food was still made and the kitchen staff was mad that they made it). The cashier then told the kitchen, you’re mad, but I told you and you just don’t listen. Then two other people came up for refunds and another set of girls came up and told the manager that they’ve been waiting for almost an hour on their food and the manager just said “it’s coming”. Start to finish, it took 20 mins to make a cold sandwich, a bag of chips and a coffee.

The whole operation from the second I walked in the door was just bad. There were a bunch of employees in the back that could have been pulled up to help get through the rush. I know restaurants are understaffed, and there are people out here trying to be patient and understanding, but the lack of any sense of urgency, professionalism and basic hospitality was just horrifying. Not to mention 90% of the tables in the dining room were dirty and the trash cans and dish bins were overflowing.

Will not be back. This location is in desperate need of...

On this Friday night, my family and I did what we have done dozens of times before at this Panera and ordered a bowl of broccoli soup, a mac and cheese, and a salad on the app. It said it would be ready in 10 minutes, which was 6:40. I got there at 6:40, and saw my name on the rapid pick screen. It said order ready, but there was no to go bag. I asked the people in the kitchen when the order would be up, and they said it was ready, but nothing was there. Then they said 5 more minutes, and then it was 32 more minutes.

In the meantime, 5 teenagers came in and ordered food after I got there, and I asked the manager why it was taking so long. And she said because they got really busy in the dining room and those orders come first before the to go orders. She really didn't seem to care. Meanwhile her and the kitchen workers seemed to be having a great time, laughing and joking, abs a few just standing around. I then saw other customers who came in 10 or 15 minutes after me getting their to go orders that have come up after mine on the screen. At this point, the teenagers received their 5 meals and left.

Finally, at 7:12, I received my food, but not really... I checked the bag, and the bowl of broccoli chedder soup was missing. One of the cooks helped me.

Upon arrival at home, not even 5 minutes away because I live right in town; we discovered the Mac and cheese was ice cold. The soup had no cheese in it at all and was like water. And my salad was missing blue cheese and had very little chicken in it. I really felt like this was just a huge rip-off and a waste of time.

My family and I are thoroughly disgusted with the management of this restaurand, and will not...

So this is very crazy went to get some lunch here and there was a super long line for the drive through. So I decided to go inside and order. The staff did not acknowledge me while I stand at the register while I wait for her to finish scrolling on her phone. I then hello just in case she did not see me. I said hi again and she looked at me as if I’m bothering her and that nasty attitude she gave I almost did not ordered I was waiting for my food after 2 people was in front already waiting by this time I’m now waiting 10 minutes so I’m not sure how long the others were waiting. One of the ladies waiting went to the same girl and ask if she placed her order because of the ridiculous amount of time she spent waiting for her food. I asked if they had my order in and what’s the hold up. The answer was oh we are backed up and your 15th in line. I’m like what?!!! How? By this time it’s 15 minutes. The lady who went and asked about her order asked for a refund and left. I decided to do the same as I was on my lunch break at work. The big kicker here. This staff had the nerve to ask me what I ordered and she was even adding things I did which would make my refund more than what I paid for. I gave her the card I used. I check my statement today and she did not give me the correct refund.

I’m not sure how these young folks are going to make it. The future is scary. But this location needs help and corporate needs to step in ASAP you cannot have an establishment operating like...