Panera Bread

Had an unfortunate experience. My friend and I asked what was in the different smoothies and the staff was so unknowledgeable, they couldn't answer. There were 3 employees behind the counter; a cashier, someone slicing bread and someone talking to the guy slicing bread. I grabbed a paper menu and showed my friend a little more information on the menu. She then asked them what the mixed berries included. They couldn't answer. We were basically told "We don't make them so we don't know." I realize this is a new store with new employees but this was terrible customer service. These employees need trained on the products they are selling and when they don't know, they need to find the answer. Had I not been there with my friend who was a lot more generous than me, I would've left. We ended ordering strawberry banana smoothies and they tasted good so no issues there.

I was very excited to have a Panera Bread so close to where I work on not all the way across town, until I went through the drive through on my way to work this morning. When I went to eat the salad, I was extremely disappointed to see that the dressing was expired 2 days prior. The avocados were brown and the crispy toppers were stale. I called and talked to the manager I believe his name was Jose and his response was to tell me they just didn’t relabel the dressing and it was still fine to consume, be that the case or not I don’t want to pick up food from a drive through that says it is expired and that is a terrible response from a manager. He offered to let me come back to get something else unfortunately I can’t leave work to go do that. He offered to have their delivery driver bring me food which I appreciated but the last thing I wanted at that point was ton get any food from that restaurant. I am not sure I will be back to this Panera which is very disheartening and disappointing. I hope this was just a slip up due to being new and that the staff and manager get it together.

This new Panera is a mess. It's only redeeming quality is the beautiful new building. At first I thought it was because they were new and learning, but nothing changes. Rewards I have asked to be applied were not. Product is constantly out. I have never once seen a souffle available, even though I go no later than I would to the Southwind location, where they're almost always available. And now they refused to make me an Italian sandwich because it was "discontinued", even though it's on the app menu and the new newly designed website. I think I was being lied to, but I'm not sure why. That was the last straw. Drive to the Southwind location across town! I go there a lot even though I live extremely close to the new location.

Staff NEVER tells you when you have a reward that could save you money. I have gone here twice knowing that I have a reward that can be used and both times they never applied it unless I said something. I was also given a cookie today that was a hockey puck, as it sat out all day with no covering whatsoever and was burnt at the bottom. Don’t know if the Panera’s in manhattan are owned by the same people but the Panera on Poyntz is 0/10 would not recommend.