Big Changes Are Coming To Panera That You Should Know About

Panera unveils a new menu on April 4, and that's not the only big change they've got cooking. There's frozen bread and the Charged Lemonade saga for starters. So let's dive into the evolution of Panera in 2024.
#Panera #Resaurant #FastFood
The Charged Lemonade controversy | 0:00
Four new sandwiches | 1:38
Bacon Mac & Cheese becomes official | 2:56
Four new salads | 3:43
Updated classics | 4:49
Say goodbye to flatbread pizza | 5:41
The Kitchen Sink Cookie lives | 6:29
Antibiotics on board | 7:15
More freezers and fewer bakers | 8:39
Why all the changes | 9:58
Menu change history | 11:02
Read Full Article: www.mashed.com/1546631/panera...

[@MashedFood]

Which of these changes are you the most excited for?

[@traceyfrerichs1246]

The Sips changes to policy are now placed on the individual employees who put the caffeine in the patrons drink. Then if something happens to the patron, Panera/St.Louis Bread, can wash their hands of it and blame the employee.

[@toms4020]

Nothing at Panera is exciting!

[@seanlinehan1136]

Absolutely none. And I highly doubt any of your team feels love for any of these changes as well, lest your taste buds be called into question

[@princess_maya_]

Nothing. The quality at Panera has decreased significantly. I use to go there nearly every week. Now? They're lucky if I go twice a year, not even bc I want to but out of sheer convenience. Their cookies are smaller and don't taste as good anymore. Same goes for their sandwiches and breakfast souffles! The chip bags have gotten smaller as well.

[@MMLynnmarie]

I used to be a faithful customer until they discontinued the clam chowder. I go in every once in a while and the food doesn't match the ridiculous price. Had to stop getting their salad because every time I ordered one the lettuce would be wilted. No matter which location I went to. The prices are just too high and the quality isn't there anymore. Plus the portions have gotten smaller.

[@kraftthisile9113]

I worked 2 and 1/2 days at this horrid place doing prep work. They didnt even pay me what they said they would and just laughed in my face when I confronted them about it. Walking on eggshells during that time all because the owner of the company mother lived in the area 🙄. Like thats somehow a special thing for anyone who isnt related to that rich family.

[@joyhappiness]

NLRB call

[@Mondegreen121]

The place sold out to new owners a long time ago. Think China owns it now.

[@That-Guy_]

​@@Mondegreen121 No, it's now owned by JAB out of Germany.

[@calenajackson8772]

I hate that they discontinued the teriyaki chicken bowl 😒 now I have no reason to go there

[@MoonDog991]

Panera also changing their motto, "Panera, we're not fast food." to avoid the new wages.

[@Kinglioncrown]

This is absolutely insane

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Yeah, I won't be going to Panera much this year, I see. They took away a lot of the things I went there for. Their menu is boring as hell now.

[@jruiz249265]

They probably had to change their menu because of the law suits against them costing them money. The backlash is probably affecting their business. I agree though , my favorite go to sandwich does not taste the same since they changed it

[@Liz-wz8dh]

@@jruiz249265 They're also about to go public again so they're cutting costs. It's a shame. I used to really like them but they haven't been good in years and now they're getting much worse.

[@L_M12wastaken]

Rest in peace Pepporoni melt, my favorite

[@javaskull88]

Glad the Frontega Chicken Sa switch is still available. There’s nothing like it anywhere else.

[@aia1229]

I love the sandwich with a choice of a bread as a side. 😂

[@ro9831]

The charged lemonades are really good, I would get the large every day after work.

[@EmilyJelassi]

Based just on the amount of shipping that goes through the port of Baltimore, this is going to REALLY affect the economy here in Maryland and around the country and the world 😢

[@JoshKeatonFan]

Timing of this video lines up with an e-mail I received saying that their systems are back online after being down since Saturday.

[@kevinfryman7143]

I was a longtime proponent of the local Panera, but the staff kept changing so often that whenever I went in NO ONE recognized me and the customer experience just went downhill. Why can't they retain good people? I just paused on the What's Leaving list. Souffles. WTF? Their forthcoming stock IPO is destined to fail after all these changes. Never going back.

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Totally agree. I miss being able to see the same associates there. The new people don't usually know what they're doing.

[@devonboulden2496]

Panera dropped the garden salad. I'm allergic to milk (cheese) and other things. I don't know what they prepare their meats with. Their ingredient/allergy books are impossible for even the employees to thumb through. I also worked for them once and loved the but not anymore. I'd love to go in and order a basic garden salad but the untrained employee doesn't know how to ring that up. As stupid as it sounds, I could order a salad minus the meat, but then I still get charged for the meat. The employees also get confused often and mess up special orders. Honestly, my experience is that 1 in every 4 or 5 orders with changes be made wrong. Panera is too much of a hassle to visit. Now they're going to bring in their breads partially baked and probably Turbo Chef them back to life. I have experience with this too and while Turbo Chef(ing) breads back to life isn't a horrible thing, the problem lies with the frozen bread. Frozen bread can be prone to frost problems. Also frozen bread isn't often given the same care as ice cream or meat. When handling it can be partially defrosted somewhere in the storage or transportation process. This leads to dry or stale spots in the bread and drastically reduces the quality. Panera's desperately trying to cut labor costs. Fresh bread was there thing. They've just given up fresh bread and they're going for the same quality you will find at your local grocery store only with a higher price point. That makes the entirely irreverent to me. These changes may make them as popular as Boston Market. Their locations will shrivel and shrivel until there's nothing left.

[@JSFGuy]

Next is going to be closures.

[@mangopilar]

I hope not, I ❤Panera it’s a real treat.

[@ebransc09]

I don’t think the bathroom has ever been redone at the one closest to me since it opened 20? Years ago - probably cleaned a handful of times in those years

[@toddportice4997]

I used to always go until i realized how the food was prepared, the sodium content. Still would buy the bread but if they are not going to be made by bakers in house daily, i will pass. Par frozen bread does not taste the same as fresh made from start to finish bread. I will pass.

[@Tom1980NY]

Bring back my Asiago Roast Beef.

[@gbs5736]

Used to be a regular for their frosted sugar cookies. They discontinued them so I am discontinuing Panera. Their food is way too expensive.

[@macmanmpls]

I LOVE the Chipolte Chicken Pizza.

[@Ninja-Brawl_Stars]

They got rid of it

[@Liz-wz8dh]

This is like an ad for Panera, but if you have eaten there, you know their food doesn't even look like this. They skimp on ingredients a lot at my local Panera so nothing really looks like the picture anymore. They're getting as bad as Chipotle.

[@ruthwallace8537]

Yummy

[@gobbletegook]

Will they pay $20 an hour in wages in California when it goes into effect or did they contribute to politicians to get exemptions? Asking for my friend Gavin.

[@DMaria216]

Irrelevant to the video. 🙄

[@thaisstone5192]

Well, if they have trouble keeping staff, they obviously stiff them on their pay already.

[@rangerannie5636]

Pretty sure they still have the "bread" exemption.

[@Steve-lx4wv]

The owner of this rat nest is really good friends with Gavin, that's why he is getting SPECIAL privileges i

[@mariogarcia2254]

@@DMaria216 relax triggered Newscum supporter. Your Newsom is for the rich and his buddies. Like when he bailed out that big electricity company for causing the largest wild fires in California history.

[@cardfan64]

Would have liked calories with the new and updated items. Also sounds like they are making changes for growth in the short term but will hurt their quality in the long run.

[@toddportice4997]

Omg the mac n cheese has so much salt in it already now with the bacon it is officially over the recommended amount of sodium per day. Wow

[@toddportice4997]

The steak also is not grilled on location

[@wenzyybeats9223]

@@toddportice4997never was lmao

[@Liz-wz8dh]

And it comes from a bag. No thanks.

[@wenzyybeats9223]

@@Liz-wz8dh most fast food comes from a bag including ingredients

[@beep1955beep]

I ❤️ my Panera!!!

[@jdyer4858]

Bring back toffee nut cookies

[@aclark1197]

People Ready Agency Knows.

[@mycartrunnethover]

I would go for the chocolate frozen cold brew, but they decided to discontinue it so I probably go maybe once a year for the chicken frontega until they discontinue that.

[@mj3845]

Panera has gone down in quality of their food. Expensive and disappointing in taste.

[@rh162]

You only mention the kitchen sink cookie. Nah. What about everything else.

[@peterrex8191]

I enjoyed this place until the chicken salad became a thin layer lettuce and two slices of chicken so thin you could see through it..all for about 9 dollars..uh no.

[@lesliemoore1656]

Panera was overpriced 15 years ago. Now it is more overpriced and not as good. Went last time 2 years ago, meh, smaller portions, poor quality, wont be back regardless of what they do. I eat out 1/4 of what I used to, when I do go, its a local mom and pop that blows them away for 1/2 what Panera charges.

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Same. I cook at home. These restaurants keep lowering their quality and upping their prices. I don't know what they think they're accomplishing. I used to really enjoy going to Panera every week years ago but I go a few times a year now and. I prefer local restaurants more so now too. They haven't really changed like the chains keep changing.

[@DixieGeezer]

The problem is, most of their menu is unhealthy. All the bake goods unhealthy, too much salt in their great tasting soups. That's why you never see bike clubs, Health Club Trainers in their stores. I love the coffee and that's why I'm here everyday.😮

[@Chee235]

They messed up the brioche bread and now they’re basically premade hamburger buns 🖕🏾

[@Liz-wz8dh]

I hear frozen bread is coming soon. Will be passing on that for sure.

[@That-Guy_]

​@@Liz-wz8dh Frozen bread has already hit Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Washington State, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama will switch to it this year.

[@kimboling8481]

😭waaahhhh😢 no more margarita 🍕 for me🤧

[@Xanduur]

When they dropped the Roast Beef sandwich , I stopped eating there.

[@Chee235]

I wonder why?

[@danafoley9207]

The The steak and white cheddar or roast beef? The steak and white or the cheesesteak is good from Panera

[@Mondegreen121]

Big changes? Haven't they changed enough? And not for the good. Just enough for me to say, no.

[@4riversgd]

Stop selling caffeine like a drug, period.

[@paulstein916]

Panera quality has gone downhill. I got tired of paying for salads with black wilted lettuce. Also grilled chicken breast that used to be the real deal that they dropped in favor of slimy factory chicken.

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Like so many chains, they just stopped trying. They're all about the profit but they lost what made us want to spend money there.

[@paulstein916]

@@Liz-wz8dh the company was sold to new ownership, the founder left and new management put in place. It’s not the same.

[@Liz-wz8dh]

@@paulstein916 Yeah, I think I remember hearing that a while ago. So disappointing.

[@kati-ana]

Where I live Panera Bread is the biggest joke. They opened here in 2017 and since that "Grand Opening" they have never ever ONCE got my order correct. EVER! They are grossly overpriced. The sandwiches are the biggest rip off. BBQ chicken they just put a small clump of chicken in the middle of the bread and that's it. The staff are the rudest. Management are still in diapers so they have no clue how to treat a customer because they're part of the, "boohoo I work too hard and I don't make enough money". This Panera Bread is SOOOO BAD I stopped giving them my business in 2022.

[@SarahRenz59]

It's hard to find any carry-out or delivery food joint that gets your order RIGHT every time. I've lost many $$$ over stuff that was missing from the bag or was the wrong item entirely. I don't get it; modern restaurant software is such that the order details are everywhere; on screens, on the printed receipt, etc. All the workers need to do is READ, but they can't seem to manage that. And yet they grouse that they're not getting paid enough!!

[@teresas8173]

They do pay crap…they have a high turnover for that reason and others.

[@SarahRenz59]

@@teresas8173 I don't disagree with you; however, it's hard to make a case that you deserve more pay when you can't master the basics of your job. EARNING your way to a pay raise or better position is a concept that seems to elude many of today's young folks. They think they should be rewarded for just showing up.

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Agree. Their staff are terrible.

[@Ninja-Brawl_Stars]

I want the pizza back 😭😭😭

[@breezii5806]

This whole video was based on reddit/forum responses Lmao

[@gd8740]

They took away all their goodness. Now it’s just a cafeteria. They should have never sold those hyper caffeinated drinks. I knew that was irresponsible when it first came out. I went there for something on the healthier more trendy side. Now it’s just a glorified Arby’s.

[@joanreynolds955]

They took everything I like off the menu.

[@JamminJ-xe2bd]

Panera , I’m done with you after you destroyed everything I used to love about your food and restaurants. I know many other people who feel the same way. Corporate acquisitions are destroying everything.

[@mangopilar]

They need to bring back, caffeinated drinks like Coke, to their menu they sips in my opinion are horrible.

[@wantsanewvehicle]

they have pepsi products

[@mangopilar]

@@wantsanewvehicle Thanks, it’s been a good while.