SC
Salvador Castillo
Nov 25, 2025
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to formally address a recurring issue I’ve experienced at your Panera Bread location, culminating in a highly disappointing visit this morning. I believe in giving businesses the chance to improve—especially companies positioned as polished, modern, and customer-centric—but the inconsistencies in service and the breakdowns in your ordering system have reached a point where it affects my willingness to return.
This morning, I walked into Panera expecting a simple, pleasant, and efficient start to my day. Instead, the experience became unnecessarily complicated and frustrating. The disconnect between the in-store ordering process and the app-only promotions continues to create confusion for both customers and employees. Cash customers—like myself—are placed at a disadvantage. The app rejects orders without adequate credits, employees are unsure how to process them, and the entire transaction becomes tangled in a system that feels out of sync with the basic needs of your customers.
When my order was finally taken, the execution was incorrect. My bagel came out cold, unsliced, and without butter—and it was prepared in a condition that made it absolutely unappealing. Something as simple as a bagel should not ruin the start of a customer’s morning, yet it did. I did not wake up to fight for my coffee or my breakfast, nor did I come in expecting to have to correct multiple errors over something so simple. I came in for a smooth, predictable, pleasant experience—one I have every right to expect from a national brand.
I want to make it clear:
I am not writing this complaint because I enjoy complaining. I am writing because the purchase experience, the service flow, and the automation systems in place are not aligned with the expectations Panera sets as a polished, modern, corporate establishment. When your brand presents itself with a strong corporate image—clean lighting, organized décor, digital screens, and a promise of convenience—it should deliver service that matches that standard.
This morning’s experience, paired with the ongoing frustrations related to your app-driven promotions and in-store ordering confusion, undermines customer trust. It disrupts the spirit of the visit, and ultimately makes the experience feel like work instead of comfort. I simply want a consistent, correct, and pleasant service experience each time I visit—nothing more, nothing less.
I respectfully request that this issue be reviewed so future experiences can reflect the quality your brand promises. Panera has every opportunity to provide streamlined service, and I hope to see improvements in the ordering system, communication with staff, and the accuracy of simple food items.
Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to seeing meaningful changes implemented.