We recently moved to the area and unfortunately, our first experience at this Panera will probably also be our last.
My wife and I were having a really nice Saturday date night and, after spending some time at a nearby park, decided on the spur of the moment that Panera sounded great. It was 8:45pm, so we had 15 minutes before they were closed.
We arrived about 9 minutes before the posted closing time, only to find the drive-thru already blocked off with a folding sign. We assumed maybe the drive-thru closed earlier, but there were still customers inside and the front doors were unlocked, so we went in.
By the time we parked, got out of the car, walked up and through the doors, then up to the register, there were still about 6 minutes until the posted closing time.
We walked up to the register and stood there while several employees very noticeably avoided acknowledging us. A few would glance in our direction and then look away or continue cleaning. Eventually, an employee came out from the back and made eye contact, so we politely asked if it was too late to order.
What made the situation especially awkward was watching her look around at the other employees for an answer. One employee who was cleaning near the drive-thru appeared to indicate no, and someone in the kitchen did the same. We were then told that the registers had already been closed out for the night and simply couldn't take another order. At this point, it was still about 4 minutes before the restaurant's posted closing time.
I completely understand that we arrived close to closing. My wife and I have both worked in restaurants/fast food, and we weren't expecting to sit in the dining room or keep anyone there late. We originally intended to use the drive-thru, grab two sandwiches, and leave. But if a restaurant is no longer accepting orders, I think it should actually be closed. Lock the doors, change the posted hours, or have someone at the entrance politely let customers know that orders have ended for the night.
Instead, the drive-thru was blocked early, the doors were still unlocked, customers were still inside sitting down and eating, and we were allowed to walk all the way to the register only to stand there while multiple employees seemed to avoid us until someone finally explained that everything had already been shut down.
I can't review the food because we never got the opportunity to order it. What I can review is how unwelcome we felt. We weren't rude, demanding, or asking anyone to stay past closing. We simply walked into an unlocked restaurant during its posted business hours hoping to place an order. Only because the drive-thru was blocked and not available.
It was a disappointing end to what had otherwise been a really nice date night, and unfortunately, with so many employees seemingly involved in the decision that our business wasn't wanted, I don't see us returning to this location.