Panera Bread menu/price changes

[AnninIowa]

We used to eat at Panera quite a bit, but have really cut back on dining out. The "extras" at Panera are what can really add up. I like milk with my meal, so was shocked when I had to pay $1.50 for a tiny little carton that I slurped down in two sips!!

Restaurant prices are up everywhere - they are facing the same issues we face at the grocery store. A local Italian restaurant recently raised their prices by almost $2 an item! The last time we were at Perkins our total with tip was nearly $30 for just two of us! Used to be two of us could eat there easily under $20. It's sad when the mid-priced family places are now out of our budget. I feel like fast-food is the only restaurant food I can afford...and since we don't eat at fast-food places, we just eat at home now.

 

[MKCP5]

Wow, $40 for Panera is a lot. The 2 of us and our toddler spent like $20 there last weekend for lunch, though, so I can see how you can hit $40 pretty easily with a couple of older kids. We had a gift card from our rewards' credit card, but still...those gift cards used to go a lot farther.

While I don't blame restaurants for raising prices, I DO blame them for doing sneaky things. What is sneaky? They said they made some changes. It is up to you to ask what they are.The price of the meal is the same, but the milk is no longer included. They immediately ask you if you want a drink with that. How many people will say yes, not realizing that they are now paying extra for that drink? How about just putting up a sign that says "we kept our prices the same but reduced what you're getting for them." Right. That would go over like a lead balloon. Let's be honest here at least. I'm not feeling "better served" by the changes. In fact, I'm feeling like I'll be getting this month's cc rewards gift card to Chili's instead and telling DH to use it when he goes out to lunch with his friends

Prices change, things happen. Don't badmouth the whole chain and call them sneaky when they said there are changes afoot because of the price of wheat. I just don't see where we all need full disclosure all the time. It's a sandwich shop for goodness sake.

 

[shortbun]

Ya know, DH and I just had a conversation about passing on the higher cost of doing business. It's hitting everywhere. My budget is busted on groceries alone!! Awful! And don't get me going about fuel. I thought I was pinching nickels pretty hard last summer; they'll be screaming this year. We had a budget meeting last night and DS12 was included. Time for him to know about family finances on a higher level. When fuel(DH uses a lot) and groceries go up 20-25% in one year....
I think Panera did you a favor posting a notice of changes. We REALLY don't expect them to say - "Our prices are going up!" do we? What we did was take a look at our dining out budget. We decided that our cost cutting measures would be to cut dining out by 20% and to help that along we'll just order water or find cheaper places. My son discussed, carry out to avoid the tip. We may do a little of that but I hate the idea that servers should carry the brunt of our budget crunch. DS also suggested that he could ride his bike on a few errands and to his friends house instead of being driven as a way of saving fuel. I already anticipated rising fuel costs and instead of two driving vacation weeks at separate times, we're taking one two week vacation using nearly half the fuel. We even talked about how to save a little money on vacation. We rarely scrimp on vacation but to keep within our yearly budget, it may be necessary to make a few changes there too. Long post but just saying...it's tough all over.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Prices change, things happen. Don't badmouth the whole chain and call them sneaky when they said there are changes afoot because of the price of wheat. I just don't see where we all need full disclosure all the time. It's a sandwich shop for goodness sake.

I disagree with you. They ARE being sneaky when they keep the prices the same, eliminate one part of the meal, and then ask you if you'd like a drink with that as soon as you order it. If you've ever ordered a kid's meal there, you know that as soon as you ordered it, they asked you WHAT you wanted to drink with it. How many people won't realize that the question changed oh-so-slightly, and will think that they are still getting an included drink when they say yes? I briefly said "yes" to the drink before I said "wait, is it not included anymore?" Believe me, they weren't volunteering that it wasn't included when I said yes. That IS sneaky IMHO, and it turned me off to going there anymore

FWIW, I discussed it with DH and we're emailing them about our displeasure with how they handled then new "changes". I can understand passing along costs by raising prices. So, raise the prices! People understand that. Don't keep them the same, change what you get for that price, and then try to get the customer to buy what they already thought was included. You can't see what they are ringing up at my Panera until they give you the slip, so you wouldn't realize that you'd been charged for things that used to be included until you already paid. Yes, sneaky IMHO.

Oh, and I'd say that the new changes are going over like a lead balloon anyways. Our Panera is usually packed at lunch on a Friday, and yesterday there was no line during the half-hour that I was there at noontime.

 

[MKCP5]

I disagree with you. They ARE being sneaky when they keep the prices the same, eliminate one part of the meal, and then ask you if you'd like a drink with that as soon as you order it. If you've ever ordered a kid's meal there, you know that as soon as you ordered it, they asked you WHAT you wanted to drink with it. How many people won't realize that the question changed oh-so-slightly, and will think that they are still getting an included drink when they say yes? I briefly said "yes" to the drink before I said "wait, is it not included anymore?" Believe me, they weren't volunteering that it wasn't included when I said yes. That IS sneaky IMHO, and it turned me off to going there anymore

FWIW, I discussed it with DH and we're emailing them about our displeasure with how they handled then new "changes". I can understand passing along costs by raising prices. So, raise the prices! People understand that. Don't keep them the same, change what you get for that price, and then try to get the customer to buy what they already thought was included. You can't see what they are ringing up at my Panera until they give you the slip, so you wouldn't realize that you'd been charged for things that used to be included until you already paid. Yes, sneaky IMHO.

Oh, and I'd say that the new changes are going over like a lead balloon anyways. Our Panera is usually packed at lunch on a Friday, and yesterday there was no line during the half-hour that I was there at noontime.

It will be packed again the next day. Rail all you want. Spend your time emailing over a sandwich or drink price. I disagree that everyone is "owed" an explanation They changed their policy. Simple. Go somewhere else if you don't like it. There will be another 30 people in line to take your place in 15 minutes

 

[MKCP5]

I disagree with you. They ARE being sneaky when they keep the prices the same, eliminate one part of the meal, and then ask you if you'd like a drink with that as soon as you order it. If you've ever ordered a kid's meal there, you know that as soon as you ordered it, they asked you WHAT you wanted to drink with it. How many people won't realize that the question changed oh-so-slightly, and will think that they are still getting an included drink when they say yes? I briefly said "yes" to the drink before I said "wait, is it not included anymore?" Believe me, they weren't volunteering that it wasn't included when I said yes. That IS sneaky IMHO, and it turned me off to going there anymore

FWIW, I discussed it with DH and we're emailing them about our displeasure with how they handled then new "changes". I can understand passing along costs by raising prices. So, raise the prices! People understand that. Don't keep them the same, change what you get for that price, and then try to get the customer to buy what they already thought was included. You can't see what they are ringing up at my Panera until they give you the slip, so you wouldn't realize that you'd been charged for things that used to be included until you already paid. Yes, sneaky IMHO.

Oh, and I'd say that the new changes are going over like a lead balloon anyways. Our Panera is usually packed at lunch on a Friday, and yesterday there was no line during the half-hour that I was there at noontime.

You are also assuming that it is "company policy" to handle this issue this way. That store may have been instructed and that cashier may have been insructed to tell each kids meal purchaser of the new policy as they ring them up but the cashier didnt want to face and unhappy Mommy and didn't bother. You have no idea what the actual policy may be

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

It will be packed again the next day. Rail all you want. Spend your time emailing over a sandwich or drink price. I disagree that everyone is "owed" an explanation They changed their policy. Simple. Go somewhere else if you don't like it. There will be another 30 people in line to take your place in 15 minutes

Or perhaps this Panera will go out of business just like the salad/sandwich chain across the street did a few months ago when people got sick of their high prices and stopped going there The place went from packed to empty when they raised their prices. Their food was better than Panera's, too, but their prices were higher. More power to Panera if they can make these changes and keep the place packed. I seriously doubt it, though. That hasn't gone over so well at other chain places around here, and I have no idea why this one would be any different.

There is always someone on these boards who has to be the naysayer. It's NOT OK to get angry because a place that you frequent made changes that caused you to want to stop going there, right Oh, and for sure, don't tell corporate about it, because it wastes your time. They wouldn't want to know that people don't appreciate the new "changes," right? If it were me, I'd want to know. My life didn't end because Panera made some irritating changes. It DID irritate me, though, and I took a few minutes to let them know that. I doubt that it will have any impact, but perhaps if they hear the same thing from a lot of people, they will rethink their changes where possible.

 

[MKCP5]

Or perhaps this Panera will go out of business just like the salad/sandwich chain across the street did a few months ago when people got sick of their high prices and stopped going there The place went from packed to empty when they raised their prices. Their food was better than Panera's, too, but their prices were higher. More power to Panera if they can make these changes and keep the place packed. I seriously doubt it, though. That hasn't gone over so well at other chain places around here, and I have no idea why this one would be any different.

There is always someone on these boards who has to be the naysayer. It's NOT OK to get angry because a place that you frequent made changes that caused you to want to stop going there, right Oh, and for sure, don't tell corporate about it, because it wastes your time. They wouldn't want to know that people don't appreciate the new "changes," right? If it were me, I'd want to know. My life didn't end because Panera made some irritating changes. It DID irritate me, though, and I took a few minutes to let them know that. I doubt that it will have any impact, but perhaps if they hear the same thing from a lot of people, they will rethink their changes where possible.

That's because it is a DISCUSSIONforum. Not a "everyone agree with me on my opinion forum"

 

[kydisneyfans]

I agree with a few other posters, prices are up for reasons beyond their control, at least they were the only location that I have seen with a notice explaining the reason and an apology included. That same notice was posted at all 4 Paneras I patronize.

I guess for the kids meals, maybe they should have rasied those by a buck or 2 and kept the drink included.

The Paneras in my area are still as busy as ever with a 30 minute limited seating during high volume periods.

The problem is really out of their control.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I agree with a few other posters, prices are up for reasons beyond their control, at least they were the only location that I have seen with a notice explaining the reason and an apology included. That same notice was posted at all 4 Paneras I patronize.

I guess for the kids meals, maybe they should have rasied those by a buck or 2 and kept the drink included.

The Paneras in my area are still as busy as ever with a 30 minute limited seating during high volume periods.

The problem is really out of their control.

I agree that the problem of rising commodity prices is beyond the control of any restaurant right now. While it's fine that they put a sign up, they should train their cashiers to at least say "drinks are no longer included with that meal, but you can add one on for $x.xx?" or something to that effect IMHO. That would be good customer service.

It will be interesting to see if this paticular location survives the price hikes. I think that they will see a big loss of business on a permanent basis, as a lot of their patrons are elderly folks in our area.

 

[starwood]

General Mills did the same thing several years ago with their cereals. They kept the price the same but the size of a 10 oz box went down to 8 oz. I can get the store brand cheerios in a 10 oz box for $1.00 less than Cheerios. How many people will look at the price of an 8 oz box of Cheerios and say "it's only .50 more than the store brand" and not notice it's 2 oz less.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

DD5 and I have eaten at Panera's a few times over the past month. I order a salad and she has the onion soup which she loves and is just enough for both of us. We were not ordering any drink since we gave up soda for lent. We would just ask for small cups for water with lemon. We were able to eat lunch for about $12 which is more than McDonald's, but so much better and healthier. I would definitely still order the water with lemon. I wonder if their other items on the menu also increased?

As far as changes being made in restaurants, we used to go to Charlie Brown's about once a month. This was a GREAT steakhouse/burger family restaurant with a great salad bar. We would be able to have 3 or 4 kids meals and burgers for my DH and I for about $40. They made lots of changes to 'serve us better' and we can no longer eat there for under $60 (and that is with a $10 coupon). Kids now have to pay $3 or $4 extra to eat at the salad bar. They never told us and we found out when it showed up on our bill. They should have at least told us that they now charge. My kids do not go to the salad bar now. Prices went up and their 'points' card program changed for the worst. We rarely go there now and constantly receive promotions in the mail. I am guessing that the constant mailings are due to business going down.

I agree that it will not hurt to write corporate and explain your feelings. It can't hurt.

 

[branv]

We don't have a Panera near us, but we do have Jason's Deli. Near as I can tell, still include drinks with kids meal, which in our area are $1.99 (organic PBJ, Grilled cheese, hotdog, pizza, mac) or $2.99 (baked potato, deli sandwich, spaghetti, salad bar).

I love Jason's Deli. Mmmmmmmm.

And you can see them make your food

 

[strmtroopr96]

I also love Panera's. There is never a time where I'm not stumped trying to decide what to get. As for your post, the one that I frequent here in Syracuse, NY had a similar sign up. It mentioned customer service stuff, but it also spoke about how the price of wheat had increased 100% over the past four weeks.

So funny that I just came across your post as I was about to look online to see if there were any Panera's in the Syracuse area! LOL We are headed to Carousel on Thursday to go to Build a Bear (we live about an hour east) and I have a giftcard that I was thinking of using.

Well, I guess I got my answer!

 

[angwill]

I disagree with you. They ARE being sneaky when they keep the prices the same, eliminate one part of the meal, and then ask you if you'd like a drink with that as soon as you order it. If you've ever ordered a kid's meal there, you know that as soon as you ordered it, they asked you WHAT you wanted to drink with it. How many people won't realize that the question changed oh-so-slightly, and will think that they are still getting an included drink when they say yes? I briefly said "yes" to the drink before I said "wait, is it not included anymore?" Believe me, they weren't volunteering that it wasn't included when I said yes. That IS sneaky IMHO, and it turned me off to going there anymore

FWIW, I discussed it with DH and we're emailing them about our displeasure with how they handled then new "changes". I can understand passing along costs by raising prices. So, raise the prices! People understand that. Don't keep them the same, change what you get for that price, and then try to get the customer to buy what they already thought was included. You can't see what they are ringing up at my Panera until they give you the slip, so you wouldn't realize that you'd been charged for things that used to be included until you already paid. Yes, sneaky IMHO.

Oh, and I'd say that the new changes are going over like a lead balloon anyways. Our Panera is usually packed at lunch on a Friday, and yesterday there was no line during the half-hour that I was there at noontime.

I am just wondering if you realized that almost everything you buy that the price hasn't gone up on much is because they are putting less ounces in the same bag or box? There was just a big report about how bagged chips, frozen foods, canned goods etc have been putting less in the package for a while now so they can keep the costs from going up and upsetting the consumer. Most people don't even realize it.

 

[rparmfamily]

I miss Panera and that sucks a drink isn't included in a kids meal, especially since kids meals are normally pretty small for the cost!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I see it from both sides. My husband is a food broker and the manufactuer is struggling to keep his head above water with the increased prices of the raw materials because of the fuel prices. AS for Panera I do like their food but they have been going up for quite a while. They made the plates smaller on the salads and give much less for the same price. This happened way beforethe whole fuel thing. AT least they were honest about the price increase this time , but then I guess it is difficult to hide the fact that a beverage is not included.

 

[dahrjo]

I agree with looking at it from both sides. In our bakery business, wholesale pricea have almost all increased 50-100% for flour, sugar, milk, eggs fillings, etc. For gas prices or whatever reason. Thinking about how much you pay at the grocery store for a dozen eggs, which has doubled, and we use thousands of eggs each week. Our supply cost is huge!!! We tried to raise some wholesale prices by .50 and lost an account. Our prices are the same as they were 10 years ago! The customers start complaining about the prices and it is frustrating. The ingredients cost more than the cake -but it isn't seen like that from the customers viewpoint.

Panera's was very sneaky with excluding the drink, but I do understand their reasons.

 

[holden]

This may be OT, but I stopped eating at Panera after I looked at the nutritional information about their food. There are few things on the menu that are not loaded with calories and fat. The salads are really horrifing!!!

Just think, you're saving more than $ by not eating there.

 

[Floridagal23]

So funny that I just came across your post as I was about to look online to see if there were any Panera's in the Syracuse area! LOL We are headed to Carousel on Thursday to go to Build a Bear (we live about an hour east) and I have a giftcard that I was thinking of using.

Well, I guess I got my answer!

There is a Panera on erie boulevard, in the Marshall's plaza - if you exit 690 at bridge street and hang a left. There is another location in the target shopping center a few miles up the road in fayetville, and then another one in cicero (near the giant car mall). All locations are always packed IMO - I do homework there a lot.