Panera Bread - Brookfield

My experience at Panera Bread was disappointing. My order was wrong, and the staff appeared frustrated about the mix-up. When my sandwich finally arrived, the c... read more My experience at Panera Bread was disappointing. My order was wrong, and the staff appeared frustrated about the mix-up. When my sandwich finally arrived, the cheese was cold and the eggs were still cool in the middle. It could have been an off day during a busy time, but that was my only experience with Panera Bread. I don’t plan to return or explore more of their menu.

I arranged a client meeting at this Panera at 3 PM on a hectic Packer Sunday, expecting it to be relatively quiet due to the late hour. To my surprise, there we... read more I arranged a client meeting at this Panera at 3 PM on a hectic Packer Sunday, expecting it to be relatively quiet due to the late hour. To my surprise, there were only three other customers in the restaurant, yet every table I saw was dirty and the floor was littered with debris. The staff seemed indifferent and moved at a crawl, as if they had no urgency at all. They were also low on supplies, with lids, cups, and straws in short supply. Every counter surface was unclean, and the staff were dressed in sweatpants, which was quite unprofessional. I felt embarrassed for bringing my guests here. Given it was 3 PM, there had been ample time for the team to clean up after the lunch rush, yet there was no line for ordering food and the team clearly didn't care about the state of the dining area. During the hour I spent there, none of the three employees made any effort to clean the tables—even after I mentioned it—or to tidy up for the upcoming dinner rush. I even took it upon myself to wipe down four tables and pick up trash around my area to make it more presentable for my guests. This wasn’t an issue of being too busy or short-staffed; it was clear that the staff simply did not care.

During our visit, we were taken aback to see the staff cleaning the vents right in front of customers while simultaneously preparing food. To make matters worse... read more During our visit, we were taken aback to see the staff cleaning the vents right in front of customers while simultaneously preparing food. To make matters worse, a woman sitting at a table directly below this activity was holding her baby, and nobody thought to ask her to move. As dust and debris filled the air, my husband felt it necessary to talk to the manager about the situation. However, he was informed by the person at the front that no manager was available, and that the cleaning was only two feet away from the food—a statement that was clearly misleading, as that area near the ladder is used for food preparation. Overall, the experience was tainted by poor management, cleanliness concerns, and a lack of consideration for customers. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this restaurant.

After receiving an incorrect order, we noticed a worker cleaning the air vents above the kitchen, causing dust to fall onto the floors and possibly onto food pr... read more After receiving an incorrect order, we noticed a worker cleaning the air vents above the kitchen, causing dust to fall onto the floors and possibly onto food preparation surfaces. When we expressed our concerns to the staff at the front, they assured us that she was far enough away and that it wouldn't affect the food. However, as shown in the picture, she was clearly in the food preparation area, creating a mess. I strongly advise avoiding this restaurant.

The sprouted bread, apple salad, and vegetable soup were all amazing! The person taking orders was incredibly helpful. Although the menu board mentioned that th... read more The sprouted bread, apple salad, and vegetable soup were all amazing! The person taking orders was incredibly helpful. Although the menu board mentioned that the tomato and butternut squash soups were vegan, they turned out not to be. Fortunately, there's a book at the counter where they can check the ingredients for each dish.