Does Panera Bread Have Drive Thru

Must Try

Certain Types Of Panera Customers Really Back Up The Drive

New Panera Bread drive-thru in Boardman opening next week

Most people use the drive-thru to avoid waiting 20 minutes for food, but sometimes customers get in their own way. At Panera, drive-thru workers already have a tough time sending out speedy orders, but they’re also faced with those “can I speak to the manager” types. By now, we all know them, sometimes because of what is now a classic haircut, but they come in all shapes and sizes. According to Business Insider, rude diners demanding refunds for minor or flat-out fake complaints are far from an anomaly. These people absolutely decimate the chance that the tickets behind them could be completed in good time.

One Panera drive-thru worker explained a situation where a customer ordered $90 worth of food from their car before demanding “a refund and a free new meal” over a “trivial complaint.” “This caused us to have 30-minute ticket times for some people behind this person who refused to move,” the employee told Business Insider. “Instead of our managers telling them to buzz off, we ended up causing lots of our good customers to wait extreme amounts of time.”

Panera Bread Tests Artificial Intelligence Technology In Drive

  • Two Panera Bread locations in upstate New York are testing artificial intelligence technology that takes drive-thru orders.
  • Restaurants have been investing in improving the drive-thru experience for customers, adding more lanes and testing tech that would improve order accuracy and service times.
  • About 45% of Panera’s more than 2,000 locations have drive-thru lanes.

Starting Monday, drive-thru customers at two Panera Bread locations in upstate New York will have their orders taken by a computer in a test of artificial intelligence technology’s accuracy and ability to decrease service times.

The sandwich chain is the latest restaurant company to invest in potential improvements to the drive-thru experience. A surge in drive-thru ordering during the Covid pandemic led to long lines of cars wrapped around restaurants, pushing chains to focus on speed of service and order accuracy.

has also been working to automate its drive-thru lane, announcing a partnership last year with IBM to work toward that goal. Yum Brands’ Taco Bell and Restaurant Brands International’s Burger King have been building double drive-thru lanes at some locations to allow customers to pick up their digital orders more quickly. Fast-casual chains like Shake Shack and Sweetgreen that once balked at drive-thru lanes have been adding them.

Financial terms of Panera’s agreement with OpenCity weren’t disclosed.

Panera Bread Unveils Next

A double-drive thru takes center stage.

Like many quick-service chains across America, Panera Bread finds itself at a COVID-19 crossroads. The need to court and remove friction from an off-premises swell, yet also the desire to guard the gathering-place DNA its long differentiated against.

This meeting of two camps led Panera to create a fresh design, dubbed the Next-Gen Café, which makes key changes on both fronts, and tries to combine them in ways Panera hasnt attempted before.

Built with strategic design firm ChangeUp, it includes enhanced digital, personalized operations, as well expanded more drive-thru access. However, the brand is still betting on dine-in, Panera said. And so theres comfortable seating around the fireplace and a focus on the chains craft bakery experience.

Innovation is core to who we are and with our new next-generation Panera concept, we are doing what weve always donekeeping a personalized experience for the guest at the heart of everything we do, said Eduardo Luz, chief brand and concept officer, in a statement. Were doubling down on what has always made Panera uniquecreating human connection through caring associates and a warm, inviting environment filled with the smell of freshly baked breadwhile continuing to be a leader in digital access for the off-premises world.

The Next-Gen unit will debut November in Ballwin, Missouri, right outside of the chains hometown of St. Louis.

Some updates:

read more

Don’t Miss: How To Make Flaky Pie Crust

Panera Bread Opens First Next

Paneras new next-generation bakery-cafe doubles down on drive-thru while enhancing dine-in warmth and digital guest experience

St. Louis, MO Panera, a leader and innovator in the fast-casual restaurant segment, today opened the first bakery-cafe featuring its next-generation restaurant design in Ballwin, MO. As the brand that introduced fast casual to the industry, Panera is redefining its experience to serve todays guest in an increasingly off-premise world. The new restaurant design features a modern and revitalized dine-in experience around its signature fireplace coupled with enhanced digital, personalized options, and dual drive-thru access.

Our new bakery-cafe is designed with the best of what makes Panera unique a warm, inviting environment that delights our guests, and the smell of freshly baked bread coupled with tech-enabled convenience, said Eduardo Luz, Chief Brand & Concept Officer, Panera Bread. Were proud to launch this new design just outside of our hometown of St. Louis in fact, we couldnt think of a better place to showcase our vision for the future than the place where we started.

The Panera next-generation bakery-café features the following main updates:

Panera worked with leading brand design agency ChangeUp to design the next-generation Panera restaurant concept. For more information or to place an order, download the Panera app or visit www.panerabread.com.

About Panera Bread

Media Contact:

Major Fast Casual Chains Trial A New Strategy To Compete With Mcdonald’s Going Full Fast Food Despite The Stigma

Panera Bread

UNITED STATES

Im a late 90s baby, a Millennial and Gen Z hybrid, which means if I can avoid interacting with another human as much as possiblethats the route Ill be taking, every time. While this would have limited me and my Millenial-Z fam to only dining out at fast food chains 30 to 40 years ago, times have changed and so has the restaurant sector.

Fast casual chains in particular are embracing drive thrus and the ease of convenience they provide consumers. This move not only positions many major chains, like Chipotle and Panera, in direct competition with fast food giants, like McDonalds, but also exhibit a major shift in the perception of quickly assembled food.

Bloombergrecently reported that drive-thrus, a mid-20th century fast-food innovation, are being borrowed by many fast casual chains, despite years of differentiating themselves from the likes of McDonald’s.

Fast-casuals are looking at it and saying, Hey, thats where the consumer is going and we need to be there, Paneras Chief Growth and Strategy Officer Dan Wegiel said. Historically, there was some trepidation, but now drive thrus are absolutely a significant boost to our overall sales.

Specifically, Panera has implemented drive thrus in 40 percent of its 2,100 locations, according to the news source. And, this number will only continue to rise over the next couple of years.

Arguably, it will be the fastest way to get Chipotlegoing through the Chipotlane, said Chipotle’s CEO Brian Niccol.

Recommended Reading: Nothing Bundt Cakes Discount Code

Panera Bread To Intensify Drive

Catering sales and new menu item rollouts continue to contribute to revenue, same-store sales growth.

Feb. 9, 2012 | by Valerie Killifer Editor, FastCasual.com

Fast casual chains have increasingly embraced the drive-thru model as way to build sales and elevate the customer experience. To continue down this path, Panera Bread Company has plans to extend the number of locations with drive-thru lanes by 50 this year.

At the end of 2011, the company had 119 locations with drive-thru and plans to add another 50 in 2012. Over the past two years, the company has retrofitted 37 restaurants by adding drive-thru lanes, and has plans to retrofit another 25 this year, said CEO Bill Moreton.

Moreton addressed the issue of drive-thru expansion during the company’s Q4 and year-end conference call, Feb. 8.

Moreton said the addition of drive-thru lanes is part of the company’s continual investment back into the chain, and is part of an overall strategy pinpointed to also enhance its menu offerings and MyPanera loyalty program.

Sales of the company’s panini sandwiches have increased 16 percent since the rollout of a new panini grill in the first quarter of 2011. Sales of the company’s hot breakfast line also increased 15 percent in 2011. In the first quarter, Panera Bread launched its new Mediterranean Egg White Breakfast Sandwich and has plans to debut a new roasted turkey cranberry Panini later this year.

Loyalty program

Revenue, same-store sales, net income

Catering

Sometimes Panera Employees Need To Ignore Ticket Times For Their Own Sanity

Panera is often criticized for their prices, which are higher than other traditional fast-food offerings. This isn’t typically reflected in employee wages, though. The average salary for a cashier is around $10 per hour, which some workers have deemed not anywhere near enough for the level of stress the job entails. If your order comes out slowly, it could truly be an instance of getting what management is willing to pay for especially if they’re only paying for a single person to oversee the drive-thru.

As one employee advised an anxious drive-thru worker on Reddit, “Don’t worry about window times. If they want to low-ball labor there, point out you’re doing it all yourself. You’re not paid enough to do the work of 3-4 people. If Karen gets mad, boohoo.” Another employee admitted that the key to surviving a solo shift is to ignore drive-thru ticket times despite managements overarching wishes: “Toss that s**t out the window,” they said.

It’s true: if you’re swamped and making around minimum wage, what’s the real incentive for breaking your back to get out speedy orders?

You May Like: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Nonstick Pie Dish

We Tested The Ia Drive

We visited the Webster Panera drive-thru Aug. 31 but found that the technology wasnt available.

A company spokesperson said it had been used earlier in the week and that some stops and starts were to be expected during the launch.

We then drove to the Greece Panera, where the system was up and running, and were greeted by a sign reading, A new drive-thru experience: automated voice ordering.

Sounding more human than robot, Tori introduced herself and took our order a half a Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sandwich. She told us it came with a baguette on the side. Having been to Panera a time or two, we asked to substitute in a bag of chips, and Tori was unfazed.

She didnt give us a total we got that from a friendly worker at the window.

The order was correct, and with five cars ahead of us, we spent a total of 12 minutes in line.

What Else Is Panera Doing To Improve Food Safety During Coronavirus

Panera Bread Drive-Thru, Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Noodle Soup, N PebbleCreek Pkwy, Goodyear, AZ

Given our current situation, we’ve taken several important steps to enhance cleaning protocols and safe food delivery. Some of these measures include:

  • Re-emphasizing sanitation and illness policies with our associates.
  • Enhancing cleaning and sanitizing protocols at our bakery-cafes.
  • Increasing frequency of cleaning and additional peroxide solution cleaning in high-touchpoint locations.
  • Developing procedures to determine associate fitness to return to work after personal travel.
  • Restricting associate business travel by air and rail.
  • Adding hand sanitizer stands in all bakery-cafes over the coming weeks.
  • Adding antimicrobial covers for Fast Lane Kiosks as they arrive.
  • Implementing an emergency PTO policy to ensure associates who are not feeling well can stay home.
  • Sealing shut orders for delivery, drive-thru, and Rapid Pick-Up to further protect your meal.

For more details and updates on measures were taking, you can see our official . This page will be updated as new details and regulations emerge.

Don’t Miss: Nothing Bundt Cakes Katy Tx

Mcdonalds Popeyes Also Testing Ai Drive

Panera isnt the only fast-food brand turning to AI in hopes of increasing efficiency. At least one Louisiana Popeyes has pressed Tori into service. And last year, McDonalds, Checkers and Rallys began testing other voice-ordering bots at some drive-thrus, which have surged in popularity because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Checkers and Rallys reported that its voice assistant was 98% accurate in taking drive-thru orders and did not need restaurant employees to intervene. Whats more, it wasn’t thrown off by different customer accents, Forbes reported in January.

That is something Jamison Heard, an assistant professor at RITs Kate Gleason College of Engineering, cited as a potential challenge for AI systems in general, which tend to be designed for what he called normal conditions.

OpenCity claims that Tori has an accuracy rate of 99.9%.

While some fast-food chains have struggled with pandemic-related labor shortages, the Panera spokesperson said the company does not expect staffing levels to be affected by the addition of Tori, which is not Paneras first foray into automation. Earlier this year, it began testing the Miso Robotics CookRight Coffee system, which uses AI to monitor coffee volume and temperature, CNBC reported in April.

A similar thing might occur with fast food chains, he said.

Food Plans While Social Distancing

With the current steps people are taking to practice social distancing, getting food in the safest way possible provides a logistical challenge.

We are committed to continuing to provide you service as safely as we can. For those who are able to stock-up and do more cooking from home, you can read our article on r.

Don’t Miss: Omni Parker House Hotel Boston Cream Pie

Sometimes The Panera Drive

Not all of Panera Bread’s cafes function in the same way. Though the drive-thru is incredibly hectic, and employees are often forced to take on numerous roles, some busier Panera restaurants are better at delegating tasks. Some locations put an employee specifically at the drive-thru window, where they’re only responsible for collecting money and handing out orders. They serve as more of a cashier than a cook, and it’s actually one of the easiest jobs in the entire joint.

As one anonymous employee told Reddit, ” is honestly the easiest job in the store next to Dining Room. You just get people’s money and give their food. Be prepared for a quicker pace back there though … and check the food and make sure it’s accurate as well.”

The employee also claimed that it only takes about 20 minutes for someone to get acquainted with the job after being transferred from a different role. That doesn’t sound too bad.

Workers Reveal What It’s Really Like Working At A Panera Drive

Panera Bread

Panera Bread burst onto the scene in 1987 and has since expanded to more than 2,000 different locations while amassing 28 million members into its loyalty program and blessing us with the mortal sin of bread-sliced bagels. As New Yorkers clutched their pearls, the midwestern-bred fast casual chain went viral for their innovation. Sure, nobody asked for it, but we got it anyway.

Over the years, people have ragged on Panera for marketing itself as a healthier fast food option, especially because some of the menu items are flash-frozen and reheated . Nonetheless, the chain still appears to have a cult following, particularly when it comes to their often copied but never duplicated broccoli and cheddar soup bread bowls. How do they do it? You’d have to ask their employees.

Panera is responsible for employing more than 40,000 people, who have happily spilled the chain’s secrets on the Internet. By now, we’ve already figured out what it’s like to work at the fast food giant, but what about the drive-thru? According to employees, this part of the chain is notoriously hectic, with slow lines, despite that the company has been aggressively expanding their drive-thru capabilities for about a decade. So, how are the employees fairing? Here’s what it’s really like to work the Panera Bread drive-thru.

Recommended Reading: Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Panera Bread Expands Its Drive

Panera Bread fans might shudder at the idea of calling the pastries, sandwiches and salads fast food. But that’s just what the bakery and cafe wants to accomplish with the addition of drive-throughs at some of its locations.

On Wednesday, the chain opens its first drive-through restaurant in Tampa, at 3420 W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. just north of Raymond James Stadium.

Panera decided to put a drive-through at the newly constructed building because of its proximity to St. Joseph’s Hospital, residential neighborhoods and other large employers. And doesn’t an Asiago cheese bagel and cup of hazelnut coffee sound pretty good before a Bucs game?

A ribbon cutting is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday during which officials will present a check to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Heart Center for $20,000. Regular hours will be from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Tampa Bay’s first drive-through Panera opened a year ago in Port Richey at 9405 U.S. 19, across from the Gulf View Square Mall, and became an instant hit among moms with kids in the minivan and workers in a hurry.

Offering customers the convenience of staying inside their cars puts Panera more in line with McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A and other more traditional fast-food chains that have peppered their menus with new salads, gourmet sandwiches and other fresh food menu items.

Panera Tests New Ai Technology For Bakery

Panera guests in Webster and Greece, NY will be among the first to experience AI Ordering in Drive-Thru

ST. LOUIS—-Beginning today, Panera Bread begins testing AI technology in drive-thru lanes with an aim to improve and enhance the guest experience. With support from OpenCity, select Panera bakery-cafes in the greater Rochester, NY area have implemented OpenCitys proprietary voice AI ordering technology, called Tori, for drive-thru orders, with the goal of maximizing efficiency and increasing speed of orders. Guests at Panera Bread cafes in Greece, NY and Webster, NY are the first Panera locations to experience this drive-thru innovation.

Tori is installed at these select locations and will take orders as normal at the drive-thru speaker, with Panera associates on standby to assist if needed to troubleshoot any issues. Drive-thru guests can pull up to their Panera drive-thru, place their order as usual with assistance from Tori and pay the Panera associate for their favorite menu items at the drive-thru window. The addition of this technology at the drive-thru will help to cut down wait times, improve order accuracy and allow associates to focus on freshly preparing guests orders.

In addition to drive-thru, Panera Bread has a wide variety of tech-forward ordering options including Contactless Dine-In, Curbside, Rapid Pick-Up® and Delivery so guests can order their Panera favorites when they want and how they want them.

About Panera Bread

About OpenCity

You May Like: Lobster Pot Pie Harry And David

Popular Recipes

More Recipes Like This