"Let's not beat around the bush: Panera Bread has had a rough time of it lately. Even one-time loyal customers will probably agree that there are some things that you should just avoid ordering when you do go to Panera, and honestly, it's a surprisingly long list. That's not a great look for any restaurant, but it wasn't always this way."
"Right, so let's just come out swinging with the thing that many, many Panera customers say was an incredibly bizarre and - let's be honest - asinine move. In spite of the fact that freshly-baked bread was a major draw that the chain built its popularity on, it was confirmed in early 2025 that, yes, in-store bread production was out, outside bakeries were in, and it's safe to say that the move had everyone scratching their collective heads."
Panera Bread has shifted away from several defining practices, prompting customer disappointment and nostalgia for earlier operations. The chain confirmed in early 2025 that in-store bread production was discontinued in favor of outside bakeries. Former Panera bakers posted termination letters on Reddit and customers shared disappointing photos and critiques of new bakery goods. Menu changes and perceived declines in quality have expanded a list of items customers advise avoiding. Panera previously occupied a unique casual-food niche with a focus on clean ingredients, but many patrons now view the current brand as noticeably different from the original experience.
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