Ah, Panera. The one(s) we all know and love. Your mac and cheese, You Pick 2, muffies, and broccoli cheddar soup are to die for. Here's an ode to all of those who have worked, or currently work, at a Panera, and some things you're sure to be all too familiar with.
1. Completing your passport.
No, not the one you use to fly to a different country. The one that lists every single menu item, all of which you're supposed to taste ASAP so you can describe them to customers.
2. Your closet is filled with khakis and an array of colored polos.
Seriously. Every shade of every color in the rainbow.
3. When you're scheduled to open.
Getting to work at 5 a.m. is just as fun as it sounds.
4. The amount of times you've heard, "Is there fresh coffee?"
New pots have to be brewed every hour. You'd think people wouldn't notice when the times have expired two minutes ago. They do.
5. "Would you like bread, apple, or chips on the side?"
No, "breadapple" isn't an option. Neither is "applechips".
6. Getting the employee discount.
Suddenly, you're everyone's best friend.
7. When you have to tell customers you're out of baguettes.
It's like you just told them their dog died. Or there's your typical jokester: "How could you run out of bread? It's Panera Bread!" Ha. Ha. Haven't heard that one before.
8. Watching people sneak soda in the free water cups.
You really think I didn't see that? Or that I care?
9. When a family walks in at 9:58 p.m. and orders full meals -- for here.
Later on, they see you cleaning and ask, "Oh, are you guys closing soon?"
10. Hearing people mispronounce the names of the bread options.
Asiago. Focaccia. Ciabatta. The list is endless.
11. Having to explain a You Pick 2 to a customer.
"So, can I get a bowl of soup and a whole sandwich in that?"
12. "Do you have a MyPanera card?"
Follow-up for those who forgot it (seemingly everyone): "I can look it up by phone number."
13. When you see a line of teenage girls and can predict their orders.
Don't forget the smoothies- extra whipped cream.
14. Trying to look halfway decent while wearing a beige visor.
The most awesome employees have pins to jazz it up.
15. Being stuck closing dining room.
Having to start at 7 p.m. in order to finish cleaning relatively close to on time.
16. Bread bash.
A.k.a. closing the store an hour early, chatting with your fave co-workers, and tasting all of the new products before they're released.
17. Walking into the BOH and seeing the mountains of dirty dishes.
Nothing like seeing unidentifiable chunks of food and towering stacks of those light green plastic trays.
18. Getting to see your awesome co-workers who help you get through it all.
At the end of the day, I've got to thank you, Pbread, for allowing me to get to know some of my favorite people and close friends! I couldn't have done it without them.
