Home of the infamous bread bowls, mac and cheese, broccoli cheddar soup and 1000+ calories per meal, Panera is the most convenient, go-to food location. Here's to everyone who has worked or currently works at the motherland of bread and things we all know a little TOO well.
1. You own more colored polos than underwear.
You have more colors than exist in the rainbow. It's truly a life or death situation when it comes to picking out which color polo to wear. You spend more time picking out which shirt you want than actually getting ready for work.
2. The struggle of trying to look cute in the green apron and denim hat.
Nearly impossible.
3. You've burned something at least once.
We're all guilty of forgetting to set the timer when putting something in the oven or accidentally burning a bagel in the toaster. It's something that happens to even the best of us.
4. When you have to tell a customer you ran out of baguettes.
Hearing customer's make jokes "How could Panera BREAD run out of bread??" really gets on your nerves... or better yet you just LOVE when a customer completely cancels their entire order because we don't have the tiny side piece of bread (even though we have other side options).
5. How you feel explaining you pick 2 to somebody.
I promise it's really not that complicated. You just get half of two items on the menu. No, you may not pick three things that would be called a "you pick 3 not you pick 2."
6. and how you feel telling a customer we stop serving breakfast at 11.
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No, I'm sorry just because you walked in at 11:05 does not mean you can still order breakfast. We shut out egg cooker off and clean up at 11. Get here earlier next time.
7. You laugh a little every time you hear a customer mispronounce a menu item.
Quinoa, Focaccia, Ciabatta, Asiago, or my personal favorite Jalapeño.
8. When a customer walks in at 9:28 pm and demands decaf coffee.
Being that you're a regular customer and are well aware of that fact that we close at 9:30 please, I BEG YOU, come in at least at 9:15 and demand the coffee....I will admit I am guilty of serving them light roast once or twice because that was the kind of night I was having.
9. You live for your discount.
50 percent off the overpriced food... can't get better than that. Even better when you get a manager meal.
10. Looking busy when your manager walks by.
I am more than guilty of grabbing a broom and pretending to sweep even though we all know I'm literally just standing holding the broom. Even my managers have caught on to my scheme...whoops.
11. Accidentally forgetting to ask if a customer has a Panera card
I apologize it was truly a mistake. It wasn't my intention to forget to ask about your card. Don't worry you can still enter your points online even though I know you won't and trust me it doesn't matter that I forgot to enter your card number because your card probably isn't even registered.
12. Putting your own Panera card in when a customer doesn't have their own.
I mean why not rack up all the points that you can!!! One step closer to that free and well deserved you pick 2.
13. Standing in front of the oven when you're cold.
For some unknown reason Panera is kept at an extremely low temperature and you go to extreme measures to stay warm. It's all fun and games standing in front of the oven to stay warm until your shoes begin to melt... whoops.
14. How we all feel at bread bash.
Having to show up to work after hours for a meeting that could be sent out in an email blast is a pure waste of time, but I guess trying new menu items is worth it... NOT.
15. As Much as you complain, you kind of enjoy it.
Nothing beats coming home smelling like a combination of broccoli cheddar, burnt bagels and chocolate chip cookies. It's not the job that you enjoy, it's some of the great people you work with who make your shifts a lot more enjoyable. You've met some of the best people you'll ever meet... and definitely some of the worst, but you wouldn't trade it for the world... well maybe you would (most likely).
