Is it o.k. for Panera to be out of Bread Bowls?

[The Cabbage Man]

Originally Posted by zoid

But bread bowls can't cost more than a few pennies. I agree that roasting a huge hunk of beef is an investment, but really a dozen extra bread bowls can't cost more than $2.50, $3.50 tops. Having them on hand is probably worth the good will alone.

Everyone responding to this post ignored the the "good will" benefit, which is greater than most restaurant owners believe. Having customers dissatisfied with service or unable to have their order filled exactly will be discouraged from choosing that restaurant the next time, and others who hear about the incident will do the same.

[drunkanddirty]

I just called the local Panera. An empty bread bowl is $1.89. And they were out of them.

[dnooman]

Back to the OP, I imagine that almost nothing one can do at a single store can really affect the bread bowl shortage issue. Sure, the general manager may make an attempt at getting a few more made each day, but they are still restrained by the waste restrictions that all of them have to abide by. Corporate needs to know. Either they make available what they advertise, or they drop it from the menu.

What about a #OutofBreadBowls hashtag? If the issue is systemic and enough of an annoyance to people, it might take flight and catch the ear of someone who can actually affect a change in the system.

I'm not a Twitterer or tweeter or twatever else, but I can see how this could be more effective than any in-store actions could be.

[PunditLisa]

If there's no mechanism for capturing the amount of people who ordered bread bowls, only to be told that there are none left, a manager will never know he needs to adjust his bread bowl order. And the vicious cycle continues...

[Musicat]

Originally Posted by drunkanddirty

I just called the local Panera. An empty bread bowl is $1.89. And they were out of them.

That's why they're called "empty."

[Qwakkeddup]

Originally Posted by runner pat

Most likely, the health codes require a cleaning after a certain time interval.

Seconded by me, who had the pleasure of being trained on how to clean a shake machine while the shop was being inspected.
Manager/trainer was almost hysterical.

[heebie]

Bread bowls should be a must - especially if they offer them! Kinda like buying shoes without the shoe laces, or a fast food restaurant soda without the straw!!
Panera needs to fix it!!

Originally Posted by bienville

For those of you not familiar with Panera, here is a link to their website. Of course, if you're not familiar with it then you probably don't have a strong opinion to share.


I went to Panera today and ordered a bread bowl. As I put my order in, the food prep person called out to the order taker person that my order took the last bread bowl. No more bread bowls. Boy, did I breathe a sigh of relief. I would have been really sad not to get my bread bowl.

This did happen to me once before. Panera was out of bread bowls. I ordered soup in a non-edible bowl and got some bread on the side but it was a wholly disappointing experience.

I am sure there are people who consider themselves avid fans of Panera and yet have never ordered a bread bowl. There are lots of choices on the menu and if bread bowls just aren't your thing, they could be out of bread bowls and you'd never notice.

For me, the bread bowl is the reason I go to Panera. I get in my car and think to myself "Oh boy! I'm going to get tomato soup in a bread bowl!" So, for me, for Panera to be out of bread bowls is analogous to McDonalds being out of burgers.



What do the rest of you think? Panera being out of bread bowls:
Like McDonalds being out of burgers?
More like Subway being out of avocados?
Somewhere in between?

[heebie]

Good will benefit. Anytime I have a bad experience, I never return!

[dnooman]

Originally Posted by heebie

Bread bowls should be a must - especially if they offer them! Kinda like buying shoes without the shoe laces, or a fast food restaurant soda without the straw!!
Panera needs to fix it!!

No.

Read the rest of the thread. This issue has been addressed.

[dnooman]

Originally Posted by heebie

Good will benefit. Anytime I have a bad experience, I never return!

I agree with that sentiment, but what affect could your personal boycott it have?