Introduction
Are you a fan of Panera Bread? If so, you may be surprised to learn that there are some secrets that the company doesn’t want you to know. From hidden menu items to the truth about their ingredients, this article will reveal 11 secrets that Panera Bread doesn’t want you to know. Read on to find out what you should know before you next visit your local Panera Bread.
11 Secrets Panera Bread Doesn’t Want You to Know
Panera Bread is one of the most popular fast-casual restaurants in the United States. But there are some secrets that the company doesn’t want you to know. Here are 11 of them.
1. The Bread Is Not Always Fresh
Panera Bread prides itself on its fresh-baked bread, but the truth is that the bread is not always fresh. The company often uses frozen dough that is thawed and baked in-store. This means that the bread may not be as fresh as you think.
2. The Soup Is Not Always Fresh
Just like the bread, the soup at Panera Bread is not always fresh. The company often uses frozen soup that is heated up in-store. This means that the soup may not be as fresh as you think.
3. The Salads Are Not Always Fresh
The salads at Panera Bread are not always fresh either. The company often uses pre-packaged salads that are just heated up in-store. This means that the salads may not be as fresh as you think.
4. The Coffee Is Not Always Fresh
The coffee at Panera Bread is not always fresh either. The company often uses pre-ground coffee that is just heated up in-store. This means that the coffee may not be as fresh as you think.
5. The Pastries Are Not Always Fresh
The pastries at Panera Bread are not always fresh either. The company often uses frozen pastries that are just heated up in-store. This means that the pastries may not be as fresh as you think.
6. The Sandwiches Are Not Always Fresh
The sandwiches at Panera Bread are not always fresh either. The company often uses pre-made sandwiches that are just heated up in-store. This means that the sandwiches may not be as fresh as you think.
7. The Dressings Are Not Always Fresh
The dressings at Panera Bread are not always fresh either. The company often uses pre-made dressings that are just heated up in-store. This means that the dressings may not be as fresh as you think.
8. The Ingredients Are Not Always Fresh
The ingredients used in Panera Bread’s dishes are not always fresh either. The company often uses pre-packaged ingredients that are just heated up in-store. This means that the ingredients may not be as fresh as you think.
9. The Prices Are Not Always Fair
The prices at Panera Bread are not always fair either. The company often charges more for certain items than they are worth. This means that you may be paying more than you should for your meal.
10. The Food Is Not Always Healthy
The food at Panera Bread is not always healthy either. The company often uses high-calorie ingredients and adds extra sugar and fat to their dishes. This means that the food may not be as healthy as you think.
11. The Service Is Not Always Good
The service at Panera Bread is not always good either. The company often has long wait times and unhelpful staff. This means that the service may not be as good as you think.
When you’re craving something that feels a little fresher and healthier than a deli sandwich or fast food, but still quick, you might find yourself steering to Panera Bread. With its mix and match options of soups, salads, and sandwiches, it’s become a lunchtime staple across the country.
But, is Panera as fresh and healthy as it seems, or do secret calories and other issues lurk in its signature sandwiches and savory soups? Here are a few secrets the chain probably doesn’t want to know. Plus, read on to find out how to score free treats and which dishes to avoid. (Plus, check out 11 Secrets Texas Roadhouse Doesn’t Want You to Know.)
According to a former employee posting on Reddit, “All our soups are indeed made fresh, but they’re frozen into giant blocks and then dropped into a fridge-like box of really hot water to defrost them.” This is honestly not unhealthy or unusual, but if you expected fresh soup, be advised! Also, another former employee suggests ordering soup after the 11 am rush since yesterday’s thawed soup is used first.
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When you walk in and smell that bread baking, it’s hard not to imagine bakers in the kitchen mixing up delightful creations. Well, that’s not quite how it works, says a former Panera employee on Reddit, who wrote, “I do really bake the bread. The bread is just mixed at a big factory and then transported to us every night/morning, so we can let it rise.” The pastries are delivered frozen and baked on-site.
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If you’re dining in at Panera, the money-saving move is to always order a small drink. The chain offers free refills, so you can take your small cup back to the soda fountain and many times as you like.
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When you’re shelling out your hard-earned money for a meal, you want to make the most of it, and The Krazy Koupon Lady has a great hack. She suggests adding all the free toppings that are available to your favorite sandwich, check out your nearest Panera website but options include common toppings like red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and greens plus some super-flavorful additions like basil, cilantro, frizzled onions, and pickled red onions. Be aware that certain veggies, like avocado, cost extra, so be sure to ask when ordering. Another exciting sandwich option for less than $1 is Parmesan crisps.
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Are you on a plant-based diet, or just trying to cut back on meat? While there are some great veggie options on the menu, there’s also a pro-level Panera hack—you can swap avocado for meat on any sandwich for no extra charge.
RELATED: The #1 Worst Bagel to Order at Panera Bread, Dietitian Says
While getting the wrong salad or sandwich is annoying, their mistake is your treat. According to Spoon University, if your order is wrong, you’ll likely be offered a free treat on your next visit when you let them know (nicely) how your order was messed up.
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If you’re a regular at Panera for their soft and chewy bagels, and you love their flavored cream cheese, consider picking up an 8-ounce tub you can keep at home or work for just $2.99. You’ll save about a buck on every bagel, and you can cut back on calories by using a lighter touch.
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If you’re hungry, you should know that when you order your Panera soup in a bread bowl, you’re only getting a cup of actual soup. For a little extra, says The Krazy Koupon Lady, order the bread bowl without soup and get a bowl of soup—which is a full 12 ounces of soup—and just pour it in yourself.
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Just remember, before you order your creamy soup served in (or adjacent to) a bread bowl, that a bread bowl will add 670 calories and 1160 milligrams of sodium to your meal. Considering the famous broccoli cheddar soup already has 840 milligrams of sodium, you might want to reconsider. In fact, a former employee revealed their manager once pulled them aside and advised them to never recommend soup to the elderly since the sodium content was far too high.
RELATED: ‘Healthy’ Foods With More Sodium Than French Fries, Says Science
You can transform this veggie sandwich, which is filled with peppadew peppers, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber into a vegan option by swapping out the tomato basil bread for the chain’s black pepper focaccia and taking out the feta cheese, says Today.com. For a bonus, by ditching the feta you’ll get less sodium, as 2 tablespoons of feta contain about 600 milligrams. Add in some avocado or kale to fill it out!
Now that you know the Panera soup is just reheated, why not try your hand at making the soup for a fraction of the price? We’ve got a great recipe you can try. You can also grab one of the recipes for their famous mac and cheese from all over the internet, or just buy a container of soup from the nearest grocery store and heat it up yourself.
Read more secrets about your favorite spots to eat:
11 Secrets Arby’s Doesn’t Want You to Know
8 Secrets Burger King Doesn’t Want You to Know
15 Secrets McDonald’s Employees Don’t Want You to Know