Panera Bread NOT USER FRIENDLY

I have the exact opposite experience with Panera in Calvert County MD. They treat me like family so I am in and out of there between appointments sometimes once or twice a day. Starbucks, too. They are fantastic here.

How funny to me all of these comments on sitting in Starbucks and Panera.  I guess I am way too ADD to to do this.  I would never try to work in these places.  I guess my first thought is that I would see people I know constantly, but perhaps that would be a good past client connection time, but not a wi-fi connection time!

Mimi: Being a past owner of a business with WiFi hotspot I understand both sides of this. Panera Bread I am sure does not want to run off the people that actually buy lunch and use wifi. The problem becomes the people that come in set up order water and take up paying customers tables. Yes they could be shooting themselves in the foot but they still have wonderful food and I have never had a bad experience in Panera myself. I use a wifi key so I don't have this problem.

I too have used Panera Bread for meeting clients or for a change of scenery. I believe our local ones have a two hr. limit which is reasonable. Starbucks and Caribou are my favorites. Since i always spend a minimum of 7 to 12 bucks and more for longer stretches I don't feel guilty. I do see many people come in and not buy anything yet take up big tables, and hog the outlets. Since I am a regular at a few locations the staff is aware of those that come in and will ask those that are over staying and not buying to share or change table with the paying customers. The coffee places are more understanding than the full service Panera because they are selling an environment as well as coffee. You just have to be polite and share or leave when its very busy and you have stayed several hours

I've only been to Panera Bread once and was not impressed but that was many years ago. I would be very disappointed if I went to any resturant that didn't make free WiFi as a part of the benefits only to find that it is croweded with web surfers taking up space for hours eliminating the use of others from buying and/or being services. However, I also feel that Panera Bread should post the usage limits to the WiFi so a choice can be made.

You would think that they would want you to have at least an hour then maybe ask if you want to continue, and offer a coupon for a discount if you eat something instead of kicking you out.  makes no sense.

Mimi, unfortunately these places don't make much money on people who buy one cup of coffee and spend all day taking up a table using their free Wi-Fi. They should probably increase the 30-minute though.

I don't think I have ever been booted out of a Wifi network before. It's too bad that they do that. Wifi, these day are available almost anywhere. Even McD has it. Wifi will be one of those extra value provided.

wow, Panera was always my favorite place to park myself for an afternoon of quiet PC work but it has been a while since I have done that...........a half hour? I am going to have to check our local Panera to see if that is across the board or only out there............I hate Starbucks, so that won't happen!

I can understand putting on some wi-fi limits but 30 minutes is ridiculous!  And they should definitely give you a warning.  I can completely relate about needing to get away to think/write...with two kids, a husband who works from home, and a wonderful but non-stop talking mom in the house, not to mention the demanding yet darling dog.  The local coffee shop is a refuge at times.  A latte and a laptop can be lifesavers!

Oh my goodness! How aggravating, especially considering the fact you were in serious need of some "me" writing time. I do feel for Panera though...it seems they must feel they are losing business if they have institutes this policy. If you are buying food and not hogging table time that hold up other paying customers who are looking for a place to sit that is one thing....but as you said this is a quiet location so it doesn't sound as if they were losing business. Hmmm. I wonder how they can better regulate their wifi access to make it fair. Glad you were able to switch gears and head to Starbucks instead. Happy writing! :)

I have read both posts and glad to see the friendly give and take. I guess Panera did what it had to do to accommodate more business, but it would seem that when it is not crowded, they can make an adjustment.

That's pretty funny! I had no idea that they limit your air time. Get an iPad and forget about that network stufff. I don't connect to them anyway.

Thanks for saving me a trip!!

Dear Mimi -

You and Katerina demonstrate the best of ActiveRain - being able to discuss from different points of view and be respectful of each other at the same time. Great examples!  Thanks to both of you!

Have a happy day -
Lynn

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2520862/okay-you-hear-me-talk-about-my-southern-maryland-starbucks-and-panera-jeep-ride-all-the-time- I had this post in drafts saved up to post later this week. I love my local Panera and Starbucks!

Mimi -- I am sorry that you had such a bad experience.  My mother, wife and I went to Panera on a Sunday recently, and in the time it took to get them seated, and go get the drinks -- our food was already there on the table by the time I got back.

I share your pain!  There are several Panera Breads in my area.  It is a love hate relationship. The wifi is a serious joke, 30 minutes really, it is so slow you can load maybe 1-2 pages, forget getting any work done.  There is a Kinko's near the Panera I like the most and you can access their unlimited wifi and sometimes get a workable speed as well.  The Panera wifi's are slow enough it drives meetings to other places if there will be a need for reliable wifi access.  Sure at lunch time you are lucky to find a table and they don't want a bunch of road warriors taking all the tables.  

I have worked at Panera or met clients there but don't recall having the 30 minute restriction.  But I will be more aware next time I visit.