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| - It may seem pointless to review a restaurant as ubiquitous as Panera, but I'll weigh in since I've been using a local PBC as a hangout to enjoy plentiful coffee and wifi during some recent vacation time.
Panera has executed a winning formula and they've found the magic spot, IMO. They've got the two things that make an attractive hangout to me: DIY coffee refills and easy/reliable wifi. These two basics combine to make a nearly irresistible draw for me, and judging from the other regulars I see there, I'm not alone in feeling this way. Add to this their creative, diverse and evolving menu, and you've got a pretty reliable attraction.
I've always been the guy to resist carrying punch cards and participating in shopping memberships, but I confess that I now have a Panera mini-scan card on my key ring? Why? I use Panera a lot while around my home town, and I use it frequently when I travel, so I finally decided it would be worth it to explore their bonus programs. I know these things are designed to provide simple behavioral conditioning, and to set up a feedback/reward system that will keep you coming back. And you know what? It works. I love earning free bagels, or breakfast pastries, or a free cup of coffee.
I'm sold. Panera is doing a lot of things right. From offering mobile ordering from your phone (while already in the restaurant!), to easy table delivery, to staff bussing tables and keeping things tidy, they're doing it all, and doing it well. What's not to like?
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