Zuppa's is head and shoulders above Panera. The only thing they have in common is they serve salads, soups, and sandwiches. Pick two? So many restaurants offer the soup and/or salad and/or sandwich combo. Zuppa's serves fresh homemade soups with more offerings than Panera including two daily specials. They are made on the premises. Not premade at a plant and poured into a serving canteen like Panera. Delicious salads and sandwiches. Interesting sides such as mac and cheese and baked beans. And the daily cannolies....!!! I took my daughter there today. She had a bowl of minestrone and I had the spicy shrimp and corn chowder. We shared an eggplant parmesan panini. She was impressed! Portions are a nice size compared to Panera with its ever shrinking soup bowl. Does anyone remember the size of a soup bowl when Panera first opened?! And Zuppa's is NOT more expensive than Panera.
What would I change? Location. Getting in and out of the crowded small lot can be annoying and dangerous. Also, a better layout of the dining area. There are two separate doorways in which you can enter. Many tables are right smack in front of these doors. During this time of the year, it's cold in the dining area. There are only a few tables tucked in the back. Could be a little cozier.