Panera Bread - Rocklin

I won’t give a low star rating because I’ve had great experiences at this place in the past, but my recent visit was disappointing. I ordered an earthy lemon mint loaded lemonade, and it was far too strong—I couldn't even drink it. I know how things should taste, and this wasn’t it. Then I opened my sandwich and was shocked by how it looked! My food came out really quickly, but I’m not sure if it was due to new staff or something else. Honestly, I’d prefer to wait a little longer for a properly made sandwich and drink rather than have them both turn out so poorly.

This review is about a staff member who brightens my mornings. Anna is incredibly sweet and always maintains a wonderful demeanor; she truly is a gem. I've been fortunate to have her assist me with my orders several times, and her lovely attitude never disappoints.

The service tends to be hit or miss; sometimes it's better, sometimes worse. I believe this may be due to the fact that many employees are young and may be new to the workforce, so they are still learning the ropes of customer service. Thankfully, I've never experienced particularly bad service at this restaurant. The biggest drawback of this location is the way orders are handled. Customers must queue at the front counter or use the kiosks, which can lead to delays when it gets crowded. Even with a full staff, it seems nearly impossible to fulfill orders in a reasonable timeframe during busy moments. This appears to be more of a systemic issue with Panera's operations than a reflection of the employees' abilities, who often seem overwhelmed. I've been visiting this Panera for years, as it’s one of the easiest dining options in my area. Overall, the experiences have been mostly positive, with only a few mediocre outings.