Zeev's Turnips Patch-No Politics (ZEEV)

[marketmaven]

PNRA- Problems Looming as SSComps Go Negative
(Bloggers point out some other issues, too)
http://truckandbarter.com/mt/archives/000290.html
- Oh, and McDonalds's adding WiFi and may not use the Sonic FireWall that blocks STMP access, etc.

Panera is a wonderful place with great pastries, rich coffee, good music, wireless net, etc.. There's only one problem: the bread. That instant puff-up rising technique they use--the bread goes from water and flour to the final baking in under 30 mins, and the first rise takes only a few minutes--just can't compared to the real thing. You can taste it. The bread strikes me as wet and gummy and lacking in anything resembling a genuine home made quality. And yet it probably beats most commercial varieties. In any case, you are certainly right that it is a great place. It came to Auburn and immediately four competing coffee shops installed wi-fi.

Posted by: Jeffrey
I live outside of St. Louis and work for a virtual company, so I spend a lot of time at the St. Louis Bread company as well. And I used to work in Northern Virginia and I spend a lot of time at Panera. Lunch 2-3 times a week.

A couple thoughts:

(1) I have to assume they have management issues. This may sound like a "little" thing, but I applied for a job as their director of marketing and it took them almost six months to send me a postcard saying they had received my resume. It makes you wonder if they run their other departments like HR.

(2) When a Panera's opened a store in Northern Virginia, it was right next to Starbucks, the lines went out the door during lunch. You didn't have a problem getting a table at Starbucks. This begs the question if Panera has a strategy of opening shop next to Starbucks. I've done a lot of research on Starbucks, I admire what they've done. And the reason Starbucks cooks no food on-site is that the branding experience is all about coffee, including the smell. A burnt bagel would harm said experience. Because Starbucks food is average at best (and way to expensive) I have to feel Panera would have an advantage in being next to Starbuck stores.

(3) Where is Panera's advertising? I think a lot of people don't know what Panera's has to offer. My father was over a few weeks ago helping me w/ some stuff around the house. I suggested we grab a sandwich, he suggested Quiznos. I suggested Panera. He was amazed by the quality of the food.

(4) I also don't feel like Panera's has differentited themselves from the competition. Heck, if you can stomach it go to Hardee's. I mean they are actually promoting that they have a "Six Dollar" burger. Lunch at Panera's is about the same price. Which you would rather have? Panera's food is better, their coffee is above average, it is a "cozy" environment, and it is clean. I think they need to tell people this stuff.