Part 6/15:
Despite the brand's upward trajectory, internal and external issues started surfacing. Critics pointed out a decline in food quality, with some claiming that the freshness and flavor of baked goods had suffered. Prices rose sharply, with breakfast sandwiches hitting around $7 and bread bowls approaching $10—prices that many felt were no longer justified by portion sizes or quality.
Moreover, Panera’s reliance on shelf-stable, frozen bread rather than freshly baked loaves began to erode its reputation. Formerly a bakery-first operation, the chain reduced its focus on baking in-store, shifting to centrally prepared dough, which many customers deemed inferior.