Part 7/15:
Beyond quality and pricing concerns, Panera faced several legal issues threatening its image. Lawsuits ranged from allegations of violating labor laws, such as failing to pay overtime or discriminating based on race, to claims of negligence, like tampering with a customer's food after allergy warnings. Notably, in 2022, Panera faced tragic incidents linked to their high-caffeine “charged lemonade,” which caused the death of a college student and a middle-aged man with underlying health conditions. Although these deaths were not directly attributed to the drinks, the controversy damaged Panera’s health-conscious image and prompted product reformulation.