Part 8/15:
The company also confronted data breaches in 2024, leaking sensitive employee and customer information, which led to a $2.5 million settlement and ongoing reputational damage.
Eroding Trust and Changing Customer Expectations
Longtime fans lament that Panera no longer offers the generous portions and freshness it once did. Many report that bread is scarce, and menu items, once hearty and satisfying, now feel insubstantial. The shift toward more indulgent dishes—mac and cheese, French dips—has muddled the brand’s health-oriented identity.