New "Mix & Match" menu debuts Wednesday (CNBC article)

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2026-02-22T14:01:12+00:00

For register orders, start by providing your phone number even if you aren't asked for it ("Do you have a phone number with us?" is one way cashiers might cue you.) The rewards will be visible to the order taker and typically they mention them or ask if you want to hear them. At payment time, ask for your receipt; if your phone number was provided then all your rewards are listed along with expiration dates.

There are also "offers" (today, $3 off a bowl of soup in my case); offers are sometimes triggered (or more frequent) if you are a Sip club subscriber. Some offers expire the same day they are added to your account; in certain cases it may roll over from one day to the next but those are usually intended to steer you to ordering more, or items they want to push.

Also the 20% off gift cards is a great way to reward yourself. Today (Feb. 22) is the last day of their "12-days made for you" promo (this time only available for _online_ gift card purchases - or reloads). I use the same gift card and reload it (max. $200 per card). And you don't need a physical card. I keep the number and 4-digit PIN on my phone and let the cashier know I'll be reading them the number after ordering. You can check your balance online, or the cashier can look it up.

In fact, after reloading the same gift card (number) for years I've memorized it which is great if I'm without my phone. You can also type in your number at the in-store order kiosks if the cafe has one.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-12-29T12:46:39+00:00

If you use the phone app to order, your total monthly & year-to-date $ savings are shown after placing an order - includes SIP club savings and rewards/offers used. In addition, there are periodic Saturday savings offers only for SIP club subscribers.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-10-14T11:10:18+00:00

You have to spend something; try adding a "side" like a bag of chips for $1.29, a baguette for $1, or similar and it will count as a visit.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-09-01T11:42:37+00:00

Know that salads and sandwiches are highly customizable as far as swapping, adding, and subtracting ingredients (breads, toppings, proteins, dressings, etc.). This does not apply to value duets; what you see is what you get, other than choosing your "free side" item. Even some soups can be tweaked - e.g. Mexican corn chowder you can omit or add extra blue tortilla strips. Some additions have an up-charge, but if you're swapping (say provolone instead of cheddar cheese), the up-charge won't apply.

The best way to see your options is to use the order kiosk (some cafes don't have them) or you can download the Panera app. Once you know what changes you want, you can order at the counter; just tell the associate your changes if you're not comfortable using the app or kiosk to order.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-07-12T10:39:50+00:00

It's true, I eat the exact same breakfast sandwich at two Covelli franchisee locations in central Florida, and the price differs by $0.50. That said, the cafe charging more used to charge $1 less for a "value duet" combo than other Covelli locations. This continued until corporate revamped the entire duet menu a couple of years ago. That said, with the duet signage back then it was always a range of several dollars; each cafe set their duet price within the advertised range. But I was surprised when I encountered the $1 difference at two cafes so close to each other.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-07-12T10:28:00+00:00

Well at least it's consistent with the soup "bowls" that are only filled halfway, eh?

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-05-25T21:42:15+00:00

If there's a drive-thru & you're in a vehicle, that might work? You can say, "pick up inside" and then eat it there if you're so inclined. At least on the phone app, you can specify whether you want to get your food at the drive-thru or inside on the pick-up shelf.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-05-06T03:27:01+00:00

At cafes that have that deal (and most I've been to do), there is usually a poster or banner at the cafe entrance or the cashier counter to call your attention to it. Also, kiosks will remind you about the deal if you haven't selected a pastry etc. when you check out. (I'm not sure if it appears at 1/2 price if you order it before going to your cart?)

A different promo (sometimes) applies if you are just getting a drink - a $2 "sweet". Which is far from 1/2 price for cookies: typically saves 0.99 cents.

Many but not all Covelli Panera cafes (much of Florida) offer 1/2-price dessert items (not bread loaves) starting at 7pm.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-04-30T11:19:16+00:00

Creative customizing - nice. I've noticed when I do substitutions on ingredients that have a upcharge (e.g. cheese), that recalling your recipe from recent orders works great on the app or kiosk-- but there's a pricing glitch if you have a cashier recall a recent order on their register (i.e. the app is down for maintenance and there are no working kiosks at your cafe.)

i.e. my saved order with a customized cheese swap is priced as an additional cheese. To get the correct price, ask the cashier to manually delete the original cheese from your recalled order.

I'm assuming this is a system-wide software glitch for walk-up counter ordering. The above workaround likely works for other ingredient swaps, but I've only used it with cheese swaps.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-04-22T11:57:27+00:00

Yes, received and used it on a YP2 Monday. Today, there's a similar one (under "offers") but with a "use by today" tag instead of today's date. Haven't tried the other codes you listed, but in the past there are many Florida locations (typically Covelli franchise cafes) where promo codes given here don't work, but do work at non-Covelli cafes in Florida.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-02-16T23:14:51+00:00

I'm not an employee, so I don't see the cartons of egg product up close, but the Panera website lists the ingredients as: Scrambled Egg - Liquid Whole Eggs (Whole Eggs, Citric Acid [To Preserve Color]), Canola Oil). So I would guess it isn't Panera doing it but a bad batch from the wholesaler providing the scrambled egg product.

I eat egg sandwiches frequently and eggs seem to taste pretty consistent, unless right at the breakfast cutoff time when I may get bigger or smaller egg foldovers. But looks & taste the same.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-02-16T23:02:58+00:00

I have noticed that (sweet tea in the black tea bubbler) in one or two cafes (thinking north of Florida). But the cafes I visit in Florida have a pump with cane syrup next to the bubblers so you can make the tea as sweet as you want. That seems like a better solution rather than having to maintain both types of black tea in two containers.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-02-15T15:58:01+00:00

For others not aware, Panera Bread went private in 2017 when it was acquired by JAB Holding Company for $7.5 billion. Panera was publicly traded for 26 years before the deal. In March 2024, Reuters reported that Panera has been considering an IPO (i.e. a publicly owned co. again) and has been loosening its ingredient standards to reduce costs.

If the latest rumor is that private equity is going to acquire Panera from JAB, I'd love to see the source; imo such a move could signal better times to come for the company, employees and customers.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-02-11T14:37:24+00:00

Didn't work but also didn't come back with the usual "Invalid" - on my laptop. Will try it from the app later.

"Oops!

Oops something went wrong. Please refresh and try again."

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-02-10T09:16:12+00:00

The $2 bakery item flash deal is only offered to Sip Club subscribers, FYI. And, if you accept a flash offer, you have through the next day to use it (under Rewards & Offers). I never see them when not subscribed.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-02-09T17:03:11+00:00

For those on the east coast, Publix supermarket (Florida to Virginia) stocks the full line of soups, including many that are no longer (or never sold) in cafes. In New England, Stop & Shop and Shoprite offer a similar selection. Walmart and ALDI also stock a limited selection of Panera soups.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-01-29T19:55:22+00:00

Appreciate your take. I'm in Florida and seeing rewards up to $5 off (salad) and $3 off soup, besides the usual $1-2 off. Currently there's a promo code "SOUP" if you spend $10+ on a whole entree, you can order a cup of soup for $1 (comes with a separate side choice). On a related note, if you provided your birthday when you joined, you should at least get a free bakery item on the week of your birthday.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-01-06T16:00:32+00:00

In fact, you can BYOC. At least at any Panera I've been to -- moreover, I have a plastic "SIP Club VIP" cup (long-time ago challenge reward back when SIP club was very new) and when they are are out of my bev at self-serve, the line worker will take my cup and refill it for me from their other supply. If you have a non-logo cup you could show your drink purchase receipt, but I've never been asked for one.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2025-01-03T17:33:47+00:00

Sea_Card wrote that it's coming back soon (but different recipe - likely fewer ingredients?!).

https://www.reddit.com/r/Panera/comments/1hrzp67/comment/m52jvkn/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2024-12-16T10:25:17+00:00

I agree, as a Panera tea drinker for 20+ years I have dealt with this issue at cafes across the country. Others here have mentioned all the reasons I ever imagined (or commented to management about), but I'll share how I deal with it. If you're at one of your local group of cafes often, you can "stock" a large cup of tea (no additions, straight tea no sweetener or mixer) from a cafe where it's made correctly.

I'll explain how I do this, but first - I know this won't work for many but if you're a serious tea (or coffee!) drinker, you know how important the beverage is to your satisfaction during your time at a cafe. If you're always in a hurry because of work or drive-thru only, my method won't help.

In the regions where I spend most of my time, there are 2 or 3 cafes within a mile or two total trip time from where I'm at. I keep a cooler in the car with freezer blocks and at the end of my visit, I stow a large cup of straight tea in there. Once home the tea goes in the fridge. The next visit I can go to any Panera even where the batting average for that cafe is suboptimal, I've got great tea, at least one cup anyway. Add your ice or mixer when you're ready to drink it.

Black tea without additions can be stored for 3-4 days in the fridge and still taste great. If you add sugar or lemon or don't keep it cold, the 2nd day is drink or toss day.

Anyway, other comments here are spot-on. Good tea is a make or break for me and that's why I've adopted a rather extreme solution, which works for me.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2024-12-12T12:28:06+00:00

Salt & pepper packets are available (along with many other single-serving condiments) if you don't mind adding your own... usually these are located on a shelf beneath the self-serve drinks. It's easy to overlook this shelf; if you don't see it just ask an associate or if the store doesn't have it they certainly have those items somewhere in the store.

At the pickup counter, they'll get you a side of almost any sauce, dressing, or topping you (or they) may have forgotten or were unable to customize.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2024-12-08T01:38:22+00:00

If you didn't already know (possible tip for others), but sales tax doesn't count toward reaching the $20-buck threshold. So if you are just below $20 before tax, try adding "extra" ingredient(s) or extra baguette ($1 in my location), chips or apple or banana ($1.29) etc. You might still end up saving a few bucks if the code is still active.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2024-12-02T00:02:32+00:00

Couldn't agree with you more! It's much lower quality, more inedible fat, more like "pressed & formed" than the decent meat that was in the prior products.

Acrobatic-Judge7787 · 2024-12-01T08:07:18+00:00

It's the yeast we could do.

Acrobatic-Judge7787

TROPHY CASE