for restaurant food if they know (or at least think) the ingredients are better than other places' ingredients. Unless Panera lowers their prices, which I highly doubt they will, they're going to lose (even more) customers.
A funny(ish) story about Panera...about 4-5 years ago, Dad needed to take his car in for repairs. He told me if I'd follow him and then bring him home, he'd buy me dinner. Of course he didn't have to do that--I was more than happy to help--but I'm not going to turn down a free dinner <g>. There aren't many restaurants near the shop he took the car to, so we ultimately wound up at Panera. Dad had never been, but at that time, I would've named Panera as my favorite fast-casual place (my opinion of Panera has definitely soured over the last few years...) Dad gave me a $20 bill and told me to get him just a bowl of the chili plus a small plain coffee. I got a pick two combo--some basic sandwich, soup and a small drink. Dad was shocked when I handed him back a few coins. He honestly thought he'd be getting back at least $3, maybe $4 in change.
Nowadays, that same order would cost easily over $25. Dad still often hands me a $20 when we go out to eat somewhere that's not a sit down restaurant (we almost never go to a sit down restaurant together). If it's a fast casual chain, I usually have to put in at least $5, which I absolutely don't mind doing...but I don't tell Dad.
