DISCRIMINATION AT PANERA BREAD!
Today, Sunday, January 2, 2022, I arrived at Panera Bread Cafe # 601186 located at 4300 Merchant Plaza, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192 at approximately 7:35 am. Upon my entry into the Cafe, I noted that no sale clerks were present at any of the checkout registers. I proceeded to the Cafe's kiosk and ordered three (3) cinnamon crunch bagels and a large coffee. My purchase totaled $7.33. I paid for my purchase via electronic payment in full. The kiosk screen instructed me to take a cup for me coffee and proceed to the food service pick-up area to wait for my order. I retrieved a large cup for my coffee which were stacked directly behind the kiosk and proceeded to the self-serve coffee station and prepared my coffee. Coffee in hand I walked to the food service pick-up area and sat on the bench and waited for the rest of my order.
The food prep clerk called out order for 3 cinnamon crunch bagels. I stood and proceeded to the counter and verified that it was my order. I asked for extra butter and the food prep clerk said butter was already in the bag. I reached for extra butter out of the butter container atop the counter. A second clerk (later identified as May according to her name tag) asked me a question. I could not hear what she was asking so, I asked her to repeat the question. Given she was wearing a mask, I could not quite understand May so, I asked her to repeat the question again. May's question was, "are you a member of the coffee subscription program?" My response, "O, no, thank you." I proceeded to take my order but May said, well you didn't pay for the coffee." Stunned and confused I said, "What? What are you talking about?" May pointed to the printout taped to my order and said, "the coffee purchase is not on there." I paused for a moment to do the calculations in my head and responded, "yes I did look at the total on the printout." May said, yes, and you didn't pay for the coffee." I asked May, how much are the bagels and how much is the coffee." May said the bagels are around $1.40 something. I said okay now add a large coffee and that is my total. May flicked her hand at me and said, "just go!" May walked off.
I was shocked at what had just transpired. I could not believe that your employee, May, had just accused me of stealing coffee without taking any steps to verify such. I asked for a refund. May had walked off to the side and exited through a side door. The other employees just stood and looked at me. I asked to speak to a manager once I realized May had dismissed the situation. The the other employees said, she is the manager. I said, tell her I would like a refund. One of the employees pointed her finger in the direction of the registers indicating that May was at the register assisting another customer. May clearly walked through the kitchen and reentered the Cafe front through another door.
Still in shock, I decided to start recording the issue via LIVE streaming to Facebook as I walked to the checkout line, stood in line to wait my turn, after fully paying for my order only to be accused of STEALING COFFEE, to request a refund. When it was my turn to be serviced by May, she said refund? I said yes. May processed the refund for 3 bagels and a coffee and placed my receipt on the counter. May did not apologize.
I exited the Cafe. Upon close review while still on the premises of the Cafe, I realized that May did not refund me the correct amount. She refunded me for 3 bagels and a medium coffee. I paid for a large. I returned to the Cafe to request that my receipt be corrected. The LIVE videos capture a glimpse of what transpired.
Now, I am appalled to put it mildly at this outright show of DISCRIMINATION. There are several points throughout this whole ordeal in which your representative, May, failed me, a paying customer. She stereotyped me, she insulted me, she embarrassed me and she victimized me. I am left to ask, if I was a middle-aged white woman, would May have questioned my coffee purchase without verifying as such? I think it is safe to say that she would not have. May clearly believes that she can say and do whatever she chooses to do while working in your establishment.
May never took responsibility for her actions. May never at any point verified my coffee purchase. May anchored down in her belief that I stole a cup of coffee and was glad to have me take a refund and get out of the Cafe! May had a second opportunity to take responsibility for her actions but May opted not too. Upon my return to get the refund corrected, May once again never took responsibility. May never apologized. May continued to walk away holding firm to her belief that I STOLE a cup of coffee!
This is DISCRIMINATION. May should be terminated immediately. I hope that one one else has to be demoralized by May, an employee of your brand, Panera Bread.
I expect someone from Panera Bread Corporate office to contact me immediately to discuss this matter. read more