Customers Say This Fast-Casual Chain Is Overpriced

One of the biggest names in fast-casual dining was once well-loved for its pocket-friendly items but now faces backlash from customers for not offering good value. Panera Bread has become one of the country's most overpriced sandwich chains, along with places like Subway and Firehouse Subs. "Panera used to be really good, and their prices were more reasonable. Now I just feel like it's all overpriced, microwaved food," said one disappointed customer on Reddit. Others have expressed similar sentiments on the platform. As a different Reddit post put it, "Panera's decline saddens me more than any other franchise. What happened?"

Some people blame the sharp rise in prices and dip in quality on the sandwich giant's 2017 buyout by private equity company JAB Holdings. One social media user remarked, "As a 10-year employee, I can tell you some of us feel the same way. Since we were bought out, the company has definitely gone downhill, they only care about the money now." The chain hasn't just left its old fans disillusioned. It also pushed away a first-time visitor who complained on Reddit, "I've never eaten at Panera but have always been curious. I ordered the Ciabata Cheesesteak, $16.95 plus tax, I cannot believe this pathetic small sandwich that taste[s] like Hot Pockets cost d*** near $19! I will never eat there again."

In the 2000s, Panera was America's fast-casual dining sweetheart. It fostered a reputation for offering affordable food with healthy ingredients and focused on making its restaurants welcoming with perks like free wifi. In fact, Panera had significant success around the 2008 financial recession when it emerged as one of the highest-performing companies on the stock market. During this period, while other restaurants focused on cutting costs, the sandwich chain doubled down on quality, introduced new menu items and invested in its restaurants and employees.

Unfortunately, the Panera of more recent times hasn't followed the same winning strategy. As a result, customers feel it no longer offers good value. In 2022, when Mashed asked readers which fast food restaurant they found most overpriced, Panera led with over a quarter of the votes. In 2025, the chain's CEO, Paul Carbone, told CNBC that the company had focused too much on cutting costs to combat inflationary pressures. "In some instances, we shrunk portions, so guests would walk into our cafe to buy a sandwich that has gone up significantly in price, with lower-quality ingredients, in a smaller size," he admitted. While Panera's turnaround plan aims to fix such issues, change doesn't occur overnight. If some of the sentiments expressed on social media are anything to go by, this may be a chain restaurant to avoid in 2026.