Panera...I beg you don't blow it

Ask anyone on my staff and they will tell you that I am a BIG fan of the Panera Bread Company (NASDAQ: PNRA).

Why? First. Their food is great. But second, their system wide free Internet is terrific. When travelling, I got out of my way to find a Panera.  I have scheduled business meetings there for that reason.  I often hide out there when I have to write an article.  After hearing me say a number of times that I was going to "work at Panera's" a friend of my daughter asked me whether I worked baking the bread or making the sandwiches.  Even during my sporadic carb-watching diet intervals I still seek out Panera. I rave about Panera.

But today (Saturday) I got a hint that maybe changes are afoot.  Maybe Panera doesn't get people like me after all.

It was halftime at my daughter's dance competition (astute dance types will remind me that it is likely not called "halftime").  I went over to Panera to get a sandwich and do a little work.

And then it happened.

After 30 minutes my Internet was cut off. This has never happened before.

A note on the log-in page says they are now doing a 30 minute restriction in "prime time."  Saturday lunch is prime time?

Panera. I beg you. Don't do this!  I am a member of your tribe even if the tribe does not yet exist. If you don't know what I am talking about, read Seth Godin's book. Don't make the Starbucks mistake and treat me like a customer. I want to be part of a Panera tribe. Even during my low-carb interludes.

What tribes are you a member of?  A good place to look for a tribe or two in our industry is on the InformationZen web site.  Over 2,100 industry executives are hanging out there.  Looking for a tribe.

Seth's book, BTW, is good reading for those of us in the blogging world. Check it out.

Comments

[PandaBear]

I had the same experience in Panera bread. They now have you click on a log in page that gives you only 30 mins of free wifi per day. It is not just one session, they record your MAC address and ban you from logging on again.

You cannot even get on again if you buy something.

Let's see, they are trying to get people into the store to host meeting and events, but now they are asking people to leave if they are hogging the space.

There are just way too many people in PNRA now, it loses the homey comfortable feeling. Kids everywhere, dish clanking everywhere, it is getting close to a Walmart McDonald's.

There are so many good cafe and sandwich shops out there that have fresh baked bread with the sandwich just as good if not better, and unlimited free wifi. Maybe not as nicely decorated or as famous, but I think PNRA lost its edge and its popularity image.