Places all over Utah and Nevada have slowly started to become foodie hotspots. Each state has it's own unique flavors, and totally amazing restaurants popping up all over! With the awesome landscapes, thriving economy and food scenes that seem to be constantly evolving, it's no surprise that people are flocking to these two states. Among all the excitement, however, one restaurant chain has been making headlines for ALL the wrong reasons, and it's all over both Utah and Nevada! It's been named one of America's LEAST TRUSTED restaurant chains.

LEAST TRUSTED RESTAURANTS?!

Panera Bread has definitely made a name for itself, but even in a negative way too. According to a recent survey, 20% of Americans ranked Panera Bread as their least trusted chain restaurant. Panera is scattered all over the United States with several locations in Utah and Nevada. The chain continues to draw mixed emotions though.

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Panera’s Company in Questionable Trust

Panera isn’t alone in this not so flattering category. In fact, Sonic and Chipotle—both longtime staples in Utah and Nevada—have also faced their share of criticism on the survey.

  • Sonic: Remember when the servers at Sonic used to roller-skate to your car with your food in hand? That was AWESOME, but totally a thing of the past. However, without the roller-skates, some say the service isn't what it used to be.
  • Chipotle: I tried Chipotle years ago, and it didn't blow my socks off. I got a burrito and was kid of expecting it to be like a Cafe Rio burrito, but it wasn't. It didn't feel "cooked" like how Cafe Rio does it. Maybe I should give it another shot.

How Did Panera End Up On This List?

The survey that named Panera as one of the least trusted chains was based on some pretty specific criteria, including:

  • Delivers on promises.
  • Asks for honest reviews and feedback.
  • Pricing transparency.
  • Builds relationships with consumers.
  • Consistent performance.
  • Listens to and acts on feedback.
  • Employee treatment transparency.
  • Provides behind-the-scenes info about processes.
  • Easy to use website.
  • Pays employees well.

In a time where trust matters most, it seems Panera Bread has probably missed the mark for some people. But... Don't worry, not all hope is lost! Even though people aren't ranking Panera too high, they continue to grow.  So, if you’re curious like I am, you might want to keep an eye out for their new locations in Utah and Nevada.

As for the most trusted chains? Pizza HutKFC, and McDonald’s topped the charts in America. The entire survey from Chain Store Age can be found HERE!

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