Why doesn't Panera Bread allow tips?

The one I worked in altered their computer software so that tips couldn't be paid with a card since many of the other Paneras in our franchise had computers that didn't allow credit card tips. This "leveled the playing field" according to them. At our store it resulted in a huge pay cut for the catering staff. read more

At other restaurants, keep in mind, any tip you leave is not keep in full by the server, in almost all restaurants, the tips are pooled together and a system (which varies from restaurant to restaurant) is used to split the combined tips between the servers, host/hostess, kitchen staff, and the like. read more

Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. purchased Saint Louis Bread Co. in 1993 and operated both the Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Co. and Au Bon Pain business units. In May 1999, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. sold the Au Bon Pain business unit and retained the Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Co. business unit. read more