I heart warm weather...my winter "south Florida" visit

The victim of this Panera Addict's review...



 Old man winter and I do not agree. Thankfully, I am lucky enough to have opportunities to travel during some of these unpleasant winter days. As I write this, I am ending a trip to Ft. Myers/Naples. My trip this time down south is more of a "work" trip than most of my travels are. You see, I work for a family business...and it just so happens that the other sales reps are men that have been with the company for 15, 25, and I think the other 35 + years. This trip to Ft. Myers was a result of meeting certain sales goals as a team. This trip also was based around golfing. Yes, 3 entire days of golfing.

I wouldn't say that I hate to golf...but I also wouldn't say that I love to golf. And 3 entire days of golfing seems a little much. But I am not going to complain...I could have been in -10 degree January Ohio weather. I am rather thankful of this trip for many reasons.

I will say that I had high hopes of visiting a local Panera...in fact, if you read my previous post, you would see that I had it mapped out. However, a golf trip with men is serious. It turns out that 18 holes of golf plus dinner equals an entire day and night of your time. Our tee time today, for example was at 10:40. I was finishing up a run this AM and my uncle calls me at 7:50AM to tell me the rest of the guys are going to breakfast then off to the course. Seriously? How early does one need to warm up? I thought I would be able to sneak in a Panera visit this AM...but as you can see, it was imperative to hurry up and wait for that 10:40 tee time.

But wait...I am creating a new post here, so certainly I found time to visit Panera? The answer is yes! In an interesting turn of events, I was able to visit one of the Naples Panera after our round of golf. It was an interesting story of how I was able to do this...but far too long to include in this post. Let's just say, I made it.

So, without further ado....MY NAPLES REVIEW:
Time of visit: 4ish PM
Location: Rt. 41 Naples
Item ordered: Hot british breakfast decaf tea

Hot tea with two tea bags....still equals les miserable.

Ok, I know what you are thinking...hot tea..really? I had just had lunch and a couple beers, plus before that, I had several caffeinated beverages. The fact that I found this Naples Panera at this point in time...well, I will say it...it was MTB. I wasn't looking for a Panera, but it found me.

I wanted a hot cocoa...as it was pretty cold, well for Naples. However, I only had $2 in my pocket. Hot cocoa is $2.25. So I ordered the tea. To be blunt...the tea sucked. I even used 2 tea bags (yes, I said 2 tea bags) and there was virtually no flavor. I might as well have drank plain hot water. Live and learn.

As far as the layout...this one was pretty darn small. Probably the smallest I have seen. However, it's location in Naples is awesome...right at a heavy corner intersection. Very high-end area. The service kind of sucked.

Random notes...

• My cashier kept talking about how January 22, was such a big day for her to the other staff...as she waited for the hot water for my tea. She kept saying, "Oh my god, is today what I think it is..." And then she kept waiting for others to recognize her big day. I never did figure out the significance of Jan. 22 for my cashier. I hope it was a good one though. I wasn't interested enough to ask. (shocking)
• Some foreigners were sitting next to me...speaking a different language, and probably laughing at me as I took a snap shot of my tea.
• An old couple was sitting near the entrance. I didn't hear any conversation, but they seemed happy.
• A younger couple was sitting near the bathrooms...had to have been 17, 18. My only observation...I am not sure why these tight spandex pants are popular. This girl was wearing skin tight capri type spandex. Dear Lord...make that go out of style soon. Thank you.

In conclusion....this was a very nice unexpected visit to Panera Bread, Naples Florida. I hope to visit this Panera in many future winters...perhaps then I can try a sandwich...and maybe that hot cocoa.

The view on the morning runs...very nice.

Florida Panera visits

I get to escape the Ohio winter for a few days...yet again! Tomorrow I travel to Ft. Myers. I am excited for sunshine, and the projected near 80 degree weather. At some point in time I plan to visit a new Panera.

Well, confession time...
I have already map-quested the route from the hotel to the nearest Panera! Looks like I will be about 15 miles from the nearest Panera. I hope to get a visit in at least one morning.

Stay tuned for my review.

Columbus welcomes you, Mr. Covelli

As you know, I just recently began documenting my obession with Panera. But long before I documented this strange hobby, I have enjoyed my Panera Bread for quite some time. It is interesting to learn that a Warren, Ohio based company, Covelli Enterprises has recently aquired the Columbus area Panera Breads. What's even more interesting is the fact that as of 2005, they owned and operated over 100 Panera Breads throughout Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida! The annual revenues exceed over $220 million per year! (According to a Smart Business Online article)

Sam Covelli is the man behind these Panera Bread franchises, and chances are that if you live or vacation in these area you have been to a Covelli Panera. I was browsing through all of their locations on the Covelli website and was very surprised to learn that they have 22 restaurants in the southern portion (Broward and Palm Beach County) of Florida...of which, I believe I visited one years ago. Too bad I didn't pay more attention back then.

Covelli Enterprises also owns and operates several of the O'Charleys franchises.

I must admit, I know very little about this Covelli group, and even less about Sam Covelli. Regardless, it seems that the Covelli's are experts in the franchise restaurant business.

Also, there is good news for Panera fans that live in a Columbus area suburb that DOES NOT have a Panera: Mr. Covelli stated in a Business Journal article the following,

 

"I always wanted Columbus. We think there's a lot of growth in the Columbus area, but we're going to continue to grow in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and our other locations in Florida, but it's exciting to get the market."

 

My hopeful interpretation of Covelli's statement is that they plan to expand throughout Columbus wherever it makes sense. I have 2 suggestions, right from the start for Mr. Covelli: Newark & Zanesville.

My Orlando trip included a visit to PANERA!

Panera Bread, Sand Lake Road - Orlando. Pictured: Ashley and Abby.

Date visited: 1.7.2011
Time of day: 10:30 am
Attendees/Items ordered:
Me: Old faithful, the Pick 2 combo (Sierra turkey on wheat, greek salad, and baguette) with iced tea.
Ashley: Breakfast panini with bacon, egg, cheese and a Mocha
Abby: Pick 2 combo (Broccoli and cheddar soup with greek salad)
Bonus: I gave my free My Panera reward of a pastry to Ashley and Abby. They opted for the a strawberry danish.

The story:
While visiting my friend, Ashley, that lives in Orlando, I had the distinct honor of going to the Panera located on Sand Lake Road. The weather in Orlando was gorgeous! Sunny and in the high 60s each day...not bad for January! When the weather is so pleasant, it is difficult to be negative...but somehow, I found flaws...mainly due to the service we received.

I fell instantly in love with the exterior of the building. They had an AWESOME outdoor seating area with higher end furniture. Beyond the exterior - my first impression of the interior was that it was quaint. That's right - they did not have a community room, so this was was much smaller. Despite the lack of community room and the more intimate seating, I did like the interior layout. As I said, it was very quaint...proving the age old adage - bigger isn't always better.

The FOOD.
No real trouble with anyone's food, other than the lettuce on my salad was a little brown for my liking, but other than that it was good. Ashley had a mocha with her meal, which she received free from her My Panera rewards card! She did note that while the Panera mochas are good, they are also expensive. (Further confirming the point that Amy made in the St. Clairsville post). I was told that the danish was good.

Our meals.

The SERVICE.
In a word - awful. The food preparer could not get my order correct. First he tried to give me the greek salad with a soup instead of the sandwich. When I told him what I ordered, he seemed rather annoyed. A few minutes later he called my name to pick up my order...only to have the sierra turkey on the default asiago bread, instead of the wheat bread as ordered. I had to inform him that it was still incorrect. Finally he called my name with everything correct, but the baguette. They gave me white instead of wheat. At that point it wasn't worth the fight.

Random FACTS.

• Abby signed up for My Panera card.
• They stop serving breakfast at 10:30...but thankfully Ashley was able to get that last-minute breakfast order.
• This Panera did not have free samples
• Orlando area Paneras use billboards to promote their stores.

Overall I enjoyed my visit to this Panera. I regret not sitting outside on the patio. Although it was nice outside - it may have been a tad chilly to sit there comfortably. Considering the fact that it was snowing in Ohio - I should have taken advantage of the patio seating.