Pay Only What You Want At Panera Cafe

July 22nd, 2010 (9) Posted By Pat Dollard.

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  • CPLViper

    I dare them to put one in NYC or LA … The rich will scoff at it and not go, the poor (in legitimate need) will eat them out of existance. I say that because of the shear number of people in need these days not because of the pricks that just wouldn’t pay. End result … doors closed in a week. And so this tiny social experiment would come to an end.

  • http://hyperinflation-watch.blogspot.com ZenDraken

    Their business model appears to depend too much on shaming people into redistributing their wealth, while portraying themselves as virtuous victims.

    If you give, do so without seeking credit. A professionally managed non-profit organization can operate positively, without exploiting guilt or victimhood, and can actually help people in the process. That’s what you’re there for: Helping people in need, right? Not to shine the spotlight on yourself.

  • eaglesdontflock

    Cynical much, Zen. Beats having the govt take it from you involuntarily and give it to deadbeats.

  • David

    This place will fill up with drug addicts who will steal the food AND money while chasing away the paying customers. If you own stock in this company, sell it now.

  • Tim Roesch – pseudo intellectual

    This is a great experiment in socialism. If there are any members in ACTIVE (assuming ACTIVE IS active) they should go to these ‘cafes’ and do some video of real world socialism at work in the real world.

    Should be VERY enlightening.

    Treat this as an opportunity for teaching: the ultimate teachable moment.

  • Tim Roesch – pseudo intellectual

    Pat:

    This would a story that you should follow here. This is a perfect ‘learning’ and teaching environment.
    CPLViper, in his own laudable style, makes a very good point.

    Let’s see, in reality, what happens to such a venture and compare it to neighboring businesses and other business models ( I heard the ‘radiohead’ model compared to this).

    If I had the money I would open a shop nearby that trades ‘work’ or ‘volunteer’ credits for food or something like that.

  • Evestay

    They put one in Clayton, Missouri where I have an internship this summer. Clayton is a suburb of St. Louis with a lot of “professionals” working. This gives a good base for people who will be willing to pay.

    When I went in, they had two greeters stationed at the door to explain what was going on. That it is meant to let people having a tough time pay what they want, while everybody else should pay the “suggested” prices or donate a little extra. I don’t have much money (in law school and this internship isn’t paying much), but I still donated more than I should have. Definitely not going back to that particular location even though I really like Panera/St. Louis Bread Co.

  • Sentinel at the Gate

    Even though I’d love to go in and pay $1.25 for sandwich, drink and chips; I won’t darken the doorway of anyone practicing Socialism to make a political point.

    As discussed very well above, this is absolutely the stupidest business model ever concocted and will result in nothing but failure.

    Even if Panera is located in Yuppie areas, they will see business fall off and the doors will close. For a great history lesson, read Atlas Shrugged and you will see all this laid out before you – the guilt, the blame, the bad economic models, the horrible legislation and the ultimate result – TOTAL FAILURE!

  • odin2012

    When they go under…and they will, They can get a billion dollar loan from obama….They’re to big to fail. :roll: