Panera Bread is facing backlash over its Charged Lemonade drink, which has been the subject of multiple lawsuits, including claims that it led to the deaths of two customers and caused irreversible health complications in another. As a result, the chain has decided to remove Charged Lemonade from its menu in the next two weeks. Panera has not commented on the timeline of the drinks’ removal, but a spokesperson did mention that new low-sugar and low-caffeine options will be introduced to replace it, including a blueberry lavender lemonade, pomegranate hibiscus tea, citrus punch, and tropical green smoothie.
The lineup of Charged Lemonades was introduced in April 2022 as part of the release of Panera’s beverage subscription program, where customers could get unlimited soft drinks and coffees for a monthly fee. Despite the controversies surrounding Charged Lemonade, Panera kept it on the menu, as experts advised that immediate removal could be seen as an admission of wrongdoing. However, with the negative publicity and lawsuits, the decision has now been made to eliminate Charged Lemonade to mitigate further damage to the company’s reputation and prevent any additional legal action.
Crisis PR expert James Haggerty noted that in situations like this, there is often a fear among lawyers to take immediate action for fear of increasing liability. However, the loss of reputational value can have a greater impact on a company’s market value. Panera is also going through other changes, with a recent menu transformation that focused on sandwiches, soups, salads, and macaroni and cheese. Some items were removed from the menu, including flatbreads, sweet treats, and chili, to make way for new offerings based on customer feedback.
The decision to remove Charged Lemonade comes as Panera prepares to go public again later this year. The chain has undergone corporate layoffs and is making changes to ingredient standards to save money. With the recent menu changes and the removal of controversial items, Panera is looking to refocus its offerings based on customer preferences and improve its reputation in the market. As the company continues to evolve and adapt, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact its future growth and success in the competitive restaurant industry.
