Panera Is Sending Charged Lemonade, The Focus Of Several Wrongful Death Suits

Panera Bread is getting Charged Lemonade off the menu, the caffeinated beverage that has sparked multiple lawsuits and caused a public relations nightmare for the company.

As reported first by Bloomberg, the Charged Lemonades will be pulled out from the menu in two weeks. BBC News tried to reach out for comments on the timeline but it was kept mum by the chain.

Panera has been faced with at least three separate lawsuits in the past few months regarding the lineup of controversial drinks, citing that the high levels of caffeine in the product have caused the deaths of two customers and irreversible health complications in another.

A Panera representative said that among other low-calorie drinks that will fill the missing drink will be a new blueberry lavender lemonade, a pomegranate hibiscus tea, citrus punch, and a tropical green smoothie.

The Charged Lemonades lineup was also announced in April 2022, which also went along with the launch of the drink's subscription program that granted subscribers as many sodas and coffees they wanted per day for just $10.99 per month. It is now sold at $14.99 per month.

Panera did not take off the Charged Lemonades from the menu because experts say that removing it immediately would have come out as an implied admission that there was something wrong with the drink in the first place.

"Very often in lawsuits, there is a knee-jerk reaction among lawyers to do as little as possible publicly out of some vague fear that you are exposing yourself to additional liability," crisis PR expert James Haggerty said previously to BBC News, noting that this approach can have a detrimental effect on the market value of a company, at times to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

She calls it "a cost-benefit analysis… The loss of reputational value will often outweigh anything that occurs in the courtroom.".

In February, Panera overhauled its menu with what the company called its "largest menu transformation ever," streamlining its offerings to feature more sandwiches, soups, salads and macaroni and cheese. Several items fell off the menu, including flatbreads, some sweet treats and chili.

"We're excited about the success of our recent menu transformation that started with our core items such as sandwiches and salads," said a Panera spokesperson about this transformation. 

"We heard over 30,000 guests say what they want from Panera and are focusing next to the broad array of beverages we know our guests crave." 

The moves are part of Panera's preparations to go public again later this year. In November of 2023, the chain cut 18% of its corporate workforce, or 300 people, and Reuters recently reported it is easing the standards it sets for its ingredients in an effort to save $20 million annually.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Emerging College Student Sex Trend Sparks Concerns Over Risks

Image
A concerning trend among college students has recently captured the attention of health experts and educators, prompting discussions about its potential risks and long-term consequences. This behavior, which involves increasingly casual and experimental sexual practices , has become more prevalent on college campuses across the country. While it reflects changing social attitudes and a push for sexual freedom, experts warn that it carries significant physical, emotional, and social risks. What’s Behind the Trend? The rise of this trend can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the normalization of hookup culture, increased use of dating apps, and a shift in societal attitudes toward sex and relationships. Many students view college as a time for exploration and self-discovery, and for some, this includes experimenting with their sexual boundaries. Social media platforms and apps like Tinder, Bumble, and others have played a pivotal role in facilitating casual encounters....
Read more

Trump's Defense Pick Pete Hegseth Faces 2017 Sexual Assault Allegations

Image
Pete Hegseth, nominated by Donald Trump for the position of Defense Secretary, has become embroiled in controversy following accusations of sexual assault dating back to 2017.  According to police in Monterey, California, an investigation was conducted into an alleged assault at a hotel in early October 2017, which reportedly involved bruising on the victim’s right thigh.  However, no charges were filed, and the investigation was closed without evidence to support the claim. Hegseth's lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, emphasized that the police had found no grounds for the allegation. The news of the accusation caught Trump’s transition team by surprise, especially as Hegseth, a National Guard veteran and Fox News host, had already been selected to lead the U.S. military. Despite his lack of large organizational management experience, the nomination had already raised eyebrows within Washington circles. Reports, including one from Vanity Fair , suggest that the Trump team is now con...
Read more

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum Nominated for Best New Museum in USA Readers' Choice Awards

Image
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum , a beacon of maritime history located in Hatteras Village, North Carolina, has gained national recognition by being shortlisted for the BBC News Readers’ Choice Awards in the category of Best New Museum. This nomination highlights the museum’s dedication to preserving and showcasing the unique and often perilous history of the Outer Banks, a region famously known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." This accolade is a testament to the museum's engaging exhibits, which delve into the stories of shipwrecks, brave mariners, and the region's pivotal role in maritime history. The Outer Banks' treacherous waters have claimed thousands of ships over the centuries, earning the area its foreboding moniker. The museum not only commemorates these tragedies but also celebrates the resilience and innovation of the people who navigated and thrived in such challenging conditions. One of the museum's standout features is its extensive coll...
Read more