Panera Bread will open a nonprofit restaurant Monday in Portland where customers can pay what they wish for food.
It's the third "Panera Cares" community cafe for the company and its first West Coast location.
Panera (PNRA) opened community cafes last year in Clayton, Mo., and Dearborn, Mich. The restaurants are owned and operated by a nonprofit arm of the national restaurant chain, which receives no profit from the business.
"In some ways it is a test for humanity," said Ron Shaich, founder of Panera who launched the concept for the company. "Will people step up and help each other or will they take advantage?"
So far, people have stepped up. Panera said about 20% of the visitors to the cafes leave more than the suggested amount, 20% leave less and 60% pay what is suggested.
Those who are not able to pay anything do not have to, but the cafe suggests they volunteer their time in support of the organization.
"This is not about a handout," Shaich said. "This is about a hand up, and every one of us has a need for that at some point in our lives."
Click here to read the rest of the story from USA Today.
No comments:
Post a Comment