Panera Customers Are Warning About The Dangers Associated With This Drink
Subscriptions are becoming commonplace in all aspects of life, from streaming services to grocery delivery. Panera decided to get in on the subscription game back in February 2020, when the fast-casual cafe introduced an unlimited coffee subscription for $9 per month, per Insider. Although this sounds too good to be true, when Panera tested out the subscription in 150 restaurants, the brand experienced increased traffic and food purchases. Plus, 90% of subscribers renewed after the first month.
On the heels of the success of the coffee subscription, the bread bowl behemoth rolled out its Unlimited Sip Club in 2022, which includes Charged Lemonades, tea, coffee, and fountain beverages for $10.99 per month, per the Panera website.
While this sounds like a win-win for customers and Panera's bottom line, concerns have arisen about the amount of caffeine in one of the restaurant's drinks, especially if people have access to unlimited refills.
A TikToker pointed out that the Charged Lemonades have nearly 400 milligrams of caffeine
"This is not an ad, this is a warning," said @rosetintedgirl in their TikTok about Panera's Charged Lemonades, which has more than two million views. In the video, the creator warns that the lemonade they're drinking has more than 400 milligrams of caffeine. They're not exaggerating, as according to Panera's website, if the TikToker is sipping on a 30-ounce serving of any of the Charged Lemonades, they're consuming between 387 and 398 milligrams of caffeine. To put that number in perspective, that is the equivalent of about four cups of coffee, per Healthline.
Many TikTokers were shocked by the amount of caffeine, while others were excited to try it. "AND 100mg of SUGAR!!!! It is so dangerous. I could not sleep for 2 days," commented one TikToker. "Omgggg.... I had a horrible panic attack and went to the ER the last time I drank this at Panera and had nooo idea what caused it until now," said another user.
The caffeine enthusiasts of TikTok also chimed in. "Panera Bread made Mountain Dew gamefuel lemonade flavor. cant wait lmao," commented one TikToker. "Lemme get that. I can finally stop drinking 500 espressos and switch to the new lemonade concentrate," commented another user. If you're someone who wants to refresh their morning caffeinated drink, this one may be worth a shot.