Panera Bread and Free WiFi


RAVE #1: This afternoon I had a business meeting at Panera Bread in Torrance, CA. I've been to Panera a few times before and have always enjoyed their yummy sandwiches and salads. But, I've enjoyed their free WiFi even more. I think that it is so cool for an establishment to provide free wireless internet connection to their customers. It just seems like the right thing to do. In fact, if I ever run for president, my campaign will center around free WiFi and other productive things to make the world a better place. My meeting was so productive, I was able to surf the net and show my associate some ideas on the web and it didn't cost me a dime.

RANT #1: There are no Panera locations close to my house! The closest one is in Irvine and there is another in Newport Beach. According to their franchise information, they develop clusters of bakery cafes in a certain region. I'd love to see one pop up in Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Ladera Ranch or even San Juan Capistrano. In fact, the corner of Oso and Marguerite in MV would be an ideal, high traffic area for them.

RANT #2: How come Starbucks charges for their WiFi? Don't they make enough selling their $4 cups of coffee? I know Starbucks is a huge company, and they don't need any more customers, but I wonder if they'd sell more coffee by giving the WiFi away for free? I think more people would be inclined to go more often and stay longer and perhaps they'd get that second cup of joe? Diedrich's offers free WiFi. I know they aren't as well known or branded as Starbucks, but from the ones I've been to, they are much more cozy and have a better environment. I don't know how the coffee compares because I am not a coffee drinker. That's why this post was originally about how cool Panera is!

RAVE #2: This site will show you some of the free WiFi spots near you.

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Posted: Thu - January 4, 2007 at 05:40 PM          

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