I’m a Panera employee – people are shocked to see how we prepare the Iced Green Tea, they say it’s not worth $3
PANERA fans are embroiled in a debate about one of the chain’s most popular items after footage shows the drink being prepared right at the sink.
A video clip reportedly filmed in the restaurant shows a bottle of bright green beverage concentrate being poured into a drink container, while water from a sink fills it the rest of the way.
“Y’all paying $5 for sink water,” TikTok user Faith, who only uses her first name on the platform, wrote in the caption.
In the comments, Faith confirmed the drink was Panera’s green tea, which many viewers had guessed when they saw the big bottle of green concentrate.
“I recognized that green stained bottle immediately,” said one commenter, a former employee.
“I work at Panera and I immediately knew this is Panera,” said another.
The Passion Papaya Green Tea doesn’t actually retail for $5 – a regular-size cup is $2.89 and a large is $3.19 – but in the comments, some viewers agreed with Faith’s assessment of the value.
Many said they already skipped the drink due to cost, while others admitted to creative methods of stealing the tasty beverage.
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“I ask for a water cup and I get a normal-sized cup instead,” said a sneaky consumer.
Former employees of other restaurants chimed in to say the practice wasn’t uncommon.
A Wendy’s employee said the same method is used for Wendy’s lemonades, and a Chipotle worker said the aguas frescas are made with concentrate in a commercial sink.
Other consumers weren’t convinced that the prep method was safe.
“That looks like a handwashing sink,” said one, “Aaaaand a health code violation.”
An unbothered TikTok user argued: “Y’all, I grew up drinking from the hose.
“This isn’t gonna stop me from wasting my money on things that make my life convenient.”
But in all likelihood, several people pointed out, the industrial sink has a corresponding filtration system that makes the drink more than simple “tap water.”
“Commercial restaurants use big water filters built into the system for all the water lines that go to food prep,” explained one commenter. “It’s filtered tap water.”
And no matter what, the most devoted fans would not hesitate to pay any price for the sweet elixir.
“I’d pay $7 for it,” wrote one thirsty Panera fan.
The Sun has reached out to Panera for comment but didn’t receive any at the time of publication.
A different Panera employee slammed the restaurant on his last day of work, but once again, fans of the chain came to its defense.
And if you aren’t spending your $3 on a green tea, take your money to McDonald’s, where this viral hack will make the “best-ever coffee drink.”
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