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Panera Bread is facing criticism from some employees and customers after the launch of its new "Salad Stuffers," with concerns growing over possible food waste tied to the product.

The item, introduced on April 8, is described by the company as "a bread bowl for your salad."

It uses a hollowed-out Italian roll filled with salad, offering a new twist on the brand's well-known bread bowl concept. However, reactions online suggest the rollout has not been smooth.

Several individuals claiming to be employees shared concerns on social media, saying the preparation process leads to unused food being thrown away.

One post stated, "The core of the bread is thrown out, and a good chunk of the salad gets tossed in the trash, too," raising questions about how much food is being wasted during assembly, NY Post reported.

Photos shared online appear to show trays filled with removed bread portions.

Another post claimed that leftover bread pieces could not be given to customers or reused in certain ways, adding to frustration among workers. "These are a huge waste of money and food," one commenter wrote.

Panera Faces Backlash Despite Positive Early Feedback

The criticism has sparked a wider conversation about how restaurants handle unused ingredients.

Some commenters suggested simple fixes, such as turning leftover bread into croutons or other menu items.

Others questioned whether the product is truly new, comparing it to a sandwich rather than a fresh concept.

Despite the backlash, the company has highlighted positive feedback from early testing.

According to DNYuz, Chief marketing officer Mark Shambura said customers "couldn't get enough" of the item during trials, calling it a creative update to existing menu offerings.

Outside reviews have also been mixed. Some critics said the Salad Stuffers are not worth the price, suggesting customers could create a similar meal by ordering a salad and using bread on the side.

Others, however, described the item as enjoyable, comparing it to a wrap with a different texture.

The discussion also brought attention to similar offerings from other brands. Some observers noted that salad-filled bread products have already been introduced by smaller chains, adding to questions about originality.

Panera has not publicly responded to the latest wave of criticism. The company has previously said it repurposes extra bread into items like croutons and bread pudding, though it is unclear how that applies to this specific product.