My sister-in-law recently told me about a Panera restaurant that allows customers to pay their “fair-share” for their meals.
A sign at the entrance says: “Take what you need, leave your fair share.” Customers who can’t pay are asked to donate their time. The cafe opened Sunday and will operate seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
While the store does have cashiers, they don’t collect money. They simply hand each customer a receipt that says what their food would cost at a conventional Panera. The receipt directs customers with cash to donation boxes (there are five in the store). Cashiers do accept credit cards.
(Sorry about the ad before the video, I couldn’t figure out a way to get the video without the ad)
When she mentioned this to me my first thought was that who would pay full price if they didn’t have to? Maybe I don’t have enough hope in humanity anymore, but I wonder if this idea will really work. There are people who take lemons and packs of sweetener to make their own “lemonade” at restaurants in order to save a dollar or two on a drink. Are these same people going to pay what they can really afford at a place like this?
I really like the idea that those who can’t pay can work for food, and that this place might become a training place for at risk youth. This whole thing seems like a great idea, if it works. It kind of reminds me of the end of Acts 4 in the bible, where people sold what they had and distributed it to the poor.
Upon further thought, what I really like about this idea is that how much you give is your own choice. No one is forcing the the people with more money to give more and no one forces the people with less money to get it for free (or even get paid to eat there- do you see where I am going with this…)
I don’t know, but this article has definitely got me thinking this week about the money, giving, work, and a whole lot of other things…
This post is linked to Frugal Friday.
I read about something like this in Salt Lake. Many pay more to help off-set those who can’t pay. Those that can’t pay in labor that otherwise would have to be hired out.
The menu there is ever changing as one way people can pay their fair share is by bringing in fresh garden produce, herbs, and fruit from their fruit trees and fresh eggs from backyard chickens. They plan their menu around this too.
I hope it works. It’s such a beautiful concept.
I love that there’s a chain restaurant doing this! There’s a restaurant in Denver that is run this way. It’s called SAME…”So All May Eat.” http://www.soallmayeat.org/
It’s sad that that is our (yes, I was similarly guilty) first reaction but you’re right, what a restoration of hope in humanity that seems to be too far gone to exist anymore. I think this is something to be prayerful of- not just in thanks for the reminder that good does still exist in the sea of humanity, but for the hope that it would be a living example of how we should live and treat one another. You shouldn’t give more than you have, but you should give what you can out of love so that others may have some as well. I think this is such a Christian way of thinking. Is it not a living example of love? God is so good! It also strikes a chord with me in relation to your bartering post the other day. So what if you don’t have the money? Come do dishes and mop floors or bring in your produce- very much a give and you shall receive sort of lesson for us all!
Interesting idea…unfortunately my “hope in humanity” is a little low because I think people will take real advantage of this. I’d lvoe to hear how it works out.
For a cinnamon crunch bagel with hazelnut cream cheese, I would pay more than what is normally charged =) I think it is a great idea and I really hope it works!
In the test stores that have been open for some time now, they are finding that people who can pay, typically pay more than the suggested price. I love this idea because it give people who couldn’t normally pay for a meal a chance to eat good quality food, rather than scrounging up a few dollars to buy some junk, just so they can get some food.
Wow, I’m struck by the courage that this and the restaurants that other commenters have mentioned. I think it takes real guts to try something like this. It is easy to be cynical, but they have really fought that tendency and took a risk on the goodness of humanity. What a great risk to take.
I’m so glad you posted this.
I think it is a great idea that I hope flourishes.
That is very interesting, at first thought I love it…However, I wonder how long it will last or if it will work…I would really love to see it’s progress in the coming months!
-Ashley
Very well put Megan.
This is really interesting. I wonder if they’re making money?
It is non-profit, so they are not really making any money, just enough to keep it open.
I love that idea. I hope it can continue to work in the long run. I love Panera but watching the pennies keep me from it. I’d love to go in once a week and have my tasties and do a little work. I get a treat and I don’t have the guilt I associate with eating out. LOVE IT!
I heard about this earlier in the summer from my nephew who lives in St. Louis where Panera originated as St. Louis Bread Company. There is one shop there who is using this honor system but he said it is in an affluent area, not an inner city shop. Haven’t heard of any elsewhere in the country. I’ve visited thrift stores in our area where they give away bread from Panera as well.
While that St. Louis Panera store is in a more affluent business district, there are also plenty of homeless people in that area too. There are also less affluent people who live or work near that shop. (I live in the St. Louis area and am familiar w/where the store is.) I also applaud Panera for taking the risk.
I live not too far from this Panera but haven’t been there yet. I’m torn. While I’d love a cheap bagel and coffee, I could technically afford to pay full price or more. But I’m frugal and don’t eat out much since we save our money for other things. So do I get a cheap bagel and feel like I’m ripping off a company? Or just not go because it’s not something I would normally do? Or go and offer a reasonable amount for what I get? And what’s a reasonable amount?
I will pay whatever is in my pocket. Some days I may pay $20 for a bagel other days it might be $5. And I would feel good either way. BTW is a bagel at Panera’s more than $20?
No, but a loaf of bread might be.
We have a chiropractor in Hawaii who does the same thing. Sitting at his reception is a white box called “The Honor Box”. Here’s a blurb from his site:
The Honor Box System is a simple way to overcome all financial obstacles that may prevent a patient from receiving the full benefits of chiropractic care. All Hawaiian Pacific Chiropractic patients have the right to set their own fee after the first visit. The standard adjustment fee is $40. However, all patients must privately examine their own financial situation and if paying $40 for their adjustment is affordable or if one of the pre-payment programs is within their budget, then this is what should be paid. However, as it is with many individuals and families in Hawaii during these challenging times, if the standard fee is too expensive and my pre-payment programs cannot fit into their budget, for whatever reason, all patients may pay a lesser fee using the Honor Box. The Honor Box fee is decided by the patient at whatever amount which he or she determines to be the most honest, reasonable, and affordable amount that gets as close to the $40 standard as possible. Honor Box payments are made anonymously. We do not track, record or monitor what gets paid into the Honor Box.
He’s been running his business this way since right after 9/11 and it has managed to be extremely profitable. People who do good get good.