Episode 889: The Pay-What-You-Want Experiment
This Panera Cares store in Chicago switched from for-profit to non-profit, and it started asking customers to pay whatever they want. Niala Boodhoo/NPR hide caption
This Panera Cares store in Chicago switched from for-profit to non-profit, and it started asking customers to pay whatever they want.
Niala Boodhoo/NPRPlanet Money
#889: The Pay-What-You-Want Experiment
In 2010, Panera launched a series of non-profit cafes. These cafes were pretty much just like any other Panera, except that customers could choose what to pay for their food. The menu only listed "suggested prices." The hope was that generous people would help subsidize the meals of the needy, and the cafes would break even.
On today's show, an experiment in charity that goes right to the heart of human nature. It's a battle between our ethical concerns, and the way we actually spend our money.
Music: "Outside the Cage" and "Airport Blues."
Find us: Twitter / Facebook / Instagram
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts and NPR One.