>>17703819>microwaved soupI used to manage a Panera.
It's actually made at a separate location and frozen in a bag. To prepare for service they place the frozen bag in a rethermalizer (basically a slotted huge vat of hot water) to bring it up to temperature. Then they pour it in a pan and place it on the production line over a contraption that holds hot water at a specific temperature (think like a double boiler).
You are right though, it is pretty fucking expensive for what it ends up being at the end of the day.
