Most of the time things were overwhelming, unstable, and less than mediocre. - LIne Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
6 Jan 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

If you are good at memorizing recipes, quick to recall them, and very outgoing, this is probably a good fit for you. The foundation of the company at large is appealing, strong and traditional. People really do respect this company and the orientation process allows you to feel a real sense of community.

Cons

Personally: The management is very deceitful when you need to take time off for emergencies. Once you get going, the training is a very slow, disorganized process. Obviously, to be trained in your area of work at any job is important, so definitely take control of this. The current employees were found to be very, very cliquey college kids. They knew their stuff and were annoyed when they had to help me due to lack of training. Many times I was in situations where other employees decided to take over my job because it was a "rush" and the management belittled my training. When the management was "busy," I was often merely showed the ropes by the same, disinterested people. More often than not, breaks are not given or they are only given to those the management favors. In this line of work, breaks are vital. Of course, this is only my short experience, so I wish you the best of luck and success if you so choose to become an employee. Remember, starting to stand up for yourself in every little way right from the beginning is probably the ultimate key to success here.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
16 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible scheduling Good co workers

Cons

High turnover Later work hours

3.0
18 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

GM at this location is very on top of things, because it's the busiest Panera in Queens. Consistent hours. Shifts go by very quickly, especially in the morning.

Cons

Location is extremely busy so it gets very stressful, especially in the morning when someone is out / there is no second cashier scheduled so the single cashier in the morning has to clean the coffee counter, refill coffees, make drinks, stick bagels in the oven & serve those bagels, check and bag up RPU/delivery orders, get bakery items for barista screen, and ring up customers. It can get really intense when many people come in, which is most of the time. You will be running back and forth like crazy. Customers can be impatient, rude, demeaning, and nasty when the line gets too long. Not recommended for people who are sensitive, with high anxiety. As for Panera the company, this chain keeps making bizarre and difficult changes to the menu, all of which make employees' lives harder and harder. With every change comes strange, dismaying, and borderline impossible expectations for frontline staff that cascade down through management who cannot do much to alter the hard policies. You can tell the company is struggling greatly to keep itself relevant with the younger crowd (a solid 80% of customers are old people). The CEO and everyone making company decisions at Panera is extremely out-of-touch. EXTREMELY. With every nonsensical menu & operations adjustment, you can tell these people haven't actually worked at a food service job in like 40 years.

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