Alright, I applied at Panera bread one day through 2 close friends from school that referred me. They'd been working there for 2+ years and are reliable and hardworking people, as am I. They told me that this particular Panera Bread had recently fired 5-9 or so they were taking a bunch of interviews. A week later, I received a call from Panera (I'll call them PB from now on) and they scheduled an interview with the manager for the next day. The day of, they offered me a free drink as I waited for the manager to come out and it felt morso like a conversation and as if he was just trying to get a feel for who I AM, rather than reading generic questions off of a paper. He confided to me that they'd recently fired a lot of employees bc they weren't "Home-y"; didn't give off the nice and family vibe that PB is known for. So Honestly, what they want to hear is that you're optimistic and cheerful and upbeat. You don't need experience, and you don't even need to know anyone there as long as you have that natural way with smiling and being happy and able to handle stress. At the end of this interview, he told me that he loved me ( for the job) and my personality would definitely be of use on a cashier or table runner and that he loved all of my answers and the way I carry myself. (I'm very upbeat and optimistic!!) and so then he scheduled my 2nd interview 2 days later with the GM and he asked similar questions (but only about 2, the rest was more of a conversation) and then he told me he's looking forward to bringing me on the team and that the managers are having a big meeting that following weekend and he will see where he can put me in! And so a few days after his meeting, he called and told me that I'm hired ! And need to come in for an orientation (where they set up direct deposit and other important paperwork and you do E-Learning videos on food safety). 2 days later I went to Planet Bread (you get paid for this) with one other future employee and we watched a video on PB and then that was it so far. I'm awaiting a call for my first day. (Has only been 2 days so far)