I worked my way up and reaped the benefits of working in a company striving to be better. - Assistant Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

3.0
26 Feb 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great benefits, casual business work environment, opportunity to move up and learn. The daily benefits including great relationships and building trust with other associates and customers can be the most rewarding aspect. Sometimes just plain human interaction can either amaze you or make you a better person.

Cons

Instead of adding to their bottom line by removing unnecessary excessive and high cost menu options, they began viciously removing benefits from the lower paid associates. Bonuses and rewards for being a loyal member of the Panera family slowly but surely faded away.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
24 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good customers, pay, and opps

Cons

None at this time yo

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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