Horrible Experience - Associate Trainer Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
21 May 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

None.

Cons

This has been one of the worst experiences of work in my life. They will give you no breaks at all, and if you ask for one the management will literally ignore you and not give you one. The leadership at Panera is horrific, and that seems to be the case for the entire company. The company does not train its "managers" on proper standards and procedures or even basic leadership practices. Minors work crazy hours at my location, I used to be a manager of a different establishment and know rules and laws of labor and Panera does not seem to follow 85% of those regulations. Panera does not have the ability to keep and maintain top talent, which is why you are surrounded by immature children or people who do not have half a brain. It is non-stop unprofessional conversations and actions, almost all of my management team smoked pot together and some of them actually had relations with underaged minors in my location. When the general manager found out about any of those inappropriate activities, he did nothing. Panera is a disgusting company to work for, if you have any self dignity and morales, DO NOT work here. Can't wait till I finish my last two weeks.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
6 July 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

fun environment, free food and drinks

Cons

its a fast food job

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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