Stressful, yet boring, with the added bonus of lazy and annoying co-workers. - Associate Trainer Panera Bread Employee Review

2.0
24 May 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

50 cent raise twice a year if you are borderline competent. It's a first job, don't end up like the 5 year associates that have nothing going on.

Cons

Management was on the whole incompetent. In the two years I worked at Panera 2 GMs were fired and one was demoted and transfered. 2 AMs were fired, one was transferred and then fired and one was promoted to GM and then fired. The only good managers I ever had were a lifer who had been there since the store opened and a transfer from another store. I never once saw a Shift Manager promoted to AM, they were all hired out of company. As far as I am concerned there was no possibility of promotion, especially with the amount of GM turnover.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
2 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

General manager is kind and helpful

Cons

Rude customers, drive thru is stressful

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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