Would not recommend to anyone, especially if looking for a first job. - Anonymous employee Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
Oct 10, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1) Easy and efficient to take time off, not too strict about it as long as it’s done in advance 2) Free meals & pastries 3) Many shift options

Cons

- Not so great coworkers, many who are hired simply because they know someone in management. - Expects entirely too much of employees especially part time employees, little to no training to expect you to do several jobs at once - Lazy, inappropriate, and often self preserving managers, don’t take employee complaints seriously - Not respectful of employees stated availability (EX: Will call students (those who have input that they can not work during school hours) to come in to cover shifts during school hours - Breaks are skipped a lot even when legally required, for the sake of having as many people on the line when busy as possible - Extremely lenient with threatening customers, not concerned with team member safety - Do not address violent coworkers/employees once again for the sake of having as many hands on deck as possible - Unequal employee distribution (very few line employees, far too many cashiers) - Filthy BOH, with no attempts at cleaning - Constantly schedule over previously approved time off, then attempt to penalize team members - Do NOT take sexual harassment seriously, especially against young girls in the workplace

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jul 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working here was very fun. I loved working with coworkers around the same age. Management was also nice as they were flexible with issues and scheduling.

Cons

Working Cashier as well as Barista was a little stressful at times but it was part of the job.

3.0
Apr 18, 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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