Disappointing and dissatisfying job that could really be a good career if franchise was ran differently. - Assistant Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

2.0
Feb 7, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you can handle Panera, you can definately handle working at any other place. Benefits and health insurance are pretty good. Two days off a week, about 50 hours per week, which is not bad for a salaried manager.

Cons

At least at the one I work at, people are many times hired for the way that they look, not for the experience they may possess. Advancement opportunities are few and far between. Many times managers are not even made aware of future promotion positions until after someone else has already been chosen, many times an employee with less time with the company. Starting salary is much less with franchise stores compared to corporate owned stores.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jan 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Worked with college students so it was fun.

Cons

They fire people at the drop of a hat.

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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