It paid the bills if I gave up my friends - Sales Associate Panera Bread Employee Review

3.0
Mar 27, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some stores are very understaffed so its easy to pick up hours.

Cons

Only offer part time, the only people allowed to achieve 40 hours or more are managers. You get sent home if you hit 37 hours. A lot of time on your feet standing in one spot.

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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