Don't waste your time if you're not a teenager - Prep Worker Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
Jul 8, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

free food, I got lucky and when they first opened I was permitted to work monday thru friday, don't ever expect this though, i got very lucky. there is honestly nothing else that is good about this place.

Cons

When you first get hired (if its a new store) They go through this big speel about how they are a family and that you as an employee matter, you get to try all of their products while you''re in training etc. Do not be fooled this whole act is exactly that just a big load of BULLCRAP. Management is crap, none of the managers I worked for are even at the store anymore, all have been fired, or quit, and that is just within a year. The management treats employees like crap because they get treated like crap form upper management, one of the worst jobs I have ever had. I got out of there as quick as I could. The pay is awful because they want a bunch of teenagers working there so thaqt they don't have to pay them much. They make you do everyone elses job if you work with lazy people, they don't get yelled at, you do for not picking up their slack, the work is repetitive and annoying, and even if you have a larger work load they scold you for not being faster. They allow employees to talk down to other employees which makes for a hostile work enviornment, the managers are literally never around, they complain and whine when they have to come work the line, they are childish and want to act like your buddies then yell at you for absolutely nothing. There is no room for advancement whatsoever, again they say they'll make you a trainer, for 25 cents more might I add, and then it never happens, if you call to complain to corporate you get interrigated by your district manager, if you become elidgeble for insurance, they will put it off so that you are not allowed to recieve it for 6 months after you are elidgeble for it. This company is absolutely awful, Don't work here.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jun 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

very flexible and accomodating to my school schedule

Cons

was very unorgaized at times which made things difficult

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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