Not a good company to work for if you want a work-life balance. - General Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

2.0
Jun 21, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay for GMs (at least now that they've updated the base pay) Semi-decent benefits LGBTQ+ friendly Coworkers are like family if you've been there long enough Internal career growth is very common

Cons

ZERO work-life balance Unrealistic standards for metrics Stressful work environment Pay for associates is not near competitive enough Leadership is out of touch with ACTUAL day-to-day cafe operations Poor communication on company-wide operations changes or rollouts of new processes Scheduling is NOT as flexible as the company claims

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
May 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Free shift meals for employees

Cons

Many high stress rush hours

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.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All