Build-A-Bear reviews

3.8

59% would recommend to a friend

(1,769 total reviews)

Sharon John

60% approve of CEO

51% positive business outlook

Build-A-Bear has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,769 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Build-A-Bear employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
3.0
May 27, 2024

My experience

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The staff were amazing to work with, it felt like I had a home away from home. It didn’t matter what position you held you were treated as an equal and always heard out by your fellow employees. It was also fun on slow days when we had to do floor set, you get paid to play dress up. It helps if you love the company/what you’re selling as well. My fellow bear builders were genuine people and I can only ever wish for the best for them.

Cons

I was offered a higher position and when I declined due to personal reasons they took it personally. Along with that we were never told how long we’d be working until it was time to clock out. When we’d ask in advance so we could either pick up a second job or plan around work, we were met with a brick wall. We’d be scheduled for 9+ hour days and get sent home after 2 hours if it was ‘too slow’. We were also going into daily tests essentially to see if we were following station standards, of which they were entirely too critical and didn’t care about you improving, just cared about getting after you. I’d ask questions on how to improve and got yelled at. When I did eventually quit, they threw away all my stuff that was in my locker, when I was going to pick it up after the weekend. This included things I bought personally and things that were gifts from other employees.

3.0
May 6, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you enjoy being outgoing and socializing with others, this job is a great fit. The employees are very involved of every step bear making. Management at my location is very understanding and not overbearing.

Cons

Communication from corporate could be clearer, especially with floor sets.

4.0
Apr 29, 2024

Fun place to work

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Amazing district manager, easy job, great environment to be im

Cons

Bad pay, yearly raises at a maximum of 4% for “exceeds expectations” only.

Viewing 61 - 63 of 1,769 Reviews

Glassdoor has 1,850 Build-A-Bear reviews submitted anonymously by Build-A-Bear employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Build-A-Bear is right for you.