Is Build-A-Bear a good company to work for?

Build-A-Bear has an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5, based on over 1,851 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has increased by 2% over the last 12 months. 59% of employees would recommend working at Build-A-Bear to a friend and 51% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Build-A-Bear have been left by employees working as Master Bear Builder , Manager and Associate .

Does Build-A-Bear pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Build-A-Bear employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Build-A-Bear. This rating has improved by 2% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Build-A-Bear?

59% of Build-A-Bear employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Build-A-Bear 3.6 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.7 for culture and values and 3.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Build-A-Bear?

Bear Builder (394) , Sales Associate (238) , Sales Lead (93) , Sales Assistant/Bear Builder (89) , Assistant Manager (64) , Chief Workshop Manager (41) , Store Manager (39) , Assistant Workshop Manager (34) , Retail Sales Associate (32) , Sales Assistant (32) , Associate Manager (29) , Bear Builder Associate (21) , Associate Workshop Manager (19) , Manager (18) , Associate (17)

What are the pros of working at Build-A-Bear according to real employee reviews?

"Great for people not in college as there were shifts available during the week and was able to work a 2nd job alongside" ((in 73 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 71 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Fun and Friendly Staff" ((in 50 reviews)); "they have really good benefits" ((in 33 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Build-A-Bear according to real employee reviews?

"Pay is low and its not enough for the amount of times you're being used by your managers" ((in 239 reviews)); "Vert short staffed and management poor" ((in 103 reviews)); "If you do get promoted from associate manager to assistant manager you get another dollar." ((in 64 reviews)); "Long hours or hours getting cut if it was quiet" ((in 58 reviews)); "Minimum wage and even when I was offered tips from guests I wasn't allowed to accept them." ((in 31 reviews))

What are employees saying about Build-A-Bear layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Build-A-Bear layoffs and their outlook for job security at Build-A-Bear in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Build-A-Bear locations?

Saint Louis , New York , Houston , Atlanta , Nashville , Chicago , Dallas , San Antonio , Orlando , Boston , Freehold , Fairfax , Los Angeles , Las Vegas , Richmond , Albany , Tulsa , Indianapolis , Columbus , Anaheim , Jacksonville , Miami , Greensboro , Raleigh , Austin , Franklin , Toledo , San Diego , Overland Park , Pittsburgh

Build-A-Bear reviews

3.8

59% would recommend to a friend

(1,770 total reviews)

Sharon John

60% approve of CEO

51% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Build-A-Bear has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,770 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

Jan 15, 2020

Bear Builder

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Fun times with the kiddos that came in, making customers smile, operating the stuffer machine

Cons

Not enough hours to go around, terrible management liked to hang out in the office while we busted it out on the floor

4.0

Nov 8, 2019

Opportunities to move up and a great way to meet people

Assistant workshop manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Full time has benefits, management is very understanding and a decent discount.

Cons

The pay is very low for a demanding job, the technology is very outdated, corporate isn't very diligent with thinking of the outcomes for store associates with planning events. A lot of poor planning that leaves the store associates to take on the consequences. Events like Pay Your Age. The company has policies that are very vague and are left open to interpretation and when policies are broken there's no repercussion. Usually just a "Don't do that"

2.0

Nov 1, 2019

Company Without Heart

Sales lead

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Meet new people every day

Cons

Minimum wage for Disney level customer service. Healthcare benefits were cut. Corporate is incompetent and seems to make the wrong choice at every turn. Weekly performance evaluations even though you are getting paid the minimum wage. Unattainable sales goals. Intentionally misleading promotions lead to angry customers.

Viewing 124 - 126 of 1,770 Reviews

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Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Bear Builder

Opportunities to move up and a great way to meet people

Company Without Heart

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