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 76 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 67 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Team within the store is great" ((in 51 reviews)); "Benefits were great." ((in 34 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 243 reviews)); "management is bad" ((in 99 reviews)); "If you do get promoted from associate manager to assistant manager you get another dollar." ((in 62 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

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Build-A-Bear

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 category

3.9

Diversity & inclusion

3.7

Culture & values

3.6

Work/Life balance

3.3

Senior management

3.1

Career opportunities

2.8

Compensation and benefits

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).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

2K reviews

5.0

Mar 16, 2018

Assistant Manager

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Positive work environment. Great coaching

Cons

Limited transfer options. Unappealing uniform.

5.0

Mar 5, 2018

Loved it

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great atmosphere! Fun place to work in, interaction with people on a daily basis and hands on activity with them too. Great to make experiences with each one!

Cons

Management changed and there was trouble, which was the reason I left

4.0

Feb 16, 2018

A fun place to work

Chief workshop manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Build a bear 🐻 is an amazing company to work for because of a lot of great core values that they do attempt to uphold. There is a freedom to learn but only if you are willing to show that you want to. I’ve never worked for a company that is more fun than this one but I do believe that is something management has to build within their stores. Due to the expectations to make goals that cannot be tha majority concern of the associates or part time management due to their low wages.

Cons

Low wages. Sadly in hard times companies choose where to cut and BAB chose to cut payroll and continue to do so. Low wages mean less talent and if you know the motto of build a bear for success talent is at the top. The wages have gotten lower but the expectations have gotten higher. Bad decisions are being made from the larger corporate side of the company without finding out if these methods would actually work with stores. I think their is a disconnect between what they want to happen and reality of killing your customer following. They are also flooding their market with excessive product and unwilling to take an feedback or creative ideas from store employees.

Viewing 154 - 156 of 1,770 Reviews

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