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 1,853 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 (90) , Assistant Manager (65) , 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 75 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 66 reviews)); "Fun work environment" ((in 60 reviews)); "Team within the store is great" ((in 50 reviews)); "Benefits were great." ((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 240 reviews)); "management is bad" ((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 61 reviews)); "get paid minimum wage" ((in 29 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

(1,772 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 1,772 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

Apr 7, 2015

Best place EVER!

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I absolutely loved working for Build-a-Bear despite the cons. It is a really fun environment. My manager was the kindest, most down to earth individual. You must like children as it is basically a children's store. I never walked into work and stayed in a bad mood as the people always cheer you up.

Cons

The contract is only 4 hours but you are normally given more depending on how well you work. The pay isn't the best. Holiday pay is paid to you as and when you earn the holiday hours which can be a bit of a pain. High turnover due to a lot of young people coming and going.

4.0

Apr 7, 2015

Good job but stressful. I loved working with Maxine and was lucky enough to be there in the early days at Headquarters.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits, generally good people there and not overly corporate

Cons

Some newer management is less than desirable- more about profit than people they work with. Not easy to work with.

5.0

Apr 6, 2015

Wonderful company with great values!

Chief workshop manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

BAB gives you all the tools to be successful. They really do care about their employees and it shows. Great core values! They believe in promoting from within; develops all workers. Work life balance is great! You get the payroll you need and they trust you to run your buisness like buisness owners!

Cons

I really can't say anything bad about working at BAB. Every day is a great day! If a position ever comes open, which they don't because people stay at bab forever, grab it! You won't regret it!

Viewing 1591 - 1593 of 1,772 Reviews

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