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 1,852 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 (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 77 reviews)); "Most coworkers were great to work with." ((in 68 reviews)); "Great team to work with." ((in 55 reviews)); "Great environment to work in" ((in 30 reviews)); "Benefits were great." ((in 29 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 219 reviews)); "management is bad" ((in 99 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 62 reviews)); "Pays minimum wage and very hard to love up" ((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

(1,771 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 1,771 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

2.0

Jan 9, 2015

Bear Builder

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

- Make kids happy everyday - Dress up weekends (in costumes) - Annual pay raise based on performance

Cons

- So many on calls, never know if I'm actually going to work - Not a good way to pay the bills - I asked for more hours and was told I need to budget better - The only way to get promoted was if you constantly kissed up to the manager - Gets kind of gossipy - Tell me when my performance is down but not how to improve - Want you to sell something at every step but not be pushy

5.0

Jan 8, 2015

Fun atmosphere

Bear builder

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible schedule. Great customer base.

Cons

Not enough hours to maintain lifestyle.

3.0

Dec 14, 2014

Decent Place To Work

Sales associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Build A Bear was a fun and interesting job. I enjoyed that they encouraged you to sell more and sign people up for memberships by rewarding you yet didn't really place excessive pressure on sales. Really enjoyed talking to the children and families who came in. You sometimes start to see a lot of regulars. Laid back atmosphere. Friendly customers. Flexible hours. I had no trouble requesting time off. Do well at your job and you will be rewarded for it.

Cons

It can get EXTREMELY crowded on the weekends and this can get kind of stressful if you're on stuff machine. Co-workers kind of cliquey but it's nothing that will really distract from your job. Managers are immature. They are also TERRIBLE at handling a last minute emergency. If you ever call-in they have trouble replacing you and management may become rude to you and hold it against you. Had a great relationship with management until I called in sick once. After that I was constantly spoken down to and disrespected.

Viewing 196 - 198 of 1,771 Reviews

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