Panera is a great place to work part-time and enjoy what you do. - Associate Panera Bread Employee Review

4.0
Jun 11, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I think the atmosphere overall is very upbeat and positive. One cannot always be proud to work at a food service place, but the aspect of the healthy-themed food along with not being enslaved to any sort of fryer is a very positive aspect of having a job such as this.

Cons

The compensation is rather small for the amount of work that is needed from me and my fellow associates. I also know that lower-level management does not make near as much as they deserve to make. Also, there are typically many, many employees which leads to no one employee being granted enough work time per week to make a decent living wage.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jun 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Easy to get hired as a high school student Flexible hours if you communicate well

Cons

You’re expected to be super “yay Panera!”

3.0
Jul 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Hourly rate so anything over 40 hrs is 1.5x your pay rate. Customers can be really great

Cons

Poor leadership. Corporate does not seem to take care of employees working in the cafes or support roles. I worked for the company for over 20 years and had a great relationship with my DRO and GM and my raise (I got 1 raise over a 2 year period) was $.85. That’s less than a .35% increase and is basically insulting. The company needs to Realize if they wants their goals met, they need to show appreciate to those trying to achieve them.

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