Its really an easy job, but don't always expect recognition - Assistant Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

3.0
Feb 7, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

flexible 45 hour work week, free meals, tremendous growth opportunity.

Cons

Misleading hiring terms and Extreme favoritism on the store and area level. Basically, if your not in the favor of upper management or around when they are to see you, it doesn't help you no matter how hard you've worked for them. They single out kiss ass employees for promotions regardless of their ability or work ethic. which is pretty pathetic. My self and other former employees were promised rapid advancement and then left for dead after a short time.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Mar 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible scheduling Good co workers

Cons

High turnover Later work hours

3.0
Apr 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

GM at this location is very on top of things, because it's the busiest Panera in Queens. Consistent hours. Shifts go by very quickly, especially in the morning.

Cons

Location is extremely busy so it gets very stressful, especially in the morning when someone is out / there is no second cashier scheduled so the single cashier in the morning has to clean the coffee counter, refill coffees, make drinks, stick bagels in the oven & serve those bagels, check and bag up RPU/delivery orders, get bakery items for barista screen, and ring up customers. It can get really intense when many people come in, which is most of the time. You will be running back and forth like crazy. Customers can be impatient, rude, demeaning, and nasty when the line gets too long. Not recommended for people who are sensitive, with high anxiety. As for Panera the company, this chain keeps making bizarre and difficult changes to the menu, all of which make employees' lives harder and harder. With every change comes strange, dismaying, and borderline impossible expectations for frontline staff that cascade down through management who cannot do much to alter the hard policies. You can tell the company is struggling greatly to keep itself relevant with the younger crowd (a solid 80% of customers are old people). The CEO and everyone making company decisions at Panera is extremely out-of-touch. EXTREMELY. With every nonsensical menu & operations adjustment, you can tell these people haven't actually worked at a food service job in like 40 years.

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