Great Part Time Work, but that's about as far as you go - Associate Panera Bread Employee Review

3.0
Feb 11, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible scheduling, works well with college students to create very friendly environment. A great place to work on nights and weekends, as most locations do not stay open too late (rarely leaving after 10:30). Ability to transfer from [Corporate] location to location without a hitch.

Cons

Some of the biggest downsides of the company are the fact that there is little or no tuition reimbursement for collegiate associates, and little opportunity for upward movement after graduation. After putting upwards of 4 years into the company, my options are limited to putting more time into hourly work as a supervisor or leave.

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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