Don't judge a book by it's cover - Cashier Panera Bread Employee Review

2.0
Sep 8, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Co-workers are the best. They truly are great people and fun to work with. The food is pretty good.

Cons

HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!! Except for the few good ones the management is awful. You only get 65% off during your scheduled work hours other wise it's a minuscule 20%. You don't get employee discounts at other cares. Be prepared to work long hours for no pay. They don't hire enough people so they can save money and have you do 3 jobs at once. The more you know about your job the more they will abuse you. Making you work long hours, they never let you leave at your scheduled time they always ALWAYS keep you over. Have fun asking for time off because that rarely happens. If you are sick or truly can't come into work...good luck finding a cover because they are so understaffed. Oh and good luck trying to get a raise. You could be the best of the best and you still won't get it.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jul 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working here was very fun. I loved working with coworkers around the same age. Management was also nice as they were flexible with issues and scheduling.

Cons

Working Cashier as well as Barista was a little stressful at times but it was part of the job.

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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