What a shame - Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

2.0
Oct 1, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They donate the unsold baked goods to shelters at the close of business. The products used to make the food are high quality.

Cons

The upper management of the Covelli Franchises are ruthless and inhumane to their managers and each other. As a manager I was paid for 40hrs a week but never worked fewer then 60, with no additional pay or reward. They were experts at making big promises only to never fulfill them. The crucial point is how unprofessionally they treat their managers, I was cursed at, called on my personal cell phone at all hours of the day and night, expected to make runs to other stores on my own time using my own car and gas without even a tiny glimmer of appreciation. The turnover rate for managers was extremely high, I lasted two years, far longer then most. It wasn't unusual to see a manager break down and walk off the job. Character assassination at it's worst. Finally, the actual food knowledge of the upper management was laughable. A superior of mine was in the location I managed for a quality check, I explained to her the the steam table was running too hot and breaking the soups. She had no idea what I meant.... this was my boss. Ugh.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
May 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people with good morals and values. Fun work environment. Great food fresh ingredients.

Cons

Be careful not to burn yourself while baking bread. Can gain a lot of weight eating bread 😆

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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