Panera WILL walk all over you - Cashier Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
Mar 31, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Management has a knack for hiring awesome people. I loved all of my coworkers. Panera also attracts a lot of regulars, so you're able to have relationships with certain customers, which makes working a lot more enjoyable.

Cons

They give cashiers no power, which in turn gives them no way to fix simple mistakes without a manager's help. For example, deleting an item such as a soda requires a manager's approval if you went to the pay screen and returned to the screen where you can put orders in. Things like that makes problems with simple solutions take forever to solve. There is also no consistent raises. DONT WORK HERE IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO WORK LONGTERM. I worked there for a year and never once got a raise, even though I was told I was getting two. I completely wasted my time, when I could have worked somewhere that valued employees who were knowledgeable and good at their job. In addition, all the managers I have encountered (quite a few) were mean. But of course, that just depends on what store you work at. The cafe that I worked at was constantly understaffed, which resulted in constantly being overworked. I've worked 12 hour days when I was only scheduled for 4 due to call outs. Perks are also few and far between. Besides free drinks, food is discounted 50% (discount varies) only 30 minutes before, during, or 30 minutes after my shift. Even when I unexpected worked 8+ hours, I wasn't compensated with a free meal.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jul 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Everything is great here! The food, the people, the atmosphere. It’s a wholesome company.

Cons

Have only had good experiences here.

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.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All