Good place to work if you can handle fast-paced, team-based environments. - Associate Panera Bread Employee Review

4.0
Sep 7, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people are the best reason to work for Panera Bread. You depend on your co-workers to do their part, and you need to do yours in order to have a successful bakery-cafe. This creates a team atmosphere and everyone benefits from this positive environment.

Cons

If someone doesn't do their share, we all get behind. Working at a Panera needs to be like a well-oiled machine. I would roughly compare it to an assembly line. All of the kinks need to be smoothed out and everything needs to flow together. Otherwise one area gets behind and the rest will undoubtedly follow.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jun 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Easy to get hired as a high school student Flexible hours if you communicate well

Cons

You’re expected to be super “yay Panera!”

3.0
Jul 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Hourly rate so anything over 40 hrs is 1.5x your pay rate. Customers can be really great

Cons

Poor leadership. Corporate does not seem to take care of employees working in the cafes or support roles. I worked for the company for over 20 years and had a great relationship with my DRO and GM and my raise (I got 1 raise over a 2 year period) was $.85. That’s less than a .35% increase and is basically insulting. The company needs to Realize if they wants their goals met, they need to show appreciate to those trying to achieve them.

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