Field Systems Coordinator - Anonymous employee Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
Nov 9, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I grew up with Bread Co having worked there 14 years. When the business first began, it was an absolute awesome, fun and respectable place to work. The employees were also treated remarkably.

Cons

Over the years Panera has turned over to the shareholders. Meaning everyone is replaceable because all they want to see is profit. Hard working, long term employees most of which I worked with have since left because of the drastic pay cuts, horrible hours and working conditions. Year after year they slowly took away benefit after benefit. We used to get paid 1.5x for holidays, some we got paid and didn't work because we were closed...you know bc it's a holiday. Most recently the last winter storm putting us in a state of emergency they demanded we keep the doors open. Anything to sell a bagel right? Even our lives. We decided to shut the doors a few hours later and we're stuck in 12inches of snow--none of which the company assisted with. Including accidents and injuries.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jun 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people management treats you well

Cons

Hours inconsistent pay is low

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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