Benefits are decent... - Team Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

3.0
May 22, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Relatively good benefits available at many levels including medical, vision, dental, short and long term disability, critical illness, legal, fully vested 401k with 100% company match up to 4%. Two weeks of vacation in first year, 3 weeks at 5 years, and 4 weeks at 10 years.

Cons

New CEO came in with extensive experience in turning around "failing restaurant brands," and eliminated much of the catering team, which was rather profitable??? Also changed responsibilities significantly to those who remained??? High expectations, wildly varying schedules from 4am to 11:30pm, nights, weekends, holidays, never a set schedule. No stock options (not for years now, since became acquired by private holding company, JAB, in 2017). Minimal bonuses at Team Manager level. Corporate doesn't seem to care about work/life balance as much as they claim to, and I've been with the company long enough to remember when they did!

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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