I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Panera Bread in Jun 2016
Interview
There was an interview with the assistant manager and then the general manager later the same day. The interview itself went well, I was offered a drink and I was made comfortable. The manager said that I was definitely an interest and that he WOULD call me back, and for me to call back if he didn't. I did call back a week later, after not hearing from the GM. Again, he said he would call me back. He didn't. A few days later, I called again. He told me on the phone that "the manager looking into your position isn't here, and he will call you back." However, I know it was the GM that had done my final interview as I could tell by the name he gave me and the voice.
They just gave me a tour of back of house, told me how it is for employees, and asked about my availability to get me scheduled. Very easy, but maybe easier than normal as I was a high schooler at the time.
You may get a phone call from a hiring manager or recruiter to confirm basic details like availability and interest.
Some stores skip the phone call and go straight to an in-person chat.
This step is usually short and casual.
In-Person Interview
This is the core part of the process for an associate role:
What to expect:
A one-on-one interview with a manager or shift leader at the café.
It’s often informal and brief—many candidates report it lasting about 10–20 minutes or less.
In some cases, a group interview might be used first, especially if hiring multiple people.
Typical interview topics:
Your availability and schedule.
Customer service and teamwork experience.
Why you want to work at Panera.
How you handle busy situations or customer issues.
Which part of the job appeals to you most.
Typical vibe: relaxed, conversational, and focused on personality and fit more than technical skills.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How you handle busy situations or customer issues.
my interview was a very very simple interview they just asked why you would wanted to work there, availability, cross training, what position you wanted, etc. It was very easy and kind people at panera bread