Started out well, company lost sight of what made them successful. They got greedy. - Assistant Store Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

2.0
6 Jan 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

During college, I was able to work full time and go to school full time. They are fairly flexible as an employer in regards to schedule.

Cons

The hours are terrible, you have to work nearly every holiday. They removed/reduced bonuses without telling us and slowly took away freedoms. I could no longer give employees well deserved raises without regional director approval, which means I could not give them raises. I lost many employees to very mediocre companies and I would have to now say Panera is mediocre. They began cutting corners with quality several years ago.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
12 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great people management treats you well

Cons

Hours inconsistent pay is low

3.0
18 Apr 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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