Okay job but depends on location - Overnight Baker Panera Bread Employee Review

3.0
25 Apr 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Decent Pay -Solo Work This job isn't too bad once you get into the swing of things. After training, once I started flying solo, I got into my own flow. And I could be in and out of there within the span of six hours. May spend some extra time cleaning if I have the time.

Cons

-Terrible Management -Workload -Disgusting Cafe (Location Based) -Inconsiderate Co workers -No time for breaks This is definitely dependent on location but management was very poor. The store they put me, was the one where no one wanted to work. It didn't take me long to find out why either. I would come in, and the place was disgusting. Bakers station was a complete mess and racks and pans were everywhere. Asked closing managers to help make sure at least that was tidy since the day workers use the baker station but even that couldn't be communicated down the line. Often ended up cleaning up after closing shift after my bake pretty much every night. It does suck when someone works the night before you and they don't pan up. You spend an extra 15 minutes prepping before you can bake. And at my location, I already have to clean behind closing shift, because they just don't finish cleaning. The workload can be daunting. My store has a sizable . Lots of bake gone right into the trash. Beagle Tuesday and truck nights mean you have to work at the speed of light. Which means you have no time for breaks. You really need to be on point with managing you time as you have no one to tell you what to do and when to do things.

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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