Panera Bread Employer Reviews

A typical day is hectic, especially Saturdays. My co-workers are incredible, very hardworking. The hardest part to the job is just remembering the little things, but you catch on quickly. I love the every day customers!

A typical day at work consist of many things. I was fully trained at panera so it really depended on which station i was assigned. I learned everything i know about food from panera. Management here was great. Easy going people who just love satisfying the customers. The co-workers were a younger crowd of people who made the work hours go by so fast. – more... The hardest part of my job was honestly clocking out, Everyone i worked with was my friend and i honestly enjoyed working with them. The most enjoyable part of the job was baking the bread. – less

I love how they donate all the bakery stuff at the end of each day instead of throwing it away. And it was just a good experience.

take orders, jump onto "the line" (make or consolidate orders), run plates, bus and dish as needed

Minus the fact that pay is on the low side, and they had a big management change during my employment that wasn't going so smoothly (To their credit, I was only there for two weeks of the change.), it's a great place to work.

They provided training the moment you're hired, so you'll be ready wherever you are needed. The customers are usually regulars so they are often friendly very friendly. The managers and coworkers are really great to work with. But it is important to really let them what's going on with your schedule so they can compromise with you.

There was an attitude that accepted age discrimination. I was underemployed and not considered for any kind of advancement. I do like that some of their stores have a pay as you can program for the low income people in the area.

Panera demands a lot out of its workers - in some places you can get slow periods and downtime, but in Panera you have to work fast, and work constantly. This isn't a bad thing, it was satisfying really, but it is tiring.

Most of the management knows how to run things smoothly, and they expect you to make dozens of mistakes if you are new, talking – more... you through how to work 'right' with patience. But there is a lot to pay attention to - Things must be done in the right priority or you'll be yelled at. They take food safety and sanitation very seriously, don't EVER rush food prep too much and screw up. Don't neglect the coffee if you work the floor.

There isn't much corporate culture that makes no sense or is frustrating to work with (A little, but not much). Example, the coffee should never be more than an hour old (though it's usually about an hour and a half at any given time). Even if it's still full, you are supposed to dump it and re-brew after an hour.

My coworkers were relatively kind and calm, though I earned a little derision for having a relatively well-off family. There's a lot of emphasis on customer service - accidentally being rude to a customer will see your hours reduced. – less

A typical day at work would usually consist of coming in either morning/night, opening up and making sure everything is ready for service and then making sure you are always smiling,and make sure customers are happy and satisfied with the food as served.

You have to start somewhere. Working at the bottom is a great life experience. You'll learn a lot about customer service and if you're lucky you might pick up a thing or two about management. Otherwise it's a great way to earn some cash while you go to college. I picked up skills on training people to do a job, 80% of whom moved on to training others – more... as well. – less

Panera Bread is a fun fast pace place to work. However you can advance but there is no real benifits to advancing in your career.As you must be general manager to have medical etc.

great bread baked daily, healthy alternative to the fast food world

I love working here the customers are great. It feel as though its my second home.

I had many different jobs during my time at Panera, my primary job was to manage an take care of the dining room. To make sure everything was kept up and the customers were satisfied. The biggest thing I leaned at Panera was face to face customer service. I learned how to deal with different attitudes and how to handle many different situations.

Overall, I lovee working at Panera. I have worked at three different cafes and I will be moving to a 4th one soon. I love that it is a good job, and if you work hard and do a good job, you will be first pick for hours. The food is amazing and the values held in the company are awesome. My co-workers are great and most of us get along really well at – more... work and outside work.
The cons are that you have short breaks, and if we get busy in the store, your break gets cut shorter. If you ask for the day off, you are unlikely to get it unless you hound the GM about it. Your request is supposed to go in the book, but you can't put it in there if the managers can't find the book. Also, be prepared to work double shifts or work crazy hours since most of the employees are college kids. If your not one of the college kids, you basically get the crazy left over hours. And don't bother to ask for time off during midterms, exams or graduation times. If your not in school, you won't get it off.
And unless your are management or full time, you don't have the option to pay for health insurance.
Lastly, if you work for a franchise,don't expect a raise. Corporate will give you a raise every time you learn a new position.

But overall it's a company that you can feel good about and be happy to work there. – less

Managers are mean. Its a very busy workplace. Sometimes i would have 9 hour shifts with no break. If someone was late you would have to stay at work until they arrived even if you had somewhere to be. Nothing was enjoyable and you get paid minimum wage and have to perform hard work.

Job was from 6am to 2:30pm,worked well with co-workers,the hardest part of job was being in the freezer for a certain amount of time. What i liked most about the job was when we had our busy days,love working at a fast pace.

I am a morning worker, so i have the 6am to 2pm shift. We get several breakfast rushes before our slow point before lunch. Thats when we take the opportunity to stock up and prep anything ahead of time. Our lunch rush lasts from about 12:00 to 2:30 and is out the door the whole time. We are busy! While taking Phone in orders and then dining in customers – more... plus making sure everything stays stocked and all peoples needs are met can be quite a challenge. – less

A typical day at work would usually consist of coming in either morning/night, opening up and making sure everything is ready for service and then making sure you are always smiling. From managment i learned that i would defiantly like to see myself in a position like that one day being able to run a group of poeple. My co-workers work mostly my age – more... kids in high school/ college. The hardest part of the job was working with nasty customers but you just have to remember that you could be the brightest part of there day so just stay string and always keep a smile on your face. The most enjoyable part is knowing that i have knowledge of a lot more than credited for so i hope that i can move up a little if i continue working for them. – less

it was a while ago that i worked here so i dont remember much, but the training procedures werent followed through with an a lot of accidents happened that couldve been easily prevented.