I applied online. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Panera Bread (New York, NY) in Sep 2015
Interview
I filled out an easy 10-15 minute application on the Panera Bread website. At first I didn't really get a call or an email for an interview, so I called the restaurant that I applied to and talked to the GM. The GM gave me an interview for the following week once I called. The first interview, I admit I was nervous, BUT you shouldn't be, the mangers were really nice and understanding of new hires and high school students. At the end of the interview the hiring manager told me to come in tomorrow for a follow up meeting with the one of the other general mangers. Now for some reason, I got a double interview, but some people can get the job the first interview or get an email or phone call later in the week. The next interview was a lot easier than the first and the GM was again very nice. We went over the basics and I got the job.
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