Pros
I had a great team and loved working with the kids that came in! I used to love running kids parties, though party hosting is not for everyone. You have to be confident and loud, or at least know how to fake it! It was an hour of playing games and really having fun with the kids. Build a bear definitely isn't you're standard sales job. I was given a lot more responsibility than other bear builders, like training new recruits, which for me was great, even if it was all unofficial.
Cons
They pay is appaling for what is expected. You're not just a sales associate, you're a bear builder, an entertainer, a party planner and host, a cleaner, etc. My area manager hated my store, we were constantly being belittled, even when we were often the best or second best performing in the district! Yet her favourite managers and stores could do no wrong. There is no clear training programme, the stores are provided with uninformative training videos and a work booklet. The level of your training depends on your store and managers. The contracts are unstable, you can go from 4 hours one week to 30-odd the next. Finally, the company assesses and grades you like a school child, not in an encouraging way. There is a script and order you're expected to adhere to at every station, but get marked down for sounding scripted. You really need to be resilient to work for BAB, take everything with a pinch a salt and pray for a good team and managers. Don't expect to make a career out of it.