Misleading First Impression - Assistant Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

2.0
May 14, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Panera's reputation for community involvement You get a paycheck Some of the customers and employees are extremely nice They close at 9pm so no late late nights

Cons

You have to ask yourself, why are there so many job openings for managers at Panera Bread? Well, let me tell you...it is because managers are quitting, not getting fired (for the most part). Assistant Managers are treated like expendable trash at Panera Bread. We are expected to work AT LEAST 50 hours a week (although they tell you 45 when you interview, don't believe that). If you request time off your GM will give you attitude and grief about it because that means they may actually have to do some work in your absence! Speaking of GMs they are not required to work nights or weekends, so guess who's social life is ruined...that's right..yours! The associates are either treated like crap or royalty depending on how much the GM likes them. So if they are bffs with the GM, which happens often, then they get away with murder but if the GM has some sort of issue with them then they are walking on eggshells no matter how great of a job they do. If you are an experienced manager DO NOT APPLY TO WORK AT PANERA BREAD UNLESS YOU ARE ONE STEP AWAY FROM BEING HOMELESS AND HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS! You only get promoted because of who you know and if they like you! Competance and hardwork are irrelevant! I cannot wait for the day a submit my two weeks notice, it is already typed and ready to go!

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jun 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

very flexible and accomodating to my school schedule

Cons

was very unorgaized at times which made things difficult

3.0
Apr 18, 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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