This company is a joke - Anonymous employee Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
Jun 25, 2012
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I liked how they donated the left over bakery goods even though sometimes they would sit in the shed for a few days when it was 90 degrees outside. A few regular customers were very nice and offered us tips that we weren't allowed to take.

Cons

Management was flat out childish. I was 16 when I worked there and my maturity level seemed much higher then most of theirs. Especially my store manager he was usually never there and when he was he just sat in the managers office. Lots of the shift managers think this is okay too, once I went to ask one of my especially worthless managers for more ones because I was out (when they sat in the "office" they locked the doors) I knocked on the door and saw her eating 2 sandwiches and a bowl of soup (even though several employees had been fired for stealing food or eating @n the clock) she was also listening to itunes on the companies computer. The same manager once made me wait 20 minutes with a customer to get more change. I could go on for days but to sum it up this job is a joke and you're expected ti be paneras slave. No hours when your free but tons if hours when you need a day off. Dont expect to get any promotions either unless your a managers favorite. Training is horrible. People would sit in the drive thrum for over 10 minutes some days only to get the wrong order because there is no communication between employees unless there friends. Lots of drama between all the employees most if them were flat out rude. Basically I'm telling you do not work here unless your about to go bankrupt or enjoy a high school cliquey enviornment. I would rather file for unemployment. Oh and forget about a "break " we didn't even have a breakroom!

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Jan 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Simple, easy work, doesn't require much energy.

Cons

Had to pay for food as an employee and cutting bagels was annoying.

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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