Wonderful company to work for - Overnight Baker Panera Bread Employee Review

4.0
Jan 16, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I work as an overnight baker. The shift hours are very flexible(we pretty much get to work whatever nights we would like to work), the baker pay is wonderful, we get free food and coffee nightly, you don't have to work with customers so it's a quiet and laid back atmosphere, we get to listen to our own music during our shifts, lots of room to advance within the company.

Cons

The only downside is you are expected to get a lot done within just a few shift hours, you need to be great with time management to succeed in the bakery(there's no room for mistakes) and some end up feeling unappreciated by management for all that they do nightly.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
Feb 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

General manager is kind and helpful

Cons

Rude customers, drive thru is stressful

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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