This place CAN'T still be opened - Line Associate Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
Apr 24, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

erm... they bake fresh stuff?? (5 word minimum and all)

Cons

Not enough time or willingness to drole on and on, but: I work at the Memphis midtown Panera, and not a day goes by that their unprofessionalism doesn't completely FLOOR ME!! From keeping bonafide heroin addicts as well as young adukts who are awaiting their trial for attempted 2nd degree MURDER, we also have a wonderful and sickening array of MANAGERS who work 10 hour shifts, yet can't seem to do so without their every half hour trip to their cars to get their mandatory swig of vodka. Guys, if you want a job, all ya gotta do is apply online and show up for an interview. They'll promise you whatever you request, such as enough hours to pay actual real life bills, but "SURPRISE"... guess what? You will get NOTHING!! Hey! You can request the GM speaks with you about the atrocities, and he'll actually DENY MAKING THOSE PROMISES, or laugh and try to inject some weird reasoning such as, "well, see,.. our sales are down right now, so I must make cuts". I've taken over 80 pictures of this dump and admitted to doing so. (I wasn't written-up, but I was actually REPRIMANDED when the only reason I'd taken them was to TRY and inform the GM of all the reasons he should implement some sort of "plan" in case the city health department decided to pop in for a "visit". All-in-all, I can state that "I'm in total SHOCK that this place is still allowed to do business.".

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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