Fine, unless you have children - Manager Panera Bread Employee Review

3.0
Nov 6, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

No fryers. Clean restaurants. Enjoyed interacting with regulars.

Cons

Felt like much of management was unsupportive of mothers. Several women who were reliable, good workers were not given raises or given smaller raises because they wouldn’t/couldn’t pick up extra shifts or overtime outside of their regular availability because they didn’t have childcare. When I was pregnant and had some health issues, I was still routinely scheduled as the only manager on duty, even when I was 9 months pregnant. Early in the pregnancy they assured me that as I approached my due date I would never be the only manager, because if I went into labor, I couldn’t leave the store with no manager. Their tune changed when I was 9 months along, and I would be scheduled solo. When I expressed concern, their solution was that if I went into labor I could call other nearby Paneras to find a manager who could cover for me so I could leave. Most locations are franchises, so culture may vary based on franchise ownership.

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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