Much more than I expected. - Associate Panera Bread Employee Review

1.0
19 Oct 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The discounts given on food.

Cons

During my interview, I made it very clear that I was extremely busy during the school year and would only be available to work weekends, which they said they would work with. However, this was not the case, as they scheduled me 30 HOURS (I am a high school student) A WEEK, on top of going to school for 8-10 hours 5 days a week. I complained multiple times, but they continued to schedule me until I wrote down in the "time off" book, as they call it, every single day I needed off. The management is not understanding in the least. They manipulate you, they guilt trip you, they abuse your employee status by making you feel as if you'll lose your job if you are unable to work a shift that they scheduled you for, even after telling them that you can only work specific times - which, honestly is not a loss at all. Also, they don't care in the least about your availability. My Monday - Friday availability was 5 P.M. to 10 P.M., and they constantly scheduled me at 3, then they'd get angry that I couldn't show up. Uh..! More on the management, I had to call into work because I was unable to make a shift for a very good reason, and they got angry at me. So, to get back at me - yes, you read that right - they decided to not schedule me for 8 DAYS as "punishment" (although, it wasn't much of a punishment since I actually had free time). They are not understanding in the least, they don't care about any of their employees, and they're all extremely disorganized when it comes to scheduling. Don't even get me started on the racism in the place. There was a girl who quit because a co-worker called her a racial slur, and the management MADE FUN OF THE GIRL FOR QUITTING. This environment is toxic, the co-workers are rude and negative so the experience is always awful, and overall, I would not recommend getting a job here, unless you like being overworked and underpaid, on top of being unappreciated.

Explore other reviews about Panera Bread

5.0
12 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great people management treats you well

Cons

Hours inconsistent pay is low

3.0
18 Apr 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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