Panera Bread Careers: Jobs, Employment Details & Interview Questions

Panera Bread Facts

Since inception, after several years of exploration and development, Panera Bread, focusing on quality, commitment to provide consumers with high quality products, has become the dominant operator within the bakery-cafe category. With over 1,946 bakery-cafes in the Panera Bread family, and more opening all the time, it’s no wonder that Panera Bread has been an excellent source of career and personal growth opportunities for more than 25 years. There are thousands of employees including 22,700 who work at least 25 hours per week spreading in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and in Ontario Canada.

​How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Panera Bread:

Minimum age to work at Panera Bread is 16 years old.

Panera Bread Hours:

Mon - Sun: 6:00am - 10:00pm 

Hours of Operation may vary by location. During the busy holiday season, their hours are subject to change. Please call your local bakery-cafe to confirm.

Panera Bread Number of Stores:

1,946

Panera Bread Number of Employees:

40,100

Job Types that Panera Bread Offers:

Full-time, Part-time, Internship, Contract, Temporary, Commission, Hourly

Printable Panera Bread Application Form:

YES, Free Printable Panera Bread Application Form

Panera Bread Job Openings

A variety of job openings offered by Panera Bread are listed as follows. Detailed information differs from store to store.

Restaurant Manager, Customer Service Associate, Production Associate, Line Cook, Prep Cook, Assistant Manager, Catering Supervisor, Catering Coordinator, Night Baker, Day Baker, Delivery Team Member/Delivery Driver, Shift Supervisor, Cafe Hourly Associate, Overnight Baker, Bakery Production Associate, Cashier, General Manager, Management, Production Zone Leader, Certified Baker Trainer, Bakery-Cafe Associates, Bakery Market Manager, Joint Venture General Manager, Joint Venture Partner, Regional Catering Sales Manager, Regional Baking Operations Manager, Drivers, Production & Sanitation Associates, etc.

Search Panera Bread job openings

Panera Bread Salary

Panera Bread Employee Benefits

Employees working in Panera Bread have varied backgrounds, just like their valued guests. Panera Bread’s benefit programs are designed for different stages of life and career to meet everyone’s unique journey. Panera Bread allows their associates to choose from a variety of options to fit their individual needs according to their diverse family needs.
Panera Bread offers:

• Competitive Pay. Average Panera Bread hourly pay and salary vary among different positions.
• Health and Related Benefits – multiple options include medical, dental, vision and supplemental programs such as life and disability.
• 401(k) Plan, with a company match after one year of employment.
• Discounted Stock Purchase Plan. The ESPP gives eligible employees the option to purchase Class A Common Stock through payroll deduction, which typically may not exceed 10% of an employee’s prior year compensation at 85% of the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock at the time the option is exercised.
• Paid Time Off.
• Panera Meal Discount. The employee discount was around 60-65% but only during your shift. You aren't supposed to use your discount on food for anyone other than yourself. 
• Discount Programs - includes merchandise and services.
• Employee Assistance Program.

How to Save More at Panera Bread

Panera Bread regularly provides a variety of offers. Want to spend less to buy your favorite products? Look up the latest Panera Bread Coupons on Couponbirds.

How to Apply at Panera Bread

1. Application Form: You can download the Panera Bread job application form at www.myjobapps.com/panera.pdf, fill it out and attach a resume with it when you apply for employment at any Panera Bread Hiring Kiosk. Find a Panera Bread Store near you.
2. Apply Online: Search for current job opportunities at panerapeople.com, you need to login for the Panera Bread online application first and make sure you have approximately 15 minutes to complete the online application. You will have the opportunity to upload or create a resume as well as answer some brief questions on the entire application process. 

Panera Bread Application Online

Panera Bread Interview Tips

As any serious job-hunter knows, it helps to dress smartly and smile at that all-important interview. You may arrive 5 to 10 minutes early (no earlier than 10 minutes, though) and tell the receptionist that you have an appointment with the interviewer, but that you realize you are a few minutes early. You'll usually be told to have a seat somewhere and wait until the interviewer can see you. You'll most definitely be asked how flexible your schedule is, for they are hoping that you are "flexible" and can work evenings, weekends and possibly holidays. You’d better not to ask about salary until the very end of the interview unless the subject is brought up earlier. Or you can say something like “salary is negotiable” as to not overbid or underbid. Don't freak out. Smile. The things places like Panera Bread are interested in are things like punctuality, reliability (young workers tend to struggle with stuff like that), schedule availability and the potential to learn customer service skills (being up-beat and positive). Do a practice run with your job interview outfit in front of friends.

Panera Bread ​Interview Questions

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. What do you do to make customers feel special?
3. Why do you want to work at Panera Bread?
4. What's something that's hard for you to learn/pick up?
5. What is the worst example of customer service you have experienced and how did you handle it?
6. Name a time when you had to deal with a lot of stress or a heavy workload and how did you manage it?