Panera Bread has expanded from a small cookie store to an international restaurant chain with more than 2,000 locations. From part-time cashier jobs to baker positions and corporate careers, Panera Bread is always looking for qualified, eager professionals to join their workforce. In this Panera Bread careers guide, we will walk you through how to get a job at Panera, from finding open positions to applying online and preparing for an interview.
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So, you’re interested in getting a job at Panera, but do you know which role you would be best suited for? You’ll want to make sure the position aligns with your interests, skill set, strengths, and availability. Check out the job descriptions below for some of the most popular jobs at Panera.
Cashier Job Description
A cashier at Panera is in charge of taking orders at the front counter, handling customer payment, and inputting orders into the POS system. It is important for someone in this role to have experience with customer service, as well as a positive, enthusistic attitude. Most times, the cashier is the only Panera employee a customer will interact with, so leaving a positive impression is essential. Cashiers should also have a thorough understanding of the Panera menu because they will be the ones customers most often go to when they have questions about food and drinks on the menu.
A cashier at Panera can be either a part-time or full-time position and may be eligable for benefits.
Truck Driver Job Description
Panera’s truck drivers are extremely important to the day-to-day success of the business. They are responsible for transporting ingredients and food items to local stores. Panera looks for drivers with previous CDL-A tractor trailer experience, as well as someone willing to work night shifts and early mornings. Drivers must have obtained a high school dipoloma (or equivilent) to be qualify for this position. They also must be reliable, have a clean driving record, and be able to pass driving, drug, and criminal checks and tests.
Truck Drivers typically work full time and have the opportunity to recieve benefits.
Delivery Driver
Recently, Panera launched its Delivery Program, which is where delivery drivers can into the picture. Delivery Drivers pick up online orders from local Panera stores and deliver them to customers in the area. While there is no technical experience needed, Panera looks for delivery drivers who have positive attitudes, have a clean driving record, and can perform duties in a timely manner. Delivery drivers must be 18 years or older with a license, registration, and car insurance.
This is typically a part-time role with benefits like food discounts, health benefits, tips, and flexible schedules.
Associate
A Panera associate has multipe roles within the store. From preparing food to helping customers, this entry-level role is the backbone of the restaurant. Associates ensure that the restaurant is kept clean and orderly. Sometimes, they serve as cashiers. While this is an entry-level role, Panera looks for candidates who have previous work experience in coffee shops, cafes, and bakeries. This is a part-time role with benefits like food discounts, healthcare, and flexibile schedules.
Bonus: Many associates that work at Panera end up being promoted to a managerial role after gaining some experience.
Supervisor
A Panera Supervisor, also known as a Shift Supervisor or Shift Lead, is in charge of leading team members, training and developing employees, and customer service. They also manage day-to-day activities for all team members to ensure the kitchen and restaurant floor follow proper sanitation standards, as well as serve customers promptly and accurately. Supervisors must be comfortable working in a fast paced environment.
Panera looks for Shift Supervisors who have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and previous restaurant management experience. This is a full-time role with benefits like include annual salary, food and beverage discounts, 401(k), healthcare, and opportunities to advance within the company.
Corporate Careers
Panera refers to their corporate careers as Support Center jobs. These roles are mostly based out of Missouri, Idaho, North Carolina, and Massachussets at Panera’s corporate offices. Panera hires roles in sales, finance, engineering, digital product management, social media, UX design, development, and support.
How To Get A Job At Panera Bread
Whether you are a young adult looking for your first job or a seasoned professional, there is something for every skillset at Panera. In this section of our guide, we will walk you through how to find job openings and get a job at Panera.
Restaurant Job Opening
All Panera job openings can be found on their careers website. This page will show you everything you need to know about applying for a job at the restaurant. You can search by location or job function. You can also sign up for Panera’s Talent Community on this page to recieve email job alerts whenever there is a job opening in your area.
Restaurant Jobs Near Me
To find Panera jobs near you, simply go to the Job Search section of the careers website and type in the job title or skill, as well as the location of the restaurant and the radius that you are comfortable traveling from that location. From there, all of the available job openings near you will populate the screen, and you can click on the one(s) that you are interested in learning more about. Once you click on a job title, it will direct you to a job description and link to apply online.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Panera Bread?
You must be at least 16-years-old to work at Panera. The only job opening available for 16-year-olds is the cashier. All other roles require you to be 18 years or older, like a delivery driver, shift supervisor, or baker.
Panera Bread Online Job Application
Panera Bread job online applications can be found on their careers website. Simply search for job openings in your area, click on a job title that suits your interest, and select the “Apply Now” button. This will first take you to a Candidate Card that will prompt you to create an account with your name and email address. After creating an account, you will be directed to an online job application that you can submit directly to the Panera in your area of residence.
How Much Does Panera Bread Pay?
Panera Bread wages and salaries vary by position and experience. We’ve compiled the average pay for each of the main roles at Panera to give you an idea of what to expect:
Cashier – $8/hour
Truck Driver – $31/hour
Delivery Driver – $15/hour
Associate – $10/hour
Supervisor – $12/hour
How Much Does Panera Bread Pay 16-year-olds?
Panera typically pays 16-year-old around $8 an hour, but this rate is dependent on their job role and experience.
Other Benefits
Panera is a competitive company to work for, offering generous benefits to both its part-time and full-time employees. Some of these benefits include:
- Flexibile schedules
- Food and beverage discounts
- Merchandise discounts
- 401(k)
- Financial savings plans
- Healthcare
- Opportunities for advancement
Panera Bread Interview Questions
So, you’ve landed an interview at Panera. What’s the best way to prepare? There’s no sure-fire way of knowing what your interview will ask you, but you can expect to be asked questions that revovle around the following topics:
- Your previous work experience
- Your interest in the company
- What you know about Panera
- What you know about customer experience
- How you handle conflict
- How you are as an independent worker
- Your personality/what you like to do for fun
