How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Panera?
To get an entry-level part-time job at Panera as a bakery-cafe associate, you must be at least 16 years old. However, if you want to be a baker or delivery driver, you must be at least 18 years old.
Whether you want to work directly with customers or behind the scenes making great food, Panera offers opportunities for you to grow with the company.
Teen Jobs at Panera and Age Requirements
Bakery-Cafe Associate (Hourly)
Panera cafe associates listening to the customer’s needs and delivering it — fast, accurate, and with a friendly smile. Panera associates take pride in every aspect of their work and perform it with energy and enthusiasm. Panera needs strong team players, with a commitment to serving their guests and creating a warm and friendly atmosphere that the company is known for.
The associate positions are: cashier, line associate (salad & sandwich maker), dining room, and dishwasher.
You must be at least 16 years old to work as a bakery-cafe associate at Panera.
Baker (Hourly)
Panera Bread bakers take their craft seriously. Baking is central and core to the Panera Bread essence of warmth and quality. They use their expertise and take the necessary steps to create the best of breads and baked goods. Panera bakers work diligently to ensure that they deliver the high quality products that their customers love.
Job responsibilities include:
- Preparing dough for baking by placing/shaping dough in pans; spreading or sprinkling toppings; allowing dough to rise and monitoring product while baking
- Maintaining a proper bake by adjusting thermostatic controls to regulate oven temperature
- Maintaining equipment by following proper cleaning procedures
- Updating job knowledge by participating in scheduled trainings and online learning
- Enhancing the bakery operations and customer experience by accepting ownership for quality of baked product
To work as a baker at Panera, you must be at least 18 years old.
Delivery Driver (Hourly + tips)
Being a delivery driver at Panera means that you are responsible for delivering food to customers safely and efficiently.
Customers can't always make it to a Panera Bread to enjoy their favorites, so they offer delivery service in select markets. Cafe Delivery Drivers bring Panera Warmth—along with delicious soups, salads, and sandwiches—to customers at home or work.
Panera Delivery Drivers enjoy flexible schedules with mileage and tips paid out daily. When they are not on the road delivering for Panera, they may be in the bakery-cafe handling a variety of duties.
To work as a delivery driver at Panera, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license and car insurance.
Can a 15 Year Old Work at Panera?
Because the minimum age to work at Panera is 16, 15-year-olds can’t work there. We have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-olds that you can view for more options.
Can a 16 Year Old Work at Panera?
Yes! The minimum age to work at Panera is 16. We also have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-olds that you can view for more options.
How Much Does Panera Pay Part-Time Workers?
The hourly earnings for employees at Panera vary because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.
Bakery-Cafe Associate (Hourly)
As a bakery-cafe associate at Panera, you will be making somewhere between minimum wage and $15 per hour. If you are coming in at entry-level without any prior experience, then you will most likely start out at minimum wage.
The average hourly rate for a Panera bakery-cafe associate is $9.
Baker (Hourly)
The rate of pay for bakers is between $10 and $17 an hour. Panera prefers experience for this position, and it is also an overnight job, so don’t be afraid to negotiate.
The average hourly rate for a Panera baker is $13.
Delivery Driver (Hourly)
The base rate of pay for delivery drivers is usually minimum wage. This position also receives tips and a mileage reimbursement, so the rate of pay varies.
The average hourly rate for a Panera delivery driver is $9 plus tips and mileage.
How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at Panera?
Panera is an entry-level friendly company, so you can apply to be a bakery-cafe associate without any prior experience and get hired. However, if you do have some work experience, it could get you a higher hourly pay rate and move you faster into supervisory and management positions.
What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at Panera?
Panera is a bakery and cafe, so when you show up for your interview you will want to look nice and be dressed in business casual attire. Consider something like a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks and dress shoes. You do not want to show up too casual in a t-shirt and jeans, but there is no need to go too formal and wear a suit.
Panera Interview Questions
The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. But, there are some common questions that they do often ask. At a Panera interview, you will talk with at least one manager. Here are some questions that they have been known to ask.
Can you work nights and weekends?
Why are they asking?
Panera is open seven days a week from early in the morning to late in the evening, and their part-time teenage workers usually cover the night and weekend hours. If they ask you this question, they want to make sure that you can work those hours because that’s where they need help in their schedule.
What’s the ideal answer?
The interviewer wants to hear that you have no problem working nights and weekends. And, as a teenage worker, this schedule works well around school. Be honest with your answer. If you have other obligations that will prevent you from covering those hours, you have to let them know up front.
Why do you want to work at Panera?
Why are they asking?
Restaurants rely on entry-level teen workers. They make an excellent first job for young people to get work experience, and there are a lot in the market to choose from. If they ask you this question, they want to know what makes Panera stand out over other options like McDonalds, Chipotle, or Jimmy John’s.
What’s the ideal answer?
There is no wrong answer to this question. Whatever your reason is for applying at Panera, tell them! Maybe you have a friend that works there, the cafe is close to home, or you love their food. Whatever your reason is for applying at Panera, just be specific and honest with your answer.
Can you work well as part of a team?
Why are they asking?
If they ask you this, they are trying to find out how comfortable you are working in a team environment. There are no jobs in the cafe that require you to work all by yourself, so they want to make sure you work well with others.
What’s the ideal answer?
Honesty is the best policy. Let them know how good you are with people and be prepared to give examples if you have previous job experience. If Panera would be your first job, then give examples of working with people in team sports or school activities.
Benefits of Working at Panera
Everyone who works at Panera gets a discount on meals. However, other benefits are limited to full-time workers.
Benefits include:
- Paid time off and paid sick days
- Performance Bonuses
- Vacation
- 401K and Stock Purchase Plan
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance