Panera Bread Assistant Manager Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated May 24, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 12 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 12 ratings
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Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted May 24, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed May 2012 (took 2 weeks)
I applied to Panera bread through their website. After about a day I received a phone call, which consisted of a phone interview. Very basic questions such as what I was looking for, why I was looking to leave current job. After the phone interview and a bunch of random online tests I was sent through to a 1 on 1 interview. The interview lasted around an hour. We discussed what my responsibilities where at my current job and what I was looking for with Panera. Very basic interview but they were definitely not prepared. When I arrived for my interview I met with the Hiring manager and he did not have my resume that I had already turned in. He seemed unready for the interview altogether, and his pitch seemed pretty much rehearsed. Luckily I knew enough to bring a copy of my resume. After the interview I was told I would be in contact with another Hiring manager whom would set up a preview.
I received a call the following day and was set up with a "preview". Basically they told me this would be a 9-3 shift where I would get to observe the company, ask questions, and see if this was something that interested me. When I arrived for my preview I was greated by one of the corporate hiring/ training employees. I was given a brief tour of the restaurant and what happened next was when I lost complete interest and respect for the company. So basically I was given a two rags and a tray and was told to work out on the dinning room to get a feel. I have no problem getting down and dirty on a job but this seemed to have no relevance to helping get a feel for the company unless that what they were telling me is that I would be a manager/ busser. So off I went into the dining room with my wet and dry rag and try while the hiring manager disappeared. So I did hat was asked bussed tables removed plates for guests and said hellos and goodbyes. Finally after 45 minutes the hiring manager asked how I was doing( keep in mind this location was dead with probably only 5 guests during this 45 minute period. After I was done with the bussing phase of my preview... I moved on to the soup portion. Basically they had me set up there line for "the rush" by portioning certain items and salad dressings. I was then relocated to the soup area where I was put to work with out any sort of training. It was kind of like these are the soups and here are the bowls.
After I was in done in the soup station I was moved over to the bakery. Where I was told to help back up staff by bagging any pastries. Yes thats right I was asked to bag pastries. By the time I had got to this point I had realized I made a horrible mistake. I have been in the restaurant business for 5 years as a manager of a successful restaurant. I felt as though it was time for a change and that Panera has been a growing company and would be good to work for. If you are already an established manager I would highly recommend staying away from this company. Judging from other managers it clearly seemed as though they were looking for inexperienced managers that would come at a low rate. I have no problem with that except I told the hiring manager during my interview the money I was looking for and he said it was attainable. The final step of "the preview" consisted of the hiring manager and myself having lunch. It was very awkward and at no point was I impressed with the professionalism. Once the preview was over I left and was told that I would be in touch regarding a final interview with one of the owners and or vp. The very next day I was sent an email stating they were persuing candidate which more closely suit there needs. A very generic email that seemed cut an paste. Considering I have been working in a restaurant that was double there sales and honest answer such as we are looking for less experience managers would have sufficed. Long story short if you are an inexperience manager this is the place for you just be aware that once you become an assistant manger there you are most likely a glorified busier/ cashier/ soup expert.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and an IQ/Intelligence Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Apr 9, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2012 (took 2 weeks)
First contacted by HR recruiter, then a phone interview with HR recruiter. Questions were straightforward, "how do you manage", "describe your duties at your last job", "what do you want to get paid", "why did you choose panera". About a week later I received a call from the DM and was given an interview date and time. The DM showed up to the wrong location and I subsequently waited over an hour for him to travel to my location. He was sincere about the mistake. Staff at the location were very friendly and accommodating while I was waiting. Again, standard interview questions about how my experience translated, what i thought the job entailed, and if i thought i would like working for Panera. Very little information was given about specific job duties, but the DM was very upbeat and positive.
I was asked to work-shadow 4 hours at a location about an hour away from my residence "to see if I would like the job". I showed up on the assigned day, and the DM was surprised because he thought I was a day early. I was allowed to stay anyways, but the GM was not available except the first 5 minutes of the day. During the work shadow I was told I was expected to ask questions and get a feel for the work duties there, but to not do any work. I asked questions, smiled, and left very excited about the opportunity to work for Panera.
Panera does seem to be a great company with a great environment. Everyone was extremely helpful, friendly, and answered all of my questions graciously, but I expected this as it was a training store. One manager in training had a very negative attitude. He was very condescending to a sandwich maker training for a new store. When I asked about the company meal policy, he was going on about how all employees steal food so he just gives everyone free food anyways. He also went into a rant listing all the companies he worked for stating how he never worked at one for more than two years because he ended up hating every job. Obviously he was the exception that fell thru the cracks, because this is not image that Panera upholds. At the end of my 4 hours I was excused by the GM and the DM said he would call me in a few days. The next day i received an email from Panera's HR generic no-reply inbox that I was not selected. I was not asked for any feedback about my experience. Disappointed, I left a voicemail for the DM asking if he could provide any feedback, but my call was not returned. Overall, I would still be very happy to work for Panera if another opportunity presented itself.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Personality Test, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a 1:1 Interview and a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Feb 21, 2012 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2010 (took 2 weeks)
I emailed my resume online along with turning a copy into my local Panera. I spoke with the General Manager of the store when I turned in the resume and received a call from the District Manager within 2 days. I had 2 phone interviews and 2 face to face interviews.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Background Check, a Personality Test, a Skills Test, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a 1:1 Interview and a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Feb 19, 2012 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2010 in Columbus, OH (took 2 days)
The interview process is pretty standard. Interview with District Manager, then with Market Manager. You have a possibility of a peer interview as well where you work in the store itself just to see what its like. Overall pretty easy as long as you have restaurant experience or management experience, and smile often.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Dec 4, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2011 (took 3 weeks)
I had a phone interview. Then I had a one on one with the district manager who was friendly and upbeat. I had a third interview with anothe district manager who said he would recommend me for hire. Lastly I had a shadow shft for a couple hours which allowed me to talk to employees and get a feel of the flow of the store.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I did some research of average salaries and asked for what I had seen online. With my experience they offered me more! Was very happy!
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Background Check, a Skills Test, a 1:1 Interview and a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Oct 18, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2011 (took 2 weeks)
The interview and selection process was straight forward. There is an initial phone screen, followed by what seemed to be a Wonderlic intelligence test, and a personality profile. This was followed by a face to face interview with a district manager. While I did not receive an offer the process was straight forward, and professional. Expect to have specific answers and example during both teh phone screen and face to face.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Personality Test, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a 1:1 Interview and a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Oct 17, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 (took a day)
I was recruited through a university career fair. Staff was very friendly. I was asked to contact someone for a phone interview, but they ended up calling me first. Questions for the phone interview were behavioral. Pretty easy interview with my restaurant experience.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Aug 17, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed May 2011 in Loveland, CO (took 3 weeks)
I was contacted by phone a month or so after I applied online. The HR rep did a 15 minute phone interveiw. She then contacted me approximately a week and a half later to set me up with a 1 on 1 interveiw atr a local cafe. I met the HR rep and she conducted an interveiw that lasted about an hour. The type of questions were normal for our industry. Examples are: Situational questions (Have I ever managed someone that I didn't like and How did that go?, Have I ever managed a project that there was a very tight timeline and How did that go?, etc.), Specific experience questions (How many people have I managed at 1 time, Type of paperwork that I was used to doing, A typical day, etc). Why do I want to work for Panera Bread? and others. Then I was set up for an interveiw with the Regional Manager. Then they set me up with an interveiw/ Job tryout with a General Manager and District Manager. There we not really any negoyiations. The District Manager asked what would it take and I told her atleast $40,000, I got ma call 3 days later from HR and she offerd me the minimum $40,000 and I accepted. The offer was contingent on a back ground/ Credit check. My advice is to over dress for the interveiws and don't look nervous.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Background Check, a Personality Test, a 1:1 Interview and a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Dec 27, 2010 — 3 of 3 people found this helpful
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2010 (took 2 weeks)
I applied online and received an email for a phone interview. Interview went well and i was then scheduled for an interview with the District manager. He explained to me in detail the duties of the role and ask me questions about managing teams and dealing with guest. Panera believes that managers should spend time managing, which is great for me. They asked me if I had any experience with P&L Statements and food count and i told them i had limited skills but eager to learn. They are looking for people that are motivated to perform. After my interview, I was sent on an observation shift where i saw the operations of the cafe during peak hours. I sent in my feedback of my shift and 2 days later I was offered the position.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Didn't negotiate because salary was very reasonable!!
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Skills Test and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Panera Bread
Posted Feb 25, 2010
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed May 2009 in Kansas City, MO (took 1 week)
I was contacted and an initial interview was set up. After that, I went into to a shadow shift at a training store. During this shift, I met the managers and associates and watched the store as it went through it's lunch period. I then sat down with the GM and we spoke more about the company. Following that, I sent an email to the HR manager letting her know my feelings and we proceeded. Two days later, I was offered a job.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was able to, but did not
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Background Check and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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