General Manager

General Manager at Panera Bread leads a high‑performing bakery‑cafe team to achieve operational and guest service excellence.

What’s In It For You

• Competitive pay & eligible for quarterly bonuses
• Free on‑shift meals & unlimited fountain beverages
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match
• Career advancement & leadership development opportunities
• Tuition discounts
• Perks & rewards for team members
• Team member assistance program

Responsibilities

• Own all aspects of leading the bakery‑cafe team: planning and managing staffing needs, scheduling, people development, performance management, training, and succession planning.
• Hire, onboard, and train new team members while motivating, energizing, engaging, inspiring, and celebrating the entire team.
• Manage team performance to ensure the bakery‑cafe’s goals, operational and quality standards, and extraordinary guest service expectations are met.
• Develop managers on people processes and Panera’s Guiding Values & Behaviors to create subject‑matter experts within the bakery‑cafe.
• Follow operational procedures designed to ensure execution of all company strategies and initiatives.
• Ensure every guest is delighted by the quality of food, service, and staff.
• Build engaging relationships that lead to long‑term, loyal guests.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain a healthy and safe workplace that meets Panera’s health, food, safety, and culture standards.
• Maintain the bakery‑cafe’s overall costs and inventory.
• Help build a culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.
• Work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, in a fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities.

Qualifications

• Minimum age: 18 years.
• 3+ years of restaurant General Manager experience preferred.
• ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain).
• Background check required; any job offer contingent upon results.
• Proven ability to run great shifts while directing, motivating, coaching, and developing others.
• Strong business acumen and drive positive results.
• Capability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand and walk for up to 6 hours.
• Excellent communication skills in a loud environment.
• Commitment to Panera’s Guiding Values & Behaviors.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Panera Bread is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee or applicant will be discriminated against on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, veteran status, race, color, creed, or national origin, or any other historically protected characteristic in any policy or practice of the company.