Restaurant Team Member

Panera Bread; Wilmette (IL); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 2,480,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Free on-shift meals

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Job summary

Panera Bread in Wilmette, IL seeks a Restaurant Team Member to bring warmth, care, and joy to every guest interaction. You’ll be the heart of hospitality, helping assemble meals and support daily operations with a positive attitude.

You will greet guests, assist across service areas, maintain a clean, safe dining environment, and participate in a team that values guest delight, accuracy, and speed during busy shifts.

Qualifications

• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Minimum age 16+ to work.
• Clear communication with guests, managers, and team in a loud environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a passion for making guests smile.
• Flexible to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Basic food safety training or readiness to complete training.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests with warmth and enthusiasm.
• Assist across service areas (Production, Prep, Service, Cashier, Expo, Drive-Thru, Barista, Guest Experience Champion, QC).
• Assemble fresh salads, soups and sandwiches with accuracy and care.
• Maintain a clean, safe, inviting environment per food safety standards.
• Support the team by stocking and setting up for next shift.

Education

Food Handler's Card

Job description

At Panera Bread, we believe every guest deserves our best. As a Restaurant Team Member, you’ll be the heart of hospitality- bringing warmth, care, and joy to every interaction. Restaurant Team Members have the special opportunity to connect with our amazing guests, directly impact the bakery-cafe’s growing business, and most importantly serve local communities across the country. Support in bringing Panera warmth to life and help ensure every guest receives our best. By sharing a warm welcome, delivering food with gratitude, always looking for ways to help, building personal connections, and finding moments to surprise and delight, you help create meaningful experiences that keep guests coming back.

Responsibilities

As a Restaurant Team Member, you will be an ambassador for bringing Panera Warmth to life with each guest interaction, delivering excellent services in every circumstance. Your daily responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Restaurant Team Members will execute the duties for their specific areas within the bakery-cafe (e.g., Production, Prep, Service, Cashier, Expo, Drive-Thru, Barista, Guest Experience Champion, QC, etc.).
• Greet every guest with genuine warmth and enthusiasm.
• Assemble fresh salads, soups, and sandwiches with care, accuracy, and efficiency – no assembly lines, just real ingredients and great food.
• Stay on the move – assist guests at entry, cashier, and dining areas.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and inviting environment by following food safety standards and cleaning protocols.
• Be informed about daily priorities and adapt to changes with a positive attitude – every guest gets our best.
• Support team success by completing cleaning and stocking duties and helping set up the next shift.

What’s In It for You

• Competitive pay & eligible for team tips
• Free on-shift meals & unlimited fountain beverages
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays (for full-time team members)
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match available
• Perks & rewards for team members
• Team member assistance program

This Opportunity Is for You If

• You meet the minimum age requirement (16+) and can lift up to 25 lbs. and stand for extended periods.
• Must be able to clearly communicate and quickly understand guests, managers, and team members’ directions in a loud environment.
• You have strong interpersonal skills and love making people smile.
• You’re passionate about creating moments of comfort, connection, and joy for every guest.
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can multitask with ease.
• You’re reliable, punctual, and flexible to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Complete basic food safety understanding and practice training. (Food Handler’s Card, as required by law)
• You enjoy working with food. (Food service experience is preferred but not required.)

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans