Workers Reveal What It's Really Like To Work At Panda Express 

What are your thoughts on Panda Express?

Panda was my first job started at 16 as a cashier and left at 19 as an assistant manger. This video couldn’t be further from the truth. Panda thought me a lot and I use a lot of it’s training even today in my everyday life. It’s a great place for a first Job

Looks like there is very high pressure in particular at lunchtime!!! These kids deserve a lot of credit...for providing the rest of us such an excellent service!!!

It so funny seeing all these clips of the employees smiling but in reality most Panda Expresses I go to,all the employees look miserable and wish they weren't there lol

Hardly a surprise why nobody wants to work fast food when you have to deal with these work conditions.

There are probably more Panda Express restaurants in the world than actual pandas.

This is my opinion base on my experiences working at Panda, I am still employed and been working for 8 months now, honestly working at Panda is not for everybody. I am a cook and being organize, clean and prepared really helps a lot in the kitchen because the job can be tiring. Its not even the job that is difficult but the people I work with, they’re messy, clumsy and unorganized which it makes their job harder. And it really depends of the store management. People with unhealthy lifestyle and who just want to work there for money wont last, Panda teaches people how to discipline ourselves, to have a continuous learning, and to acknowledge knowledge each other. I enjoy working here and they take care of you as a person not just at work but outside work as well. We employees help each other to do better and be better.

I used to work at panda express and I will say that IF everything goes smoothly, it is a very decent place to work and and excellent place to get experience. The company itself will help you learn how to be better at management and move up corporately, even if you don't want a long term job there. However, when one thing is mismanaged or out of 'alignment' it becomes HELL on earth really fast. We had several corporate people come during my second year at panda express (normal visitations) and they were disgustingly rude to my manager and treated her like crap. From then on, my manager was a borderline dictator because she was so paranoid about the cameras and who would be monitoring her. There was a manager text group that she had to respond to and I saw how they belittled her and made fun of her because her corporate handler would watch her and make fun of her store. She was still a good manager but she in turn had to put crazy restrictions on her people to try to look good to get them off her back. Panda Express ended up promoting these cooperate assholes just to get them out of contact with us and put in better people. I learned that was common practice with Panda. They don't fire them, just give them cushier positions out of the way. We got a better people after that but my manager wasn't the same.

The overall experience at working at panda is great. Amazing pay and bonus. They teach you a lot about cooking and overall being a better worker even outside of panda. They do hold a very high stander which makes you very tired. You’ll be on your feet all day and depending on your store you’ll be working nonstop. My location has a lot of bosses fly in to watch you and see how your store is and to do promotions. If you want to become a cook you have to memorize every dish,sauce and cutting measurements in order to get that promotion. That’s why they fly in to teach you and make you better.

I currently work there. The only thing that is microwaved (currently) are the chow mein noodles. They are microwaved, then thrown in with the Vegetables and stuff. At least at my store, you get a 30 minute break if you work morning shift (before 5pm) but you must clock out. (1 hr if 10+ hour shift) If you have night shift you get a 10, but your on the clock. Also, definitely memorize the codes. seriously. You better make a Quizlet or flash cards lol

Uhh… panda employee here. We’re all pretty chill here. I like learning how to cook.

The PE near me can get super busy and I'm always impressed at how the workers keep the orders straight. Last time I was there a woman kept adding and changing things to her order and making it super confusing. I'm sure she was trying to get it so mixed up she got away with free food but the girl kept right up with her and would tell her each time the cost went up. It's not healthy, but I really enjoy the food as an occassional treat.

Honestly while I’ve been cooking I haven’t really been encountering too many issues with memorization. My biggest issue with panda and being in the kitchen is physical demand otherwise, it’s a pretty nice job. That is unless you’re the head chef. I’m basically kitchen support, my job being to make the lo mein, fried rice, clean the dishes and chop the vegetables.

I’m glad they have cameras for the main purposes of food handling; that guy who stepped in all the containers at Subway while filming it stressed me out 😱😨

What a great video, very well put together. Thank you!

Forget them. THEY do 2 Separate interviews. Did restaurant manager interview but never heard from district manger.

Yea at my panda during the rush, they keep yelling at us to move faster but also want us to be 100%.

I'll say abide by the don't be rude to your food provider. I once had a customer harass me continually for their food faster. Made to order food takes time. But I got frazzled and started slamming around maybe dropping a bit of food on the floor I had no interest in remaking due to harassment. So, they made their own bed, not out of spite.

I think it’s a great American restaurant for me that serves awesome tasting food at a reasonable price and has a good system and I believe will be around a very long time!

My panda pays its employees over $25 hrly a few months after starting. So does the Chick-fil-A. I’ve been given free food 1 time, and entire 2 entree 1 side for free by the older woman working there. Someone’s abuela is so hard working, and kind. I’d take a bullet for anyone on that stores staff, 5 of them worked there going on 7 years now.

My friend used to work at one of them. Said she hated it and the worst job she ever had. They made her use her own car for deliveries and the managers there were horrible. It’s also a highly stressful job. Sure, they pay a tad more than the average fast food or quick service restaurant but in her words, “it wasn’t worth it.”

When I cook Chinese foods the way they should be cooked, I definitely use salt and sugar. However, the Americanized style is just too sweet... I wish you guys can try the Kung Pao Chicken prepared by me.

Wow, the boss cares panda is a great job , they help me when my house burn down gave me 2 thousand dallors , the only problem are the rude costumers it really fast past but I have learned a lot and well always appreciate all there hard work

I was at Panda Express 🐼 eating Orange 🍊 Chicken 🐔 while watching this.

As nothing but a customer ... I happen to always enjoy Panda Express. NO complaints -

Also we don't have microwaves, we throw all food away after it's been left out too long

At panda the orange chicken sauce is made in these big 12qt containers, you add the ingredients and the TEN QUARTS OF SUGAR into the sauce. That shit shocked me lmao. but at my store we also don't keep any leftovers besides teriyaki chicken sometimes

To anyone working at Panda Express. I worked at a 24 till grocery store and the cameras on the ceiling 40 feet up were still able to read the cereal numbers on the bills going into the till. I also got busted for walking past a garbage shoot and not locking it up. 2 week non payed suspension. Cameras are the way of all workplaces now so get use to it. They can save your ass if a customer gets crazy or cost you job. Don't count on the UFCW to help you as they will always side with the boss.

I worked at the most busiest and highest selling store in the San Fernando valley in California as a cook I learned and did my job oh so well that when I gave my 2 week notice my manager tried to pay me more but still wasn’t enough and asked me to atleast give her 3 weeks to find a replacement I agreed because I knew how hard it is to even find an employee for the cook line that would even last a couple weeks but anyways I would close almost daily and what I hated was that they would make us clock out at 11:20pm even though every night we wouldn’t finish till 11:45pm-12am some days even 12:30 am the reason was because they would get break violations if we didn’t clocked out and the manager would get in trouble by the supervisors so the managers made sure to have us clock out at 11:20 and when we would say no because obviously we weren’t finished they would argue w us and threaten to terminate us

The Panda Express in Roswell New Mexico is so horrible. I'm from Carlsbad New Mexico just south of Roswell, I used to be so excited to eat there every time I made a trip up there. Don't know what happened, maybe to many gen z kids working there.

The store by my house only fills 1/2-3/4 amount of food compares to other stores. Even I ordered family meal, the boxes are 3/4 full. I like Panda Express, but I’m not going there.

We finally have our Panda Express here in my neighborhood pay them 17.50/hr and prices are still the same. Then again, it is fairly priced more compared to other hole and a wall

Yo trabajé en panda. Por más de 15 años y es muy estresante trabajar en panda.. .. exigen mucho por poco dinero..

It looks like PE is a good place to work and it you are paranoid about being on camera it is the same way in every workplace. I worked in a 100,000 square foot grocery store and the cameras were so good they could read the serial numbers of the bills going into the till.

Sounds like a prison. Hell. No wonder these places are having a difficult time hiring and retaining good employees.

You never have to ask if someone is a vegetarian because they’ll tell you. Over and over.

i swea panda acts like dey a 5 star restaurant, like chill

Like every franchise that goes down hill over time, they open too many locations too quickly. And the franchise fees are a scam, so the franchise owners can’t hire good help because they can’t afford to pay anyone well, so in turn the workers are underpaid and burnt out, and usually sad or rude as a result. Which in turn kills business, which creates a downward spiral.

Everyone complaining about fast food while watching a video of someone reading Reddit over corporate stock footage. Universe can we get a giant meteor in here please, just put us out of our misery thanks.

I dont know if its only the one at my location but when i applied i was asked to lose wait. And had to do two interviews. Like what the hell, isnt that illegal?

good timing because i am right now considering applying there. i read through the subreddit often and it's definitely mixed reviews

Panda is Family 🙏

Can anybody share the recipes ?

How long are the breaks?

its crazy cause this is my store that they filmed at I work at the north 5th one in las vegas and im a cook there and everything lmao

So they blanche the veg before the stir fry. It is fine and I eat there but now I know why there is no char on the veg as there should be for a great stir fry. Mine go into the rocket hot wok raw and get a chance to get a char. Much better flavor. But hey, PE is a fast food situation and we do get decent veg, meat and flavor so I won't kibitz.

does anyone have any tips on cashiering ??? i just started two days ago and it’s been super stressful. especially because our store has no coins/change and customers get mad at me as if it’s my fault.

I love meat, but a lunch of Panda's veggies is really good. Eat healthy, then get orange chicken when you don't want to do that. Still, Panda veggies for balance.

Sounds like a hard labor concentration camp

I LOVE , PANDA EXPRESS THEY HAVE THEY HAVE THE BEST FOODS , GOOD ,RICE , I LOVE IT THEY ,

Still the most reliable fast food chain in the US

I’m newish in panda ( 1 month and 2 weeks there, note I only work 5 days also ) I chose to work back in the house ( dishes, chow mein, fried rice, teriyaki chicken, and quinoa rice) for about 1 month and just recently been switching back and forth helping the back and the front ( I said I wanted to do both so I get paid more ) and on like my 5th day I was still not the fastest at serving food and it’s funny this old guy quiet af kept telling me what he wanted but I coudnt hear everything and he got so impatient he just started yelling at me ( I coudnt say anything obviously, I wish I could talk shit back lol) one of my coworkers had to tell him be patient please . I work in La so there’s a fck ton of white ppl( Karen)😂

I'll start off by saying I have not read all the commentary but I do want to offer my comments just in case Panda corporate is monitoring this. First, I really enjoy their food and the staff at our local Panda here in Titusville, FL. Of course their are times when it is not perfect but this is everywhere you go. I have noticed the last two times I've picked up food from Panda that the chow mein seems different - the texture and the core robust flavor I've been used to has changed. Both times the Chow Mein was recently replaced so it is not a matter of freshness it is like the recipe has been watered down? It's still the best Chinese food in town but I sure miss the old Chow Mein.

Yes i will take a plate, double orange chicken w/fried rice thank you

It’s good that they want people to move up because I don’t wanna be stuck at the bottom anymore tbh

Which food chain had more weapon control: Mac Donald or panda express or KFC

I wok'd at Panda for a few yrs, it was rough, fast paced, hot af, and ended up causing issues with my wrists, etc The Christmas "bonus" was 1$. We NEVER got bonuses besides that and absolutely no possibility of a wage increase...

I've been going to Panda for 30 years and not once have been offered a discount the last 1/2 hour. Sounds like BS. Also the Pandas in my area are all stingy with portion size yet the price continues to go up and the 2 item entree is over $11 now...

This is illegal to only give someone 10 minutes half an hour by law this place should be closed down

we don’t have microwaves in panda, ever. yes, all of the food is reasonably fresh. if you see us pour old orange chicken right on or by the fresh, it doesn’t really matter. it’s all

Don't forget Panda Express is affiliated with Landmark, a known Cult and MLM scheme :)

All Panda Express’s should have a drive thru

I like and cook this way daily but it looks like hell. to work there.

I go to the Panda Express on base and that place is always busy. So food is always fresh.

Panda needs to watch their foods more, I be getting food poisoning from there.

They do everything possible to take away the bonus. Unreasonable sales goals that we really can't do anything about. Or they just end the bonus program without letting associates know

I would never work that hard for so little money and benefits.

Honestly the mistrust from the employer twords the employee is something very discouraging at any workplace but personally it goes both ways.

Homer- Mmmmm paaaanda 🤤

Panda express is ok with the exception that they're to thight when it comes to serving they count the shrimp they give you for a dolla extra but too generous with the rice To make a long story short it almost always look more like a rice plate than anything else

What I want to know is why no sweet and sour pork?

It seems those cameras don't catch rotten food going out. The last time I got a lunch there, take out, I got it home and ate one bite, tasted that it was rotten meat, and threw the rest away. I was really sick the next two days. It was no doubt food poisoning. Those cameras should pay a little more attention to fresh food not killing their patrons then the usual, these days, corporate iron hand on their minimum wage employees.

I think working at Panda way more stressful than working at McDonald's

Panda Express food is good but it's so expensive.

Not bragging about it but I almost got a family meal free because too many people took the order but I felt bad and told them I didn't pay yet

Wait til they find out how horribly they're actually being treated for mediocre fast food. $100 or anything under $500 isn't a bonus. It's a tip.

Like any job you either like what you do or you don't. If you don't like the job, then get a new one so someone else can have an opportunity. Complaining and job hopping will never get you anywhere.

The dish shown at 9:05 is string bean chicken, not black pepper

Stop the five minute marker they say they boil their vegetables before they fry them but actually, I think that they fry them in the deep fryer and then they stirfry am not good

No wonder they can't get people to work for them

the noodles are also nuked

The regional manager also tried to get me to do all of the work for her to present MY idea to net for more profits and get Pandas face out there and steal it as her own. Pathetic.

my gm is in this video

sounds about like an average fast food establishment

I enjoy da panda, however, in Long Beach, CA I ate a near in edible plate.. yuck

Sob is like working at any restaurant ever?

Never worked at PE but ate there once and was totally unimpressed especially for the price that we paid. My experience at least at the Panda Express in my area was very mediocre and underwhelming and I probably will not ever be visiting there again because I feel like their food is not worth the price that they're charging. It's better for me to eat locally at a local Chinese Mom and Pop shop and support my local economy than to spend money at PE.

So basically Panda Express has the same standards as chipotle

I only went into a Panda Express once, walked out when I saw they didn't have wonton soup

Panda I Pass.

The people and culture at Panda Express is so fake. They nailed it in the video when they said it was all about appearance. The owners might be nice and have good intentions but all of fhe bloviating they do never seems to be practiced. I've never worked for a company that will bitch that the serving spoon is not at a 45° angle but has no problem continuing operations after a water shut off. They seem to focus on the little things that don't matter but try to be shady when it comes to health code and labor violations

Yet the ones in Mesa,AZ are Stingy with the food, rude, and just bad customer service! Even when i am extremely polite! You just don't win with those girls in Panda express.

Chinese food is not very healthy that's why it tastes soo freaking good

NOO Don’t swing threw 10min before closing !

Almost all of their food is too sweet and loaded with sugar.

So in otherwords it sounds like a job.

Pha king Chinese

I worked my way up from 16 an hour to 19.50 an hour in one year and let me tell you bruh this is not an easy job. Don't come to Panda if you aren't ready to work hard.

Why work there???

Thank God Panda Express is smart enough to monitor their employees. Why should we consumers expect otherwise? Employees need to know who their boss is. And if employees aren't satisfied, then they should leave and go satisfy themselves elsewhere.