Shift Leader (P1-1361211-6)
Panda ExpressThe Breakroom Take
- Free food
- Good employer
- Recommended by students
- Recommended by parents
- Respectful managers
- Learn new skills
- Uninterrupted breaks
About Panda Express
Panda Express is a fast food restaurant chain.
Job description from Panda Express
As a Shift Lead for our team, you will have the opportunity to embrace a central role in a fast-paced and growth-oriented environment. Our restaurants are the heart and soul of our company, and we believe our people are the recipe for success. You will:
- Support in creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for our guests.
- Gain valuable skills managing store operations and leading the team during the shift.
- Gain hands on experience in cooking and preparing Panda favorites for our guests.
- Gain a diverse range of skills to develop yourself and others.
How we reward you:**
- Flexible schedules
- Great pay
- Free meals while working at Panda
- Medical, Vision, Dental, Voluntary Short-Term Disability, Cancer Income Protection insurance for full-time associates
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending accounts
- 401K with company match
- Vacation, sick leave, bereavement/funeral leave and Leave Share Program for eligible associates
- Associate discounts for many brands
- Referral bonus for eligible associates
- Opportunity to give back to your community
- Hands-on paid training to prepare you for success
- On-Going Career & Leadership Development
- Opportunities for growth into management positions
- Pre-Tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Please refer to https://www.pandacareers.com/files/PRG_HR_Recruiting_Benefits.pdf for details.
**Candidates must meet, and continue to meet if employed, eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify.
Shift Lead Qualifications Education and Experience:
- Some high school
- Prefer some Operations experience Food Safety:
Local/municipal requirements, such as Food Handler certification, acquired at applicant's own expense
ADA Statement:
While performing duties, counter areas are often hot with steam from steam table and food vapors. Workspace is restricted and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods of time. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and work quickly without losing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand up to four hours and reach across counter tops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment, have effective verbal communication skills, ability to adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and the ability to manage conflicts/difficult situations.
Panda Strong since 1983:
Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it's impacting our team or the communities we work in, we're proud to be an organization that embraces family values.
You're wanted here:
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com .
Pay Range: $25 per hour - $28 per hour
*Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.
What employees say
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people get paid breaks
Do shift leaders at Panda Express get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
65% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
Good jobs pay you for your break time.
You should get paid for all the time you’re at work, even when you’re on break.
Okay
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Only some people get paid when they’re sick
Does Panda Express pay shift leaders when they’re sick?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid when they’re sick.
How we know this
61% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
Most US companies don’t have to pay you when you’re sick - only some states require it.
But we believe a good job should pay you when you can’t work because you’re sick. Everyone gets sick sometimes.
Good
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The job rarely spills into unpaid time
Do shift leaders jobs at Panda Express spill into time they aren’t paid for?
Rarely. The job doesn't usually spill into unpaid time.
How we know this
25% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
You should be paid for all the work you do.
A good job pays you for every minute you spend working for your employer.
Benefits
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Good
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Sick days don’t use up paid time off
At Panda Express, are shift leaders’s sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?
Sick days and vacation days are separate paid time off.
How we know this
81% of people say they don’t have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
Getting sick isn’t a vacation.
You shouldn’t have to lose your time off just because you got sick or had a medical emergency.
A good job gives you separate sick days so you can rest and get better without losing your paid time off allowance.
Good
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Most people say they can afford the health insurance
Is the health insurance from Panda Express affordable enough for shift leaders?
Most people say the health insurance costs are okay.
How we know this
93% of people say the health insurance costs are okayBased on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone needs medical care sometimes, but it can be expensive.
A good job should offer health insurance that workers can actually afford.
Good
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Most people get paid time off
Do shift leaders get paid time off at Panda Express?
Most people get paid time off work.
How we know this
90% of people say they get paid time off.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone needs time to rest and take care of life outside of work.
A good employer offers paid time off so their workers can choose when to have a break or go to appointments without worrying about losing pay.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of work schedule
How far ahead of time do shift leaders find out their work schedule?
Most people find out their schedule less than four weeks ahead of time.
How we know this
- 94% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts one week or less ahead of time.
- 6% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts two weeks ahead of time.
- 0% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts three weeks ahead of time.
- 0% of people with changing schedules find out their shifts four weeks or more ahead of time.
Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
We believe your workplace should tell you your schedule at least 4 weeks ahead of time.
You need to know when you’ll be working so you can plan your life and know how much money you’ll earn.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do shift leaders at Panda Express worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
72% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
A good employer should give you the hours you need each week.
You shouldn’t have to struggle or beg for work time.
Okay
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Only some people can choose their shifts
Do shift leaders at Panda Express get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get to choose which shifts they work.
How we know this
35% report that they don’t have enough control over which shifts they work.Based on data from 17 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for shift leaders at Panda Express to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
43% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
A good job works with your personal life.
It should be easy to change your schedule when you need to - both for emergencies and when you’re planning ahead.
Okay
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Can be hard to get time off
How easy is it for shift leaders to get time off at Panda Express?
Some people find it hard to get time off.
How we know this
57% of people report it’s hard to get time off.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should let you use your vacation time when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a hassle to arrange.
Needs improving
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Schedules get changed at the last minute
Do Panda Express managers change shift leaders schedules at the last minute?
Most managers change people’s schedules at the last minute.
How we know this
69% of people say their manager changes their shift schedule at the last minute.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
If your bosses keep changing your schedule at the last minute, that shows they aren’t planning well.
Good jobs don’t switch your hours around without warning.
Good
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Most people find it easy to take sick days
How easy is it for shift leaders to take sick days at Panda Express?
Most people find it easy to take sick days.
How we know this
73% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes.
You should be able to stay home when you need to get better.
A good job should make it easy to take sick time and have clear steps for letting them know you’re sick.
Good
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Most students say it’s good
Is shift leaders at Panda Express job good for students?
Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
100% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 8 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2025 and July 2026.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do shift leaders at Panda Express feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
81% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
Your boss should treat you with respect.
No one at work should bully you or treat you unfairly.
If you have a problem, you should be able to talk to someone else who can help.
Good
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Most people get breaks without interruption
Do shift leaders at Panda Express get to take their breaks without interruption?
Most people get breaks without interruption.
How we know this
75% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. You should be able to do what you want to and not get pulled off it early.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed out
Is it stressful for shift leaders to work at Panda Express?
Most people feel stressed out here.
How we know this
83% of people say they often feel stressed out at work.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
Work can be hard sometimes, but you shouldn’t feel stressed all the time.
Your boss should make sure there are enough people and resources to get the work done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do shift leaders at Panda Express enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
56% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and July 2026.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do shift leaders at Panda Express recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
54% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
The people you work with every day are important. They can make the difference between a bad day and a good one.
Good
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Most people get enough training
Do shift leaders get enough training when they start at Panda Express?
Most people got enough training when they started.
How we know this
79% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should train you well from your first day, not just throw you into the deep end.
Nobody can do their job well without proper training at the start.
Good
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Most people get support to advance
Do shift leaders get support to advance at Panda Express?
Most people are given support to advance their career here.
How we know this
In the last year, 70% of people report being given support to advance their career here.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should help you grow, if you want to.
This could mean getting better at your current job, learning new things, becoming a team leader, or taking on more duties.
This helps you build skills and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Headquarters doesn't understand what's happening
Do shift leaders think Panda Express’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?
Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
91% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
In a good job, the people running the organization should support the workers who do the hands-on work.
To do this well, they need to know what’s really happening at each location.
This is extra important when an organization has many different sites.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by headquarters
Do shift leaders feel well informed about how Panda Express is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
55% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and July 2026.
Why this matters
A good employer shares news with all its workers.
You should know how your employer is doing - both the good news and the problems.
Managers should keep you updated about what’s happening.
What Panda Express employees say about their job
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Best thing
Pay is great for Stillwater, plus they have $0.25 raises every 6 months. There's room for growth to shift lead. FOH starts at $16, BOH at $17, and shiftleads at $18 (which is easy to get). You get a paid 10 min break every 4 hours you work, plus an unpaid 30 every 6 hours.
Worst thing
Our location is open until 11, so you don't get out until midnight some nights. They are meticulous about cleaning so there's a lot of deep-cleaning required, even if you have to do it between helping dozens of customers.
Report this reviewEmployee at Panda Express, September 2025
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Best thing
That it isn’t hard to talk with your team and we work together fine
Worst thing
That sometimes people don’t do their part of the work and we sometimes struggle during rush hour or when we clean
Report this reviewEmployee at Panda Express, May 2025
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