Meta: Completing a Panda Express job application is the first step towards finding a rewarding job at the largest family-owned globally recognized restaurant chain.
The largest Asian restaurant chain in the United States is Panda Express. The restaurant is best known for its delicious orange chicken as it defines the blend of the US and Asian cuisine. The restaurant chain was once only found in mall food courts, but now new stand-alone locations are popping up all over the country and in Latin America.
Working at Panda Express
Before completing a Panda Express job application, you should know what the company expects of you as an employee. Most locations are open from 10 AM until 9 PM Monday through Saturday, with shorter hours on Sunday, usually 11 AM until 6 PM. Some location hours are predetermined by their sites, like shopping malls, sports arenas, and airport terminals.
You must be at least 16 years old to work at Panda Express. When you complete your Panda Express job application, you should know what position you would like. Your choices include:
- Team member
- Store manager
- Recruiting assistant
- Dishwasher
- Prep cook
Most of the positions at Panda Express are entry-level and part-time, but the restaurant does have some full-time jobs available, too. The ideal candidate for full-time or part-time work needs to learn quickly, work quickly, help customers, and keep a clean kitchen.
New hires usually work as team members who work directly with customers. They greet guests and prepare their orders. They also do cleaning tasks in the kitchen, dining area, and restrooms. Busy times are stressful, and top employees stay calm and focused during meal times.
Panda Express is an excellent place for young employees to gain work experience. But, the restaurant also offers opportunities for advancement. Management likes to promote employees that have shown loyalty to the brand.
There are benefits available for part-time and full-time employees at Panda Express. Everyone receives meal discounts as well as paid training and time off. Managers and full-time employees receive more benefits including
- 401K retirement plans
- Life insurance
- Paid vacation
- Healthcare coverage
- Salary options
- Stock options
- Employee perks
- Scholarships and college reimbursement
- Bonuses
If you want to complete a Panda Express job application, do it on a restaurant team member interview day. During these days, management at local restaurants expects to see interested candidates and talk to them that day. You can fill out an application at the restaurant or online through the corporate website.
Available Positions at Panda Express
If you are interested in working at Panda Express, you can apply for several different positions. While there are corporate positions open at their main office in Rosemead, CA, the majority of jobs are at the over 2000 restaurants around the US and the globe.
Most employees who work in the restaurant spend most of their working hours on their feet, so they should have some stamina and be in good general health. Most employees also work with customers at some point during a shift, so employees with friendly dispositions are highly desirable.
Team Member
The most common position at Panda Express restaurants is the team member. This entry-level position is responsible for working with customers by taking their orders and running the cash registers. Panda Express pays between $8 and $10 per hour to team members. Team members should be at least 16 years old and have some high school completed.
Kitchen Team Member
Since Panda Express is a restaurant, kitchen team members are important. Panda Express trains its kitchen team members to prepare high-quality food that meets safety standards and the precise flavor that guests expect at every visit.
Kitchen team members have to work in a fast-paced environment while being in an open kitchen setting. Customers can see them preparing food, so kitchen team members also have to work with customers occasionally. Panda Express expects candidates to have some high school education and a local food handler certificate.
Assistant Manager
The assistant manager works with the store manager but is responsible for the day-to-day operations. Assistant managers train new employees, and they work closely with guests. They also track the financial targets. With benefits and pay, they can make over $50,000.
Store Manager
Managerial candidates who complete Panda Express job applications should have some leadership experience working in an office, restaurant, or store. Managers’ responsibilities include creating schedules, hiring employees, and maintaining safe working conditions. The annual salary for restaurant managers at Panda Express is over $60,000.
Recruiting Assistant
This is a corporate position that works with human resources experts. They are the first people who work with new hires as they prepare them for their early days of work at Panda Express. Candidates should have a college degree in a related field. Panda Express pays recruiting assistants a healthy annual salary of around $75,000.
Tips for Applying
You can check for open positions at Panda Express’s website: Panda Careers. There you can look for jobs in your area or the corporate office. You can search for specific positions or locations that are near you.
Applicants can fill out the online application after creating a username and password. However, if you want to work at a specific location, you can fill out a form there, too. You should bring your resume and a cover letter to the site to show that you are interested in the job and you have a professional work ethic. Add a personal note to an online application, too.
To show that you care about getting the job, you should check back a few days after you have submitted a completed application. Hiring managers like to see potential employees show initiative. If you are not able to stop in, then give the manager a call to ask about the status of your application.
Whether you stop in or make a call, you should try to make a conversation with the manager. Therefore, only call during slow hours, not during busy lunch or dinner times. The manager will want to hire you if you can make small talk and build rapport.