Cook

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is the largest family-owned American Chinese restaurant concept in the United States, founded in 1983 in Glendale, California. With nearly 2,800 locations globally, Panda is dedicated to delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences while fostering an environment where employees are inspired to improve their lives. The company emphasizes family values and community impact, making it not just a workplace but a place where one can grow personally and professionally. As a well-established leader in the fast-casual dining industry, Panda remains committed to maintaining high standards of quality, service, and hospitality, ensuring every guest enjoys a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

The role of Cook at Panda is a central and dynamic position that requires passion for food preparation, dedication to service excellence, and pride in creating an inviting ambiance. Working in a fast-paced and growth-oriented environment, a Panda Cook is responsible for preparing dishes that strictly adhere to company recipes and standards, thus ensuring consistency and quality across all service periods. This role requires leadership skills as it involves guiding and assisting the Kitchen Team with their training, managing Back of House responsibilities efficiently, and upholding strict food safety and sanitation guidelines. A successful Panda Cook is a team player who supports a positive work environment, helping to maintain high operational standards while delivering outstanding guest experiences.

This full-time position offers a competitive pay range of $24 to $27 per hour, with individual pay determined based on factors such as work location and experience. The offered compensation reflects the importance Panda places on attracting qualified and motivated individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the kitchen team and overall restaurant operations. In addition to financial rewards, the role provides ample growth opportunities, with on-going career and leadership development programs designed to prepare associates for potential advancement into management positions.

Panda values employee well-being and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, dental insurance, and voluntary short-term disability and cancer income protection insurance for full-time employees. Other benefits include flexible schedules, free meals during shifts, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a 401K plan with company match, vacation and sick leave, associate discounts, referral bonuses, and various programs supporting work-life balance and community involvement. The company fosters an inclusive work culture that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees.

As a Panda Cook, you will work in a lively kitchen environment where attention to detail, effective verbal communication, and ability to handle high-volume food preparation under time constraints are crucial. The job requires physical endurance to stand for extended periods, manage kitchen equipment such as the Chinese cook knife, lift up to 50 pounds, and adapt to shifting priorities while maintaining accuracy and safety. This role offers a unique blend of culinary craftsmanship and leadership development within a large, reputable, and family-oriented restaurant group that values and respects all team members.