Cook

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is a distinguished leader in the restaurant industry, recognized as the largest family-owned American Chinese restaurant concept in the United States. Founded in Glendale, California in 1983, the company has grown to operate nearly 2,800 locations worldwide. With a rich history and strong family values, Panda Restaurant Group remains committed to delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences to its customers. This commitment reflects in the company's culture, which values its people as the core ingredient of its continued success. The organization takes pride in fostering an environment where employees are inspired to improve their lives and advance their careers. Panda Restaurant Group also emphasizes its dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities across all protected characteristics and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants as needed.

The role of a Panda Cook associate is a vital leadership position within the company’s kitchen teams. These associates are considered the heart of the kitchen, playing a crucial role in delivering quality food and excellent service. As a Panda Cook, you will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and growth-oriented environment that rewards passion, precision, and pride in culinary craftsmanship. This position is designed for individuals who are eager to contribute meaningfully to guest experience by creating delicious dishes that adhere strictly to company recipes and quality standards. Additionally, Panda Cooks support the kitchen team by guiding and assisting in training, helping to uphold consistent operational standards across the cuisine preparation process. This hands-on role involves a variety of Back of House responsibilities, including food preparation, execution of recipes, and ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently.

Panda Restaurant Group offers competitive pay ranging from $24 to $27 per hour, adjusted based on location and experience. Beyond competitive pay, the company supports its associates with flexible schedules and a comprehensive benefits package for full-time team members. Benefit highlights include medical, vision, and dental insurance; voluntary short-term disability; cancer income protection insurance; and a 401K plan with a company match. Additional benefits include health care flexible spending accounts, paid vacation and sick leave, associate discounts, referral bonuses, opportunities for paid training, career development, growth into management roles, and community engagement initiatives. Panda Restaurant Group takes employee wellness seriously and provides supportive working conditions despite the physically demanding kitchen environment.

Working as a Panda Cook requires physical stamina and resilience, including the ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 pounds, and perform tasks quickly without sacrificing accuracy. The kitchen environment is typically hot and noisy, with space limitations and high storage shelving. Successful candidates will have effective communication skills, adaptability in a dynamic setting, and the ability to manage challenging situations professionally. In this central position, you will contribute significantly to maintaining a vibrant and welcoming environment for guests while embodying the company’s values and standards. Overall, this role offers a fulfilling career path with Panda Restaurant Group, blending culinary skill development with leadership opportunities in a reputable and supportive restaurant concept.