Kitchen Team

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., founded in 1983 in Glendale, California, is the largest family-owned American Chinese restaurant concept in the United States, boasting close to 2,300 locations globally. The company is renowned for delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences and is committed to building an organization where employees are inspired to improve their lives. Panda embraces family values and places a strong emphasis on serving its communities with pride and dedication. The organization is also an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusivity and diversity, ensuring no discrimination based on any characteristic protected by law. Panda actively complies with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding workplace accommodations, making it a welcoming workplace for all qualified individuals.

The role of a Kitchen Team Associate at Panda Restaurant Group is designed for individuals who are friendly, hardworking team players passionate about cooking delicious food while maintaining the highest cleanliness and safety standards. This role offers an excellent opportunity to thrive in a secure, supportive work environment where colleagues often become friends. New hires will find a workplace that is both dynamic and educational, where continual learning and career growth opportunities are abundant. For those without prior experience, Panda provides comprehensive paid training to help develop essential skills, preparing team members for success whether they plan to advance to management positions or pursue other career paths.

As a Kitchen Team Associate, the primary responsibility is to contribute to an exceptional dining experience by greeting guests warmly, serving food, and handling payments efficiently. The role requires working effectively in a fast-paced kitchen environment, where versatility across multiple positions such as front counter, drive-through, or kitchen stations is often expected. Maintenance of store cleanliness and adherence to operational and safety procedures to ensure fresh and quality food service are critical aspects of the job. Team members must collaborate closely to meet daily goals, contributing to a positive, fun workspace.

Panda Restaurant Group values its employees and rewards their hard work with a wide array of benefits. These include flexible scheduling, competitive pay ranging from $22 to $25 per hour depending on location and experience, free meals during shifts, and comprehensive insurance options including medical, vision, dental, short-term disability, and cancer income protection for full-time associates. Additionally, associates have access to health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a 401K plan with company match, paid vacation and sick leave, associate discounts on various brands, referral bonuses, community involvement opportunities through the Panda Cares initiative, paid hands-on training, ongoing career and leadership development, and chances for growth into management roles.

Candidates must be able to perform the physical requirements of the job, including standing for long periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, and working in a noisy, hot, and fast-paced environment. Effective verbal communication, adaptability to changing priorities, and conflict management skills are also necessary. Panda Restaurant Group is committed to supporting employees through any required accommodations during the application and hiring process, fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. This role is ideal for individuals seeking a rewarding career in the food service industry with a reputable and family-oriented company dedicated to employee growth and community impact.