Kitchen Team

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is a renowned family-owned American Chinese restaurant concept founded in Glendale, California in 1983. With close to 2,800 locations globally, Panda Restaurant Group has grown to become the largest family-owned Asian dining establishment in America, delivering exceptional dining experiences enriched with authentic flavors and warm hospitality. The company is driven by strong family values and a mission to inspire its team members to better their lives while positively impacting the communities they serve through initiatives such as Panda Cares. Known for its commitment to inclusion and diversity, Panda Restaurant Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces all backgrounds and promotes workplace accommodations where necessary.

The role of Kitchen Team Associate at Panda Restaurant Group is an exciting opportunity for individuals looking to start or grow their careers in the food service industry. This position is ideal for friendly, team-oriented players passionate about cooking delicious food while upholding the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. Whether an applicant has prior experience or not, the company provides hands-on paid training to prepare associates for success in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Kitchen Team Associates are integral to the smooth operation of the restaurant as they are responsible not only for preparing high-quality food but also for delivering an exceptional dining experience to guests, including greeting customers and handling payments.

Kitchen Team Associates thrive in a dynamic atmosphere where there is always something new to learn and accomplish. The role entails working efficiently at various positions including the front counter, drive-thru, or kitchen, and emphasizes teamwork, positivity, and adaptability. Through ongoing career and leadership development, associates gain valuable skills that pave the way for potential growth into management positions. Moreover, Panda Restaurant Group promotes a supportive work environment where team members become friends and fosters a culture of giving back to the community.

Employees at Panda enjoy a rewarding compensation package that includes flexible schedules, competitive pay, and free meals during shifts. Full-time associates have access to comprehensive insurance benefits such as medical, vision, dental, voluntary short-term disability, and cancer income protection. Additional benefits include health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, 401K with company match, paid vacation and sick leave, associate discounts, and referral bonuses. The company also offers a Leave Share Program for eligible associates to support work-life balance.

Working as a Kitchen Team Associate requires individuals to be physically capable of standing for long periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, and using kitchen equipment safely and accurately. The workspace is fast-paced, often hot with steam and food vapors, and requires good communication skills, the ability to manage conflicts, and adaptability to changing priorities. Panda Restaurant Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure an inclusive and accessible hiring process.

Joining Panda Restaurant Group as a Kitchen Team Associate means joining a leader in the Asian dining industry dedicated to employee development, customer satisfaction, and community impact. This role offers a meaningful way to build foundational skills in food service with many opportunities for career advancement and personal growth within a company that values family and community.