Kitchen Team

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is a leading American Chinese restaurant concept known for delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences since its founding in 1983 in Glendale, California. As the largest family-owned restaurant group in this niche in America, Panda has grown to nearly 2,800 locations globally. The company prides itself on fostering an inspiring workplace rooted in family values and community impact. Employees find a welcoming environment here, where their contributions extend beyond just the workplace into meaningful community involvement through initiatives like Panda Cares.

The role of Kitchen Team Associate at Panda Restaurant Group offers a dynamic, supportive, and safe working environment where team players come together to create delicious food and provide excellent service. This position is ideal for both those new to the industry and experienced individuals looking to enhance their culinary and operational skills. Panda provides comprehensive training, so prior experience is not mandatory. The job involves working in a fast-paced kitchen environment helping prepare and serve freshly made food while upholding the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. Associates may work at various positions, including front counter, drive-thru, or kitchen, allowing for a diverse skill set and exposure to multiple operational areas.

Kitchen Team Associates are integral to delivering an exceptional dining experience by maintaining professional and friendly interactions with guests, handling transactions, and ensuring a clean, welcoming environment. The role emphasizes teamwork, efficiency, and the ability to adapt quickly to a dynamic environment with changing priorities. Associates must be capable of standing for extended periods, operate kitchen tools such as Chinese cook knives safely, and lift up to 50 pounds. This position requires effective communication, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to manage workload under pressure without sacrificing accuracy.

Beyond the job responsibilities, Panda Restaurant Group is committed to the growth and career development of its associates, offering hands-on paid training, leadership development programs, and opportunities for advancement into management roles. Benefits include flexible schedules, competitive pay, and employee discounts. Health insurance options such as medical, dental, and vision plans are available to full-time associates along with voluntary short-term disability and cancer protection insurance. The company also offers 401K with matching, flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care, paid vacation, sick leave, bereavement leave, and referral bonuses.

Panda Restaurant Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion by prohibiting discrimination on numerous protected bases and providing reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. This inclusive approach ensures all team members feel valued and supported in the workplace.

Overall, working as a Kitchen Team Associate at Panda offers not just a job but a chance to be part of a community-oriented, growing company where personal and professional development is encouraged, and team members are empowered to deliver memorable experiences to guests while contributing positively to their local communities.