Kitchen Team

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., founded in Glendale, California in 1983, is the largest family-owned American Chinese restaurant concept in America. With nearly 2,800 locations worldwide, the company has built a reputation for delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences. Known for its commitment to family values and fostering a supportive work environment, Panda Restaurant Group emphasizes employee growth, community involvement, and operational excellence across all its restaurants. The company continues to innovate within the fast-paced food service industry, combining traditional culinary techniques with modern service standards to meet the evolving needs of its customers. As an equal opportunity employer, Panda Restaurant Group is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce. They provide accommodations to qualified individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensuring an accessible recruitment and work environment for all employees.

The Kitchen Team Associate role at Panda is ideal for friendly and dedicated individuals who are passionate about cooking delicious food while maintaining the highest cleanliness and safety standards. This entry-level position welcomes applicants without prior experience, as comprehensive hands-on training is provided to equip team members with the skills needed to succeed. Associates thrive in a fast-paced and supportive atmosphere where teamwork, positivity, and daily achievement are emphasized. Those who join Panda also have the unique opportunity to contribute to impactful community initiatives through the Panda Cares program, reflecting the company’s heart for giving back.

Kitchen Team Associates are essential to delivering exceptional dining experiences to guests by greeting them warmly, serving food, and managing cash register transactions. The role requires flexibility to operate across various positions including front counter, drive-through, and kitchen stations, ensuring smooth restaurant operations. Associates are responsible for upholding Panda’s operational standards and safety procedures to serve high-quality fresh food consistently. They must be capable of working efficiently and collaboratively with team members to meet daily goals in a fun and engaging environment. The company fosters career growth, offering ongoing leadership development and advancement opportunities into management roles, creating a clear path for those aspiring to build a lasting career in the restaurant industry.

Working as a Kitchen Team Associate also includes adhering to physical and safety requirements of the role. Associates spend extended periods standing in hot and noisy kitchen environments, handle kitchen tools including Chinese cook knives, and perform physically demanding tasks such as lifting up to 50 pounds. Those in this position should have effective verbal communication skills, adaptability to changing priorities, and the ability to manage difficult situations professionally under pressure. Panda values hardworking employees who demonstrate team spirit, dedication to quality, and customer service excellence.

This position offers flexible scheduling options and a competitive pay structure. Associates receive free meals while on shift and access to a comprehensive benefits package for eligible full-time employees. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, short-term disability, cancer income protection, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a 401K retirement plan with company match, paid vacation, sick leave, bereavement leave, and a referral bonus program. Team members also enjoy associate discounts across many brands and opportunities to participate in ongoing career development. Panda Restaurants prides itself on creating a safe, rewarding, and inclusive workplace where employees are valued and equipped to succeed as part of a dynamic kitchen team.