Kitchen Team

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., founded in 1983 in Glendale, California, has grown to become the largest family-owned American Chinese restaurant concept in the United States with almost 2,800 locations worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences and building a culture where employees are inspired to better their lives. Embracing strong family values, Panda Restaurant Group focuses on impacting both its team members and the communities it serves through initiatives like Panda Cares. The company is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, operating under equal opportunity principles that prevent discrimination against individuals based on various protected characteristics. This creates an empowering and welcoming atmosphere for everyone seeking employment.

The role of Kitchen Team Associate at Panda Restaurant Group offers a dynamic opportunity for individuals who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and collaborating with team members to create delicious food and ensure excellent guest experiences. As a Kitchen Team Associate, you will be responsible for preparing fresh, high-quality food while maintaining rigorous cleanliness and safety standards in the store. The position provides a supportive work setting where team members often become friends. If you have no prior experience, Panda Restaurant Group is ready to provide hands-on paid training to prepare you for success and future growth within the company. This role accommodates flexible schedules and offers competitive pay ranging from $22 to $25 per hour, depending on factors like location and individual experience.

In this role, you will engage directly with guests by greeting them, serving food, and handling payments at the cash register. You may also rotate through different stations including front counter, drive-thru, and kitchen, contributing to a well-rounded skill set applicable to career advancement within the hospitality industry. Maintaining cleanliness and appearance of the store is critical to Panda’s commitment to quality and safety. Because the kitchen environment can be fast-paced and sometimes physically demanding, associates must adapt to changing priorities and work efficiently without sacrificing accuracy. The company values team members who maintain positive attitudes and work cooperatively to meet daily goals. Additionally, associates have opportunities to develop leadership skills and advance into management positions through ongoing career development programs.

Beyond the daily responsibilities, Panda Restaurant Group offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time associates including medical, dental, and vision insurance, voluntary short-term disability, cancer income protection insurance, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care. Financial benefits include a 401(k) plan with company match, vacation and sick leave, bereavement and funeral leave, and a leave share program for eligible employees. Associates also enjoy free meals while working, associate discounts on various brands, referral bonuses, and opportunities to engage with local communities through charitable activities. This combination of competitive compensation, strong benefits, flexible scheduling, and advancement opportunities makes the Kitchen Team Associate position an excellent entry point for individuals eager to start or grow their careers in the food service industry.