Panda Express — Restaurant in Indiana

If you want to work here, read this before you do!

Normally, I never leave bad reviews — but this experience truly broke me.

This was one of my first jobs in fast food, and after what I went through, I’ll never work a job like this again. I started off optimistic, eager to learn, and I was picking things up quickly. But instead of encouragement, I faced micromanagement, public embarrassment, and emotional manipulation — particularly from the assistant manager, Athena.

On my very first day working the drive-thru, I was nervous but doing my best. Rather than offering support, Athena mocked me. She said, “All you have to do is read,” and criticized me for small mistakes. I was laughed at and micromanaged while other managers sat around talking with coworkers instead of helping.

One night, I misheard a direction from Athena while at the register. When I finally understood, she sarcastically asked, “Are you sure?” three times, then snapped, “Read the front of the register.” I held back tears, then walked to the bathroom crying. That wasn’t the only time I left in tears.

On another occasion, I was counting a register for the first time and accidentally entered the wrong amount of coins into the calculator. Athena smirked and mockingly asked, “You think that’s 94 dollars?”. I was clearly upset, but she seemed to feed off my discomfort — I even caught her smiling when I made a mistake in front of a customer.

Every time I asked for help or clarification, I’d get, “Remember when I told you?” — not in a helpful way, but in a condescending, demeaning tone. It felt like a power trip, not support. No matter how hard I tried, it felt like I couldn’t do anything right in her eyes.

What made this worse is that just the day before all of this started, I told our general manager how great I thought Athena was — how well she trained me and how much I appreciated her help. I even told her I passed along the compliment. The very next day, everything changed. She became cold, passive-aggressive, and even mean. It felt personal.

There were many other examples. One day, I was swamped with online orders — barely able to keep up — while Athena stood behind me talking casually with other coworkers. Not once did she offer to help. During a major corporate visit, my friend (another employee) politely asked for assistance on orders and was completely brushed off. I saw this kind of thing over and over: Athena micromanaging people unnecessarily, speaking down to them, and acting hostile — while also sitting around, clocked in, chatting with coworkers instead of stepping in when it counted.

To be clear: I wasn’t the only one. At least two other people left because of how they were treated, and I understand why. The environment was toxic. I always showed up with kindness, patience, and a willingness to improve. But Athena’s behavior didn’t just make me feel incapable — it made me feel small, like I wasn’t welcome or respected for even trying.

I walked out of that job crying and never went back.

If you’re considering working here, please think twice. No one deserves to be treated this way at work, especially when they’re new and doing their best to learn. Despite everything, I’m grateful I met two amazing people there — including a coworker who also left and now works with me at a job I genuinely enjoy.

There are so many workplaces out there with positive leadership, supportive coworkers, and an actual team environment. You don’t have to settle for one that punishes you...

I went to this establishment for dinner last week and got a family meal, with Orange chicken included in that. I ordered two egg rolls, and decided to round up for charity because I appreciate the charity that Panda has.

When I got home there were no egg rolls and double the Kung pao chicken. That's fine by me, but my kids now could not eat that dinner. I checked the receipt and they just had my order completely wrong. They also charged me more on the chairty.

Normally I don't call, and normally I don't leave reviews. This situation called for it though. I called the store immediately as I got home. The lady on the phone said she would replace it for me whenever I decided to come back in.

My first visit they also had me wait 10-15 min for food product. But I go back 2 days later. I was greeted by Veronica, who right off gate, is questioning my existence there and not believing my story. Virtually told me I needed my receipt. Which I understand. But the way that she was doubtful to help really irritated me. I had my receipt in the car.

I bring in the receipt, Veronica then still questions everything. They just give me an Orange Chicken... She doesn't fix anything else. So by then I am pretty upset. Just getting Orange Chicken doesn't solve a meal for my children. I have now drove up there twice for them to be able to make one meal. She expected me to pay for the rest, even though I was failed the first time, and then drove up there a second time for THEM to fix it. Veronica was not having it.

So I was just gonna pay for another family meal, but then she told me I'd have to wait for Chow Mein for 15 minutes. I just walk out at that point. There was over a half of a pan of Chow Mein, but I know they were just saving it for Drive Thru.

Moral of the story. Veronica is terrible at customer service. Her inability to fix her mistakes is uncanny. She seemed against me the whole time. I will not be back. I love Panda Express but I can not go to a place that can not fix their mistakes, and treats customers with such...

The management team and most of the employees working the dinner rush at this particular location are rude, inconsiderate, and undertrained in providing customer service let alone quality customer service. This was my 3rd time having poor service at this location and the managers don't care. The first visit they refused to make a fresh batch of honey sesame chicken even after I saw one of their lazy employees drop food on the counter and scooped it back up and placed it in the bowl to be served to the next customer. I asked for a new batch to be made and would gladly wait but both the employee and manager said no. Like really, I have to pay for food that was dropped, scooped back up and then you want to place that food on my plate? Servesafe would not approve. Then tonight, same employees, were all just standing around talking, using their phones and then helping customers in between their socialization, this included the manager or shift manager working. Hands weren't being washed after using their phones and I doubt that Panda Express wants publicity like Chipotle had on their hands a few years back over one of their employees getting a paying customer sick all because the lazy employee was allowed to repeatedly prepare food without washing their hands following the use of their cell phone. I will be taking my money elsewhere and have already brought this to corporates attention in hopes to protect not only myself, but the community in which this management team seems to not care about. Truly disappointed in this Panda Express and the lack of leadership the store deserves. Please, Panda, address food safety and customer satisfaction skills with this crew as I do believe it all starts with proper training from leadership that is passionate about the task they...