What Does a Panda Express Counter Help Do?

Panda Express is a fast-food restaurant chain that specializes in American Chinese cuisine. It is the largest Asian restaurant chain in the United States, with over 2,000 locations.

A Counter Help at Panda Express is responsible for providing excellent customer service to guests. They are responsible for taking orders, preparing food, and ensuring that the restaurant is clean and organized. Counter Help must also be able to answer questions about menu items and provide helpful suggestions to guests. They must also be able to work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Panda Express Counter Help Job Duties

A Panda Express Counter Help typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Greet customers in a friendly and courteous manner, providing excellent customer service
• Take orders accurately and efficiently, ensuring that all items are prepared according to the customer’s specifications
• Prepare food items quickly and correctly, following established recipes and procedures
• Maintain cleanliness of work area, including counters, shelves, and equipment
• Ensure proper portioning of food items, using correct utensils and containers
• Monitor stock levels and restock as needed
• Assist with opening and closing duties, such as cleaning and setting up for the next day
• Follow health and safety guidelines, including proper handwashing techniques
• Adhere to company policies and procedures
• Process payments accurately and efficiently
• Answer questions about menu items and ingredients
• Provide suggestions on menu items and promotional offers

Panda Express Counter Help Salary

The salary for a Counter Help position at Panda Express is determined by a variety of factors, including the size of the store, the number of hours worked, the employee’s experience, and the local market rate for similar positions. Additionally, the company may offer incentives or bonuses based on performance or other criteria. Ultimately, Panda Express strives to provide competitive wages that are commensurate with the job duties and responsibilities.

• Median Annual Salary: $31,686 ($15.23/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $37,450 ($18/hour)

Panda Express Counter Help Job Requirements

To be hired as a counter help at Panda Express, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in customer service or the food service industry is preferred, but not required. Applicants must also be able to stand for long periods of time and lift up to 25 pounds. A friendly and outgoing personality is a must, as counter help are expected to interact with customers in a positive and professional manner. Applicants must also be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to multitask. Finally, applicants must be able to pass a background check and drug test.

Panda Express Counter Help Skills

Panda Express Counter Help employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Customer Service: Customer service is the ability to interact with customers in a friendly and helpful manner. As a Panda Express counter helper, you may be the first person a customer interacts with when they enter the restaurant. Providing excellent customer service can help you build a positive reputation for the restaurant and encourage customers to return.

Cash Register Operation: Cash register operation is the ability to operate a cash register. This is a necessary skill for any fast food restaurant job, including working as a Panda Express counter associate. You can learn how to operate a cash register through on-the-job training or by taking a cash register course.

Cleaning Skills: Panda Express employees are responsible for keeping the restaurant clean. This includes cleaning the dining area, the kitchen and the bathrooms. You can demonstrate your cleaning skills to a potential employer by providing examples of how you’ve cleaned in the past.

Product Knowledge: Panda Express employees should have a strong understanding of the menu and the ingredients in each dish. This can help you answer questions from customers and help you suggest new menu items. You should also be familiar with the restaurant’s promotions and deals to help customers make informed decisions about their orders.

Food Handling: Panda Express employees work with food and food products, so it’s important to know how to handle food safely. This includes how to properly wash and sanitize dishes, how to properly store food and how to properly handle food that may be contaminated. Food handling is an important skill for Panda Express employees to have.

Panda Express Counter Help Work Environment

Panda Express counter help typically work in a fast-paced, customer-oriented environment. They are expected to provide excellent customer service and maintain a clean and organized work area. Counter help typically work a 40-hour workweek, but may be required to work additional hours during peak times. Counter help may also be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Counter help must be able to stand for long periods of time and lift up to 25 pounds. They must also be able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks at once. Counter help must be able to work well with others and have excellent communication skills.

Panda Express Counter Help Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Panda Express Counter Help employees work.

Automated Menu Boards

Automated menu boards are becoming increasingly popular in the fast-food industry. These digital displays allow customers to quickly and easily view menus, prices, and nutritional information. For Panda Express counter help, this technology can streamline customer service by providing a more efficient way of displaying items on the menu.

In addition, automated menu boards can be used to promote specials or discounts, as well as upsells. This allows counter help to focus on other tasks such as taking orders, preparing food, and cleaning up. Automated menu boards also provide an opportunity for Panda Express to customize their menu offerings based on customer preferences.

Ordering Food Online

With the rise of online ordering, Panda Express counter help must be prepared to handle orders that come in through digital channels. This means understanding how to use the restaurant’s online ordering system and being able to answer customer questions about it. Counter help should also be familiar with the menu items available for online ordering and be able to provide accurate information about them.

In addition, counter help should be aware of any promotions or discounts offered on the website and be able to explain them to customers. Finally, they should be able to process payments quickly and accurately, as well as ensure that all orders are fulfilled correctly. Understanding this emerging trend is important for the future of work for Panda Express counter help, as more customers will likely turn to online ordering in the coming years.

Healthy and Allergy-Friendly Dining

As the demand for healthier and allergy-friendly dining options increases, Panda Express is responding to this trend by offering more plant-based dishes. Counter help at Panda Express must be aware of these changes in order to provide customers with accurate information about menu items. They should also be able to answer questions about ingredients and allergen content.

Counter help should also be familiar with the restaurant’s new online ordering system, which allows customers to customize their orders according to dietary restrictions or preferences. This will enable them to better serve customers who have special needs or requests. Understanding this emerging trend is important for counter help to ensure that they are providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.

Advancement Prospects

Counter help at Panda Express can advance to a variety of positions, including shift leader, assistant manager, and general manager. As a shift leader, you would be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the restaurant, including customer service, food preparation, and cash handling. As an assistant manager, you would be responsible for managing the staff, ensuring that all tasks are completed in a timely manner, and helping to create a positive customer experience. As a general manager, you would be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the restaurant, including hiring and training staff, managing the budget, and ensuring that all safety and sanitation standards are met.

Interview Questions

Here are five common Panda Express Counter Help interview questions and answers.

1. Describe a time when you had to deal with an unhappy customer, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle stressful situations and your customer service skills. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your ability to work with customers, solve problems and communicate effectively.

Example: “At my last job as a server at a restaurant, I had an older couple come in for dinner one night. The husband was very rude to me when he ordered his food, but I remained calm and friendly. When they received their food, it was cold, so I offered to get them something else or give them a discount on their meal. They were still upset, but I apologized again and gave them a free dessert. They left happy.”

2. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

Working in a fast-paced environment is common for many food service jobs. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working in an environment where you need to multitask and be quick on your feet. In your answer, explain that you are able to work quickly and efficiently while still maintaining quality customer service.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. I have worked in the food industry for five years now, and during that time, I’ve learned how to multitask and balance multiple tasks at once. For example, when taking orders, I can take payment, prepare drinks and give customers their food all at the same time. This helps me save time so I can get customers their food as quickly as possible.”

3. Do you feel comfortable working under minimal supervision?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work independently and make decisions. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a time when you worked under minimal supervision and how you handled the situation.

Example: “Yes, I feel comfortable working without constant supervision. In my last position as a server at a restaurant, there were times where our manager was busy with other tasks or helping customers. During these times, I would help my fellow servers by taking orders or refilling drinks. This helped ensure that all of our tables had what they needed.”

4. If hired, what would be your approach to learning the menu and different types of food?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to learn new things quickly and efficiently. Use examples from previous jobs or school experiences where you learned a lot of information in a short amount of time.

Example: “I would read through the menu before my shift started, so I could familiarize myself with all the different types of food that are available. Then, when customers ordered something I wasn’t sure about, I would be able to describe it accurately and recommend similar items if they’re looking for something specific.”

5. Describe a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle customer service situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you helped a customer in need and received positive feedback from them or their manager.

Example: “At my previous job as a barista, I had a regular customer who would come in every morning for coffee. One day, she came in with her daughter, who was celebrating her birthday. She told me that she wanted to get a special drink for her daughter’s birthday but didn’t know what to order. I made her a custom drink and wrote happy birthday on the cup in chocolate syrup. The next week, she returned and gave me a hug. She said that everyone at work loved the drink and thanked me again.”