Restaurant Operations Intern

Job Description

Job Title: Restaurant Operations Intern

Location: In-Restaurant (Non-Remote)

About the Internship

Panda Restaurant Group is seeking a motivated and dynamic intern to join our team for an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in restaurant operations. This internship takes place directly inside our restaurants, providing a fast-paced and dynamic environment to learn from industry professionals. The intern will support various initiatives within the restaurant operations team, gaining exposure to a variety of functions including operations, training, quality assurance, food safety, and culinary development.

About Panda Restaurant Group

At Panda, growth begins on day one. We are committed to inspiring better lives through opportunities that support personal and professional development. We are honored to be the only fast-casual restaurant brand recognized as one of the best places to work, offering a stellar total rewards package, unparalleled earning and growth potential, and a workplace rooted in a people-first and purpose-driven culture, fostering a greater sense of belonging.

Founded in Glendale, California in 1983, Panda Restaurant Group is the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America, with close to 2,300 locations globally. We continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives, embracing family values that impact both our team and the communities we serve.

Responsibilities

• Support store operations during shifts, ensuring food is prepared with passion, service is provided with heart, and the ambiance is maintained with pride.
• Manage and lead a team of associates during the shift, delegating tasks and providing coaching and feedback to support their growth and development.
• Assist with inventory management, ordering supplies, and ensuring proper food safety and sanitation practices are followed.
• Shadow restaurant managers and team members to gain a deeper understanding of day-to-day operations and provide recommendations for process improvements.
• Successfully complete all assigned modules.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the restaurant operations team.

Program Requirements

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business administration, or a related field; sophomore and junior standing preferred.
• Must be available to work for the duration of the internship (approximately June-August 2025).
• Must be available to work 30-40 hours/week for the internship duration (approximately June-August 2025).
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and manage a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to provide clear direction and feedback to team members.
• Proactive and self-starter with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in the hospitality industry is a plus.
• Student Organization Leadership experience is a plus.
• Prior restaurant working hours and a Food Safety card are preferred.

Benefits

• Paid internship at a competitive rate.
• Hands-on experience in restaurant operations and exposure to various functions within Panda Restaurant Group.
• Mentorship and guidance from industry professionals.
• Networking opportunities with other interns and industry leaders.
• Sick time.
• Potential for a return offer upon successful completion.

Compensation

• Paid internship commensurate with experience related to position requirements.
• Upon successful completion of the internship program, some participants may be offered full-time employment, which includes a competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to receive college credit (dependent on college/university requirements).

To Apply

Please submit a resume. Only applicants who are authorized to work in the United States will be considered.

ADA Statement

While performing duties, employees will encounter counter areas that are often hot with steam from steam tables and food vapors. Workspace is restricted, and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use a Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment, and work quickly without sacrificing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for up to four hours, and reach across counter tops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot, and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited, and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment, possess effective verbal communication skills, adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and manage conflicts/difficult situations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity. We do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com.