Company Profile

Company overview

Industry

Specialty Retail

It's a gasp of surprise, or a squeal of delight. Maybe a breathless thank you thank you thank you, or quiet, wide-eyed amazement. When you step into our world of wonder, fun fills the air, and the noise of everyday life fades away.Ignore the schedule. Decline the call. Build-A-Bear Workshop is where your child grabs your hand and your heart and together you're inspired to create. Here, everyone is empowered to imagine, and every bear begins a story. Bring your loved ones, and see how building a furry friend is building so much more.Build-A-Bear Workshop offers more than beautiful plush companions for children and adults. There’s an amazing experience to be had online and at our stores. Building a teddy bear creates a connection between owner and toy like nothing else. When your child builds their own stuffed animal they will craft a companion to cherish forever.Our high quality plush toys come in a variety of styles, from the classic teddy bear to dogs, monkeys, lions and bunnies. We even offer current pop-culture favourites, such as Disney Princess and Star Wars themed bears, dragons from How to Train Your Dragon and more.Source: This is an extract from the company's own website

Reviews overview

3.156 ratings in total

5

20

4

2

3

9

2

13

1

12

72%

Rate salary as high or average

48%

Employees recommend this employer to friends

What’s it like working at Build a Bear Workshop?

AI summary of recent reviews

Build-A-Bear Workshop employees consistently highlight the rewarding nature of their work, particularly the opportunity to create meaningful connections with customers during both celebrations and memorial occasions. The supportive team environment and fun, creative atmosphere contribute to high job satisfaction, while the flexible scheduling helps maintain work-life balance. Many staff members appreciate being able to make a difference in customers' lives while working in an engaging environment.

However, the role comes with certain challenges, including dealing with seasonal fluctuations that affect working hours and income stability. Some employees report challenges with upper management support and meeting performance targets, particularly during quieter periods. There are also concerns about equipment maintenance issues in some locations, which can impact daily operations.

Recent reviews

5.0

Store Manager

Feb 2026

Miranda NSW 22283 to 4 years in the role, current employee

BEING A BIG KID IN YOUR DREAM JOB THAT CHALLENGES YOU TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH EVERYONE.

The good thingsThe biggest joy of the job is making a connection with everyone that comes into the store whether it’s a child who just wants to tell you about toothless or a regular coming in to purchase the new and up and coming bears. Helping people connect with an old love one with a special message cause they have just passed or making a bear for a child giving up the dummy. This is what we do and we do it well. You need to have fun and have so much passion as well love for helping people. This job will give you so much back for being kind, having empathy, compassion, love and just being you. The biggest thing I love our the bears. Making displays and dressing them up to the latest fashion. I sometimes feel like a big kid in my dream job.

The challengesI love the challenge of coming up with ideas to challenge myself and my team. Every school holidays we will play a different game and the winner will win a prize. Challenge other stores to who can do ‘Wake Up The Bears’! The quiet period can be challenging but that’s when you reset and go through the stores. Support from upper management and other store managers is amazing. If I have an issue, I know I can reach out to anyone at anytime when I need too. Offsites are a great way to take the bears to places where regional areas don’t have BABW and I love doing this. I get have fun and represent the brand and show them what we do.

5.0

Management

Feb 2026

Macquarie Park NSW 2113-1 to 0 years in the role, current employee

When you love what you do, work becomes a personal wonderland of creativity and pure joy

The good thingsAfter working at other retailers, Build a bear is not the same. The joy this job brings is unexplainable. We make differences from helping kids celebrate milestones from helping families grieve with our special moments instore. Everyday if different which is what we all love about the job.

The challengesAs always you have your challenges from disgruntled guests to not always meeting KPIS but the training and assistance not only from upper management but the support from other managers helps you work through this

5.0

Store Manager

Feb 2026

Newcastle, Maitland & Hunter NSW3 to 4 years in the role, current employee

Not Your Typical Retail Role — Challenging but Incredibly Rewarding

The good thingsSeeing people of all ages light up when they create their bear is something I’ll never get tired of. Being able to bring comfort and happiness to customers—especially those who have lost loved ones—has been incredibly meaningful. I’ve also had the privilege of working alongside an amazing, supportive team, from floor staff right through to head offi

The challengesWorking with kids can be full-on at times, and like most retail environments, slower trading periods can be tough. This role is also not for everyone—it takes a certain type of person to work here, as this is not your regular retail job. It requires patience, empathy, energy, and the ability to connect with people during very emotional moment

Ratings for Build a Bear Workshop are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

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