Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Restaurant Crew Member
💰 $15 - $19 per hour
🎯 Role Definition
As a Restaurant Crew Member, you are the face and engine of our establishment. You'll be the first person our guests meet, the expert on our delicious menu, and a key player in our kitchen operations. This role is a perfect blend of front-of-house hospitality and back-of-house efficiency. We're looking for a positive, high-energy individual who thrives in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment and is passionate about creating positive dining experiences. You will be responsible for everything from greeting guests with a smile to preparing our signature dishes, ensuring every aspect of the customer journey is seamless and enjoyable.
📈 Career Progression
We are committed to your growth and believe in promoting from within. Our structured career path provides clear opportunities for advancement for dedicated and high-performing team members.
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- First-time job seeker or student looking for valuable experience.
- Retail Associate or Customer Service Representative seeking a new challenge.
- Hospitality or food service enthusiast eager to join a growing brand.
Advancement To:
- Team Trainer or Certified Trainer
- Shift Leader or Shift Supervisor
- Assistant Restaurant Manager
Lateral Moves:
- Specialized Kitchen Roles (e.g., Grill Master, Prep Cook)
- Catering Team Member
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Greet every guest with a genuine, warm, and welcoming attitude to set a positive tone for their dining experience.
- Accurately take customer orders at the counter and drive-thru, utilizing the Point of Sale (POS) system efficiently.
- Expertly handle cash, credit, and debit card transactions, ensuring cash drawer accuracy and providing correct change.
- Develop a deep knowledge of our menu to answer guest questions, make personalized recommendations, and upsell promotional items.
- Prepare a variety of food and beverage items to our brand's high standards, following precise recipes and portioning guidelines.
- Operate standard kitchen equipment such as grills, fryers, and ovens with a strong focus on safety and proper procedure.
- Assemble orders with meticulous attention to detail, verifying accuracy and ensuring proper packaging for dine-in or takeout.
- Manage the drive-thru window operations, communicating clearly with customers and ensuring a swift, efficient service flow.
- Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the dining area, including wiping tables, sweeping floors, and clearing trays.
- Address customer concerns and inquiries politely and professionally, escalating to management when necessary to ensure guest satisfaction.
- Consistently follow all food safety, sanitation, and hygiene protocols (e.g., hand washing, temperature checks) to ensure a safe environment for guests and staff.
- Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with both Front of House and Back of House teams to ensure smooth operations.
Secondary Functions
- Proactively restock service stations with necessary supplies, including condiments, napkins, utensils, and beverage station items.
- Assist with opening and closing procedures, including detailed cleaning of equipment, prepping ingredients for the next shift, and securing the premises.
- Monitor and maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of restrooms throughout the shift.
- Support inventory management by assisting with stock counts and communicating low-stock items to the shift leader.
- Participate actively in team meetings and ongoing training sessions to stay current on new menu items, promotions, and procedures.
- Take initiative to help teammates during peak hours, demonstrating a "one team, one dream" mentality.
- Manage waste disposal by regularly emptying trash and recycling bins from the kitchen and dining areas.
- Uphold all company policies, safety standards, and operational procedures without exception.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- POS System Operation: Ability to quickly learn and operate a Point of Sale system for order taking and payment processing.
- Cash Handling: Experience with handling cash transactions, counting a cash drawer, and providing accurate change.
- Basic Food Preparation: Knowledge of basic cooking techniques and ability to follow recipes and food build charts.
- Food Safety Knowledge: Understanding of fundamental food safety and sanitation principles (ServSafe or equivalent certification is a major plus).
- Basic Math Skills: Competency in basic arithmetic for cash handling and recipe measurement.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Customer Service: A friendly, approachable demeanor and a genuine desire to help people and create a great experience.
- Strong Communication: Ability to listen actively and communicate clearly and politely with customers and team members.
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively with others, offers help, and contributes to a positive team environment.
- Time Management: Ability to multitask and prioritize duties effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced setting.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous in assembling orders, handling payments, and maintaining cleanliness.
- Adaptability & Stress Tolerance: Remains calm and effective under pressure, adapting to changing priorities during peak hours.
- Problem-Solving: Takes initiative to resolve minor issues and knows when to escalate a problem to a manager.
- Positive Attitude & Strong Work Ethic: Maintains an upbeat and professional attitude; is reliable, punctual, and committed to doing the job well.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- No minimum requirement; a High School Diploma or equivalent is valued.
Preferred Education:
- Food Handler's Certificate or ServSafe Certification.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Hospitality
- Culinary Arts
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years of experience in a customer-facing role. No prior restaurant experience is necessary—we provide excellent training!
Preferred: Previous experience in a quick-service (QSR) or fast-casual restaurant environment is highly regarded but not required.