Cracker Barrel Server Job Description & Interview
Job Description and Duties
What Does a Cracker Barrel Server Do?
Cracker Barrel regularly needs to hire motivated and energetic workers for serving positions. In entry-level job titles, Cracker Barrel servers need no real experience to gain employment consideration. Applicants with strong communications skills and basic mathematics abilities typically perform well during the Cracker Barrel hiring process.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific job duties for serving associates with Cracker Barrel include taking food and drink orders, delivering food and drinks to customers, refilling drinks, and answering questions about menu items, services, and company policies. Cracker Barrel servers often undergo a couple weeks of training, including visual, verbal, and hands-on orientation.
Salary and Compensation
How Much Do They Get Paid?
Like most servers in the restaurant industry, Cracker Barrel waitstaff earn roughly $2.15 to $3.00 per hour before tips. Including tips, many waiters and waitresses with Cracker Barrel earn well over $10.00 an hour. The average work week for a Cracker Barrel server consists of three to four six-hour shifts. Shift availability and regularity of hours depend upon restaurant location and worker experience, in most cases.
Advancement Opportunities
Advancement opportunities into management roles may lead to increases in wages. Qualified servers may earn numerous employment benefits with Cracker Barrel, as well. Cracker Barrel offers discounts on meals and merchandise, 401(k) retirement plans, and healthcare coverage to eligible workers. Additional job benefits, pay rates, and hiring requirements vary by Cracker Barrel location.
Next:
Search Cracker Barrel jobs near you
Review the Cracker Barrel Application page.
Cracker Barrel Server Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Cracker Barrel Server: I was a server. Basically, my job title was I had three or four tables – they rotated – but my job was I would get there and make sure I had all my side work ready. Each server is assigned a list of side work; it keeps their part of the kitchen clean at night. We could be doing ice. Someone could be stocking glasses, just making sure whatever it is, creamers – you could be on salad dressing – you never know what they could put you on.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Cracker Barrel Server: Actually, it was a really fun work environment. A bunch of people worked there that I knew, and we just had a good time every day.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Cracker Barrel Server: Probably the people and the food because the food there is really good also. It was surprisingly good. I wasn’t expecting it. Plus, my older brother was one of the supervisors, or shift leader. So, pretty much, it was a real good time.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Cracker Barrel Server: Basically, you’re going to show up, you have to have an apron with your name. You don’t have a name tag; it’s just stitched on to the apron. Then, you make sure everything is ironed and ready to go, and you show up at work. It can get pretty busy; you have to make sure you read the menu, make sure you know the menu backwards and forwards. That’s the main thing at the tables. When customers ask about the different food, you have to be able to give them helpful advice about it.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Cracker Barrel Server: It’s a paper application, and you just fill that out. They don’t hire you right away, either. They will call you back, check everything out and call you back. You make sure everything is good to go, and then you have a job.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Cracker Barrel Server: They ask you a lot because it’s a restaurant. They ask you about previous experience because they don’t want you to not have experience with a restaurant. Everyone has their first restaurant job, and since they have such a high number of customers, especially in our town with the Cracker Barrel. There are people who can keep up with the pace.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Cracker Barrel Server: I would pretty much tell them to basically don’t work in the kitchen. Be a server; you’ll make way more money that way. As in any restaurant job, don’t work in the kitchen because I’ve done everything from wash dishes to cook, and it’s the difference between making $10 an hour and $20 dollars an hour. So, I would definitely recommend if you don’t like talking to customers, you don’t have to. Just do a good job at that table, make them happy every time.
Jasmine says:
I’m actually glad I came across your interview because I am looking for a job and I came across the Cracker Barrel. I was actually thinking about going for a server job here before I saw your interview so this was helpful and it gives me confidence.