Red Lobster maintains operations in roughly half a dozen countries. Job seekers may choose from more than 700 locations to find meaningful jobs in the restaurant industry. The seafood chain regularly hires on new help and looks to fill positions across guest services, kitchen staff, and managerial vacancies.
Facts About Working at Red Lobster
Hiring Age: 16 years old (How old do you have to be to work at Red Lobster?)
Available Positions: Hostess, Server, Dishwasher, Bartender, Line Cook, Busser
Printable Application: No. Search Job Openings or visit official site.
Red Lobster Interview Videos
Red Lobster Job Opportunities
Applicants looking for work with the successful seafood restaurant must stand at least 16 years old. The low minimum hiring age required for employment enables younger and more inexperienced workers to find meaningful jobs with competitive pay and chances for professional growth. A typical employee works part-time across four or five-hour shifts throughout a given week. Jobs available often feature hectic, fast-paced settings and strict regulations for carrying out daily responsibilities. Prospective employees must meet and work to maintain health and safety standards at all times to gain hiring consideration.
Red Lobster focuses overall daily objectives on providing excellent customer service. From making foods and serving orders to greeting and seating guests and improving restaurant operations, employees must consistently work toward the betterment of the chain. Self-motivated, dedicated, and reliable individuals usually receive serious consideration for employment. Positions involving regular interaction with customers also generally require friendly, personable attitudes. Careers in management impose administrative requirements in addition to the overall attitudes and work ethics of potential associates.
Red Lobster Positions and Pay Scales
Entry-level positions represent the most common jobs found at restaurant locations. Red Lobster institutes age requirements of 16 years or more for new applicants. Additional hiring requirements may include experience in the restaurant industry, relevant education, and completion of specific training programs. The seafood-themed restaurant company needs to hire for the following positions:
Host
- Seating and greeting guests along with taking care of to-go orders are tasks hosts do on an average shift.
- Hosts at the restaurant chain typically start out with an hourly wage of $9.00.
- Friendliness and organization skills are ideal candidate traits.
Server
- Delivering food and beverages to guests after completing orders and making sure guests have a positive dining experience.
- Servers receive an hourly wage, in addition to gratuity.
- Previous service industry experience greatly helps those interested in a serving position, a neat appearance and outgoing attitude give individuals an advantage.
Cook
- Red Lobster cooks prepare menu items made to order for guests.
- The hourly pay rate of a cook begins around $10.00 per hour.
- Individuals who possess prior cooking experience are encouraged to apply.
Tips For Applying
In order to make solid first impressions with hiring staff, applicants should dress in business-casual attire and visit desired locations in person to fill out applications. During the visits, inquire about job vacancies and the hiring process in general. Asking questions about the position or potential work environments show enthusiasm and genuine interest in gaining employment. Fill out the application form entirely and to the best of personal knowledge. Once completed, submit the form in person and ask about ways in which to follow up or what the next stages in the process entail. Some restaurants experience severe need for new workers and may hire on help without putting candidates through formal review. Showing up in person may expedite or even increase odds of gaining employment.
Application Status
After submitting the necessary hiring materials to a Red Lobster manager, applicants usually wait about a week to hear back regarding application status. Specific downtime experienced between handing in the forms and receiving a callback about moving onto face-to-face review sessions often depends on needs for hiring and applicant pool sizes. The restaurant chain historically hires on help as needed; however, turnover and other factors, such as holiday seasons and new franchises opening, may facilitate higher demands for hiring new staff. Continue to follow up with recruitment personnel in the weeks following submission of hiring materials. Telephone usually represents the best way to contact managers regarding employment. Workers may also utilize email to make employment inquiries.
Benefits of Working at Red Lobster
Work benefits provided to eligible associates include industry standards like flexible scheduling, meal discounts up to 30% at Darden Restaurants and special promotions, and career advancement opportunities. Red Lobster also regularly provides:
- 401(k) retirement plans
- Paid time off
- Life and disability insurance plan options, and
- Tuition assistance.
Qualified managers enjoy employee assistance programs, specialized healthcare plans, adoption benefits, and quarterly bonuses, as well. Both entry-level crew members and full-time employees receive weekly pay.
More Information on Red Lobster
The restaurant chain encourages frequenting patrons to join the Fresh Catch Club, which serves as a membership customers may opt into to receive special discounts, current news on menu changes and other aspects of operations, and occasional freebies. Interested individuals may sign up for the Fresh Catch Club online via the company website. An online form asks for basic personal information to become eligible for membership. Current members may sign in to check on rewards and insider information as desired.
Tyrone Seals says:
I started off as a dishwasher, a greasy job but I was a very young man. Then I moved up to bus boy on Friday’s and Saturday’s. It was always intense and interesting overall. I kept growing and became a line cook and learned how to season steak and cook seafood. I Loved my time there.
Linda Y. Gupton says:
In 1980 we entered the appetizer and drink order on the computer. When we picked up the drink order we entered the computer meal. It was important to serve all food hot. We served the appetizer with bread and salad. At the end of the shift all servers were required to clean their stations and refill condiments. Servers were required to be attentive to their guest by stopping by the tables to inquire if the guest wanted another drink or if they needed anything. Servers should also removed empty dishes from the tables. Lastly servers should always ask guest if they would like to have a dessert prior to giving them the check. I really enjoyed this job, as I learned how to become a team player. It was very challenging when we had 4 servers attending to a group of 60 children and their counselors. Management was very supportive of the staff and helped out when new servers were in the weeds.
Deena says:
Can you be 16 and be a waitress at Red Lobster?
Michael Malik Carmack says:
how do I Apply?
Shelia Jones says:
I worked as a hostess, server, and assisted the bartender. I assisted customers with their orders, delivered food, and did it all with a friendly smile.
Faith says:
Can I ask how many tables a server can have at a time? Going for my interview soon!
Faith says:
Can I ask how many tables a server can get at one time? I was a server at another restaurant and we would get over loaded with 9 plus tables at a time and it was very overwhelming at times. I have an interview soon!