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Cafe Helper Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

... cafe's overall costs and inventory. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. This Opportunity Is for You If: * Minimum age: 18 years of age. * 1+ years of restaurant ...

... cafe's overall costs and inventory. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. This Opportunity Is for You If: * Minimum age: 18 years of age. * 1+ years of restaurant ...

... cafe's overall costs and inventory. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. This Opportunity Is for You If: * Minimum age: 18 years of age. * 1+ years of restaurant ...

... cafe's overall costs and inventory. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. This Opportunity Is for You If: * Minimum age: 18 years of age. * 1+ years of restaurant ...

... cafe's overall costs and inventory. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. This Opportunity Is for You If: * Minimum age: 18 years of age. * 1+ years of restaurant ...

... cafe's overall costs and inventory. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust. This Opportunity Is for You If: * Minimum age: 18 years of age. * 1+ years of restaurant ...

Coffee Barista

Madison, WI · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Help set the tone for the café by curating music and maintaining an upbeat atmosphere * Represent the Core Spaces and New Here Coffee brands with professionalism and friendliness * Ensure ...

Restaurant Team Member

Janesville, WI

$10.75 - $14/hr

... cafe's growing business, and most importantly serve local communities across the country. Support in bringing Panera warmth to life and help ensure every guest receives our best. By sharing a warm ...

Restaurant Team Member

Madison, WI · On-site

$12 - $15.75/hr

... cafe's growing business, and most importantly serve local communities across the country. Support in bringing Panera warmth to life and help ensure every guest receives our best. By sharing a warm ...

Restaurant Team Member

Madison, WI

$12 - $15.75/hr

... cafe's growing business, and most importantly serve local communities across the country. Support in bringing Panera warmth to life and help ensure every guest receives our best. By sharing a warm ...

Restaurant Team Member

Madison, WI

$12 - $16/hr

... cafe's growing business, and most importantly serve local communities across the country. Support in bringing Panera warmth to life and help ensure every guest receives our best. By sharing a warm ...

Restaurant Team Member

Madison, WI · On-site

$11.75 - $15.50/hr

... cafe's growing business, and most importantly serve local communities across the country. Support in bringing Panera warmth to life and help ensure every guest receives our best. By sharing a warm ...

Showing results 21-40

Cafe Helper information

See Madison, WI salary details

$5

$12

$18

How much do cafe helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafe helper in Madison, WI is $12.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $9.95 and $15.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a cafe helper do?

A Cafe Helper is responsible for assisting with various tasks in a café, such as preparing simple food and drinks, cleaning tables and work areas, restocking supplies, and supporting baristas and kitchen staff. They often help with taking orders, serving customers, and ensuring the café remains clean and organized. This role is essential for maintaining smooth operations and providing a pleasant experience for customers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cafe helper, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cafe Helper, you need basic food handling knowledge, customer service skills, and often a food safety certification. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, coffee machines, and kitchen equipment is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and a friendly attitude help you excel when serving customers and supporting coworkers. These skills ensure efficient service, compliance with safety standards, and a positive customer experience in a busy cafe environment.

What are some common challenges faced by cafe helpers and how can they be managed effectively?

Cafe Helpers often face challenges such as managing busy rush periods, multitasking between cleaning, replenishing supplies, and assisting baristas or kitchen staff. Effective time management, clear communication with team members, and maintaining a positive attitude under pressure are key to overcoming these challenges. Many cafes provide on-the-job training and encourage teamwork, so being proactive in asking for help or clarification can make a significant difference in handling fast-paced situations smoothly.

What is the difference between Cafe Helper vs Barista?

AspectCafe HelperBarista
CredentialsNone typically requiredOften requires food safety or coffee certifications
Work EnvironmentCasual cafe settings, assisting with basic tasksFront-line customer service, preparing coffee and beverages
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in cafes, coffee shops, and small eateriesStandard role in cafes, coffee shops, and specialty coffee establishments
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched by entry-level job seekers or those assisting in cafesCompared for those interested in specialized coffee service roles

The main difference between a Cafe Helper and a Barista lies in their responsibilities and required skills. Cafe Helpers typically assist with basic tasks like cleaning and stocking, while Baristas prepare beverages and interact directly with customers. Both roles are common in similar environments, but Baristas often need specific coffee knowledge and certifications. Understanding these differences can help job seekers find the right position in the cafe industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cafe jobs in Madison, WI?

The most popular types of Cafe jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Cafe Helper jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Cafe Helper job openings:

Infographic showing various Cafe Helper job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $26,828 per year, or $12.9 per hour.

Assistant General Manager

Panera Bread

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Panera Bread rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 1,456 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 16 rated cafes


Job description

Assistant General Manager
Lead with purpose. Grow with support. At Panera, our leaders are celebrated for bringing out the best in their teams. Enjoy great perks, a welcoming culture, and the opportunity to make a real impact-every day.
Get ready to rise and come join the fun where you will be a part of making the familiar fantastic! Because at Panera, the best thing of bread is sharing it!
What's In It for You?
  • Competitive pay & eligible for quarterly bonuses
  • Free on-shift meals & unlimited fountain beverages
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
  • Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match available
  • Career advancement & leadership development opportunities
  • Tuition discounts
  • Perks & rewards for team members
  • Team member assistance program
  • And much, much more!

As an Assistant General Manager, you'll lead an amazing team and a beloved neighborhood bakery-cafe to sweet success! You'll inspire and celebrate your team, partner with your General Manager in overseeing operations, delight guests every day, and grow the business- while taking ownership on hiring, training, and development at your location.
As Assistant General Manager Panera, Your Role Includes:
  • Support your General Manager by making key decisions and problem solving.
  • Plan and manage staffing needs, shift scheduling, people development, career development, and succession planning.
  • Support the hiring, on-boarding, and training of new team members while motivating energizing, engaging, inspiring, and celebrating the entire team.
  • Assist with managing team performance to ensure the bakery-cafe's goals, operational and quality standards, and extraordinary guest service expectations are met.
  • Partner with the General Manager to create subject matter experts within your bakery-cafe by developing managers on people's processes and Panera's Guiding Values & Behaviors.
  • Work as a team to ensure every guest is delighted by the quality of our food, service, and our team.
  • Build engaging relationships that lead to long-term, loyal guests as part of the bakery-cafe's management team.
  • Follow operational procedures designed to ensure your bakery-cafe successfully executes all company strategies and initiatives.
  • Ensure team members follow company policies and procedures and comply with all federal, state and local regulations.
  • Maintain a healthy and safe workplace for your team that meets Panera's health, food, safety, and company culture standards.
  • Assist your General Manager in maintaining the bakery-cafe's overall costs and inventory.
  • Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

This Opportunity Is for You If:
  • Minimum age: 18 years of age.
  • 1+ years of restaurant management experience preferred.
  • ServSafe certification (or ability to achieve).
  • Proven ability to drive positive results through strong business acumen required.
  • Proven availability to run great shifts while directing, motivating, coaching and developing others in a fast-paced environment.
  • This role requires flexible hours including nights and weekends in a faced-paced environment with shifting priorities.
  • Any job offer for this position is conditional upon the results of a background check.
  • While performing this job, the Assistant General Manager role is regularly required to:
    • Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects 50 pounds.
    • Capability to stand and walk for up to 6 hours.
    • Must be able to clearly communicate and quickly understand guests and associates' directions in a loud environment.
  • Be an ambassador of our Guiding Values and Behaviors by making people smile, learning and growing together, finding solutions and taking initiative, working (and winning) as a team, having fun and celebrating success, and seeing the best in others!

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans
The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
601567 Madison, WI - West Washington Avenue

What Panera Bread employees say

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About Panera Bread

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panera began in 1987 as St. Louis Bread Company, a humble community bakery founded with a sourdough starter from San Francisco and a dream of putting a loaf of bread in every arm. While our business has expanded well beyond St. Louis since then, that same sourdough starter is still used in our iconic sourdough bread and the craft of baking bread fresh each day remains at the heart of Panera Bread. Each day our trained bakers fill our bakery shelves with delicious freshly baked cookies, pastries, bagels, and a range of breads from focaccia to classic baguettes. We believe in serving delicious, freshly prepared, Clean food made with carefully selected ingredients that we are proud to serve our own families. Our menu, crafted by chefs and bakers, features classic, comforting dishes, each with an intriguing twist. We respect our planet and take measures to lessen our impacts. We believe in treating people with warmth, kindness, and respect, whether it’s a guest in our cafe or one of our associates. And we believe in helping our local communities, especially in times of need.

Industry

Restaurants

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

Year founded

1981