Cafe Helper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Logan Inn is a soon-to-open neighborhood lounge and café inspired by the timeless hospitality of a vintage European inn. By day, we serve exceptional coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. By night, the room transforms into a warm, energetic cocktail destination built around classic drinks, genuine hospitality, and community. Upstairs, Logan Inn is home to 28 guest rooms, creating a unique opportunity to serve both neighborhood regulars and travelers alike.

We are looking for an experienced, passionate Cafe Manager to lead our cafe program and help build one of the most hospitable businesses in Chicago.

Position Overview

The Café Manager is responsible for leading the daily execution of the Logan Inn café and all things food while working alongside the team to deliver exceptional hospitality, outstanding coffee, and thoughtfully prepared food.

This is a hands-on leadership role, with the majority of scheduled hours spent actively serving guests and supporting daily café operations. In addition to working on the floor, the Café Manager oversees inventory, ordering, training, merchandising, menu execution, and other administrative responsibilities.

The Café Manager reports directly to the General Manager and works closely with the Operating Partner to execute and uphold the vision of the Logan Inn café.
Primary Responsibilities
Guest Experience

• Deliver exceptional hospitality while actively working in the café.
• Prepare and serve coffee, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and other café offerings to Logan Inn standards.
• Create a welcoming environment that encourages guests to linger and return.
• Resolve guest and team member concerns professionally and promptly.

Café Program

• Execute and maintain Logan Inn's coffee, pastry, sandwich, salad, prep, and retail programs.
• Assist with seasonal menu development, beverage innovation, and product testing.
• Maintain recipe consistency, food presentation, and quality standards.
• Support catering, special events, and café programming.

Operations

• Assist with ordering, inventory, receiving, and product organization.
• Monitor food and beverage quality, freshness, and waste.
• Help manage café cost controls and inventory levels.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, sanitation, and health code compliance throughout the café, prep kitchen, and guest areas.
• Ensure equipment is properly maintained and communicate maintenance needs promptly.

Team Development

• Train, coach, and mentor café team members.
• Lead coffee education, beverage training, food training, health and saftey, and pre-shift meetings.
• Support onboarding and the continued development of new employees.
• Reinforce hospitality standards, food safety practices, and operational consistency.
• Communicate performance observations and operational recommendations to the General Manager.

Leadership

• Lead by example through professionalism, urgency, consistency, and hospitality.
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Help ensure daily service standards are consistently achieved.
• Support operational initiatives established by ownership and the General Manager.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience in specialty coffee, restaurants, kitchens, or cafés.
• Minimum one year of experience in a lead barista, café manager, or similar leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, espresso preparation, coffee, tea, food safety, and café operations.
• Experience with inventory management, ordering, and cost controls.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.
• Passion for hospitality, coffee, food, and developing others.

• Health insurance with a Company contribution for eligible employees
• 401(k) plan
• Paid Time Off
• Dining and beverage discounts
• Employee dining discounts at Logan Inn and participating neighborhood restaurants
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities, including coffee education, tastings, and industry events
• Participation in future Company-sponsored benefit programs as they become available

Logan Inn exists to become the most hospitable business in Chicago.

Hospitality isn't a department. It's the foundation of everything we do.

We believe a great café is about more than exceptional coffee and food. It's about creating a place where neighbors gather, quality ingredients and food are celebrated, mornings begin, and every guest and employee feels genuinely cared for.

Exceptional guest experiences begin with exceptional operations. When standards are clear, systems are strong, and the team feels supported, we're free to focus on what matters most: making people feel at home.

This is an opportunity for someone who loves hospitality, coffee, and food, enjoys developing others, and wants to help build a café that becomes part of the daily rhythm of Logan Square. You'll help shape the guest experience, influence our culture, and grow alongside Logan Inn.