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Dining Room Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

MATTESON RESTAURANT LLC

IN-ROOM DINING COOK

Matteson, IL · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Coordinate with servers, IRD associates, expediters, and other culinary team members. * Properly ... IN-ROOM DINING (IRD) * Prepare all assigned IRD orders according to established hotel and culinary ...

New

MATTESON RESTAURANT LLC

IN-ROOM DINING COOK

Matteson, IL · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Coordinate with servers, IRD associates, expediters, and other culinary team members. * Properly ... IN-ROOM DINING (IRD) * Prepare all assigned IRD orders according to established hotel and culinary ...

New

HarborChase LLC

WAITSTAFF

Naperville, IL · On-site

$16/hr

May perform other duties or fill in for other dining room or wait staff as requested * The ability to work in a safe and alert manner * The ability to take ownership for associate's safety and the ...

HarborChase of Naperville

WAITSTAFF

Naperville, IL

May perform other duties or fill in for other dining room or wait staff as requested * The ability to work in a safe and alert manner * The ability to take ownership for associate's safety and the ...

HarborChase

WAITSTAFF

Naperville, IL · On-site

May perform other duties or fill in for other dining room or wait staff as requested * The ability to work in a safe and alert manner * The ability to take ownership for associate's safety and the ...

RH-USA Inc

Associate Hospitality Leader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

Associate Hospitality Leader With over 20 Hospitality experiences worldwide, RH Hospitality ... RH's dining room service standards and support their professional growth * Partner with the ...

Tangled Roots Brewing Co.

Server Assistant

Lockport, IL · On-site

$9/hr

... dining room tables • Assists the wait staff to complete plated food items for service. • Strive to create a team oriented and safe work environment with fellow staff and associates while ...

RH

Associate Hospitality Leader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

RH is seeking a passionate and motivated Associate Hospitality Leader to drive service and ... RH's dining room service standards and support their professional growth * Partner with the ...

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All JobsDining Room Associate JobsDining Room Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Dining Room Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$9

$14

$19

How much do dining room associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for dining room associate in Chicago, IL is $14.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.88 and $16.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dining room associate?

Dining Room Associates are staff members responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, organization, and overall atmosphere of a restaurant's dining area. Their duties typically include setting and clearing tables, assisting servers, refilling water and other beverages, and ensuring that guests have a pleasant dining experience. They may also help with seating guests and responding to customer requests. Dining Room Associates play a key role in supporting the front-of-house team and ensuring smooth restaurant operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dining room associate?

To thrive as a Dining Room Associate, you need strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, reservation software, and basic food safety practices is often required. Exceptional communication, teamwork, and a positive attitude help create a welcoming dining experience. These skills ensure efficient operations, satisfied guests, and a smooth flow of service in a hospitality environment.

What are some common challenges dining room associates face during peak hours, and how can they effectively manage them?

Dining Room Associates often encounter high-pressure situations during peak dining hours, such as managing multiple tables, responding promptly to guest requests, and maintaining cleanliness. Effective time management, clear communication with kitchen and service staff, and staying organized are crucial for success. Many teams use coordinated systems or digital tools to track orders and service flow, making teamwork and adaptability essential skills for overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Dining Room Associate vs Waitstaff?

AspectDining Room AssociateWaitstaff
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; customer service skillsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food service experience
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, cafes, dining hallsRestaurants, catering events
Job DutiesAssisting guests, setting tables, maintaining cleanlinessTaking orders, serving food and drinks, handling payments

Both roles involve customer service in dining settings, but Dining Room Associates typically focus on maintaining the dining area and guest comfort, while Waitstaff actively serve food and beverages. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right position in the food service industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Dining Room jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Dining Room jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Dining Room Associate jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Dining Room Associate job openings:

Dining Room Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dining Room Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, and 38% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $30,709 per year, or $14.8 per hour.

School Dining General Manager

Elior North America

Riverdale, IL • On-site

$85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

School Dining General Manager

Job Reference Number: 42254
Employment Type: Full-Time, Onsite 
Segment: Education
Brand: Elior-School-Dining
Location: Dolton West SD #148

 #LI-SC1

 

The Role at a glance:

We are looking to add a motivated, effective general manager to our School Dining team in IL & WI. As a general manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team of food service workers and manage all aspects of a food service department to ensure that students, faculty and clients never miss a meal.

This position requires frequent travel between accounts in IL & WI, other states as needed (with overnight stays).

What you'll be doing:
  • Managing all functions of the food service department and its resources. 
  • Manage and lead a team of associates, including hiring and training new employees. 
  • Ensuring that staff meet all culinary, safety, and sanitation standards and regulations. 
  • Budgeting for the department, including directly purchasing ingredients and ensuring the account meets all targets and forecasts. 
  • Conferring with the district manager or other departments regarding the technical and administrative aspects of dining service. 
  • Addressing customer service needs. 
What we're looking for:

Must-haves: 

  • At least five years of experience coordinating food service operations within multiple units 
  • Previous experience with industrial cooking. 
  • Excellent communication skills and experience communicating with both hourly staff and company executives. 
  • The ability to manage in a diverse environment with a strong focus on client and customer services and satisfaction. 
  • Experience with and knowledge of all Microsoft Office suite applications. 

Nice-to-haves: 

  • Previous experience in school dining under NSLP 
  • Previous experience in food service contract services 
  • ServSafe and/or HACCP certification 
Where you'll be working:

School Dining accounts in IL & WI (other states as needed)

Compensation Range

Up to $85,000 depending on experience 

Our Benefits:
  • Medical (FT Employees)
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Voluntary UNUM offering for Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity
  • Discount Program
  • Commuter Benefits (Parking and Transit) 
  • EAP
  • 401k
  • Sick Time
  • Holiday Pay (9 paid holidays)
  • Tuition Reimbursement (FT Employees)
  • Paid Time Off 

About Elior School Dining:

Elior School Dining partners with public and charter schools across the country, serving millions of meals that meet NSLP guidelines while exceeding expectations. We create thoughtful, customized dining experiences rooted in fresh food, student voice, and collaboration - fueling school pride, smart choices, and brighter futures with every meal. 

About Elior-North America:

Elior North America is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We take pride in supporting the development of our employees and their skills at all levels and in fostering an environment of growth.

At Elior North America, we are committed to offering growth and advancement opportunities for all of our employees. The valuable skills and experience you've gained with Elior will propel you further in your career, whether with our corporate office or one of our brand segments.

Disclaimer: This job description can be revised  by management as needed.

Elior North America logo

About Elior North America

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Elior North America enhances people's lives through culinary innovation and a commitment to providing exemplary service. Our family of companies, with more than 17,000 employees, provides food services and catering to over 1,500 client accounts in five industry segments across the continental United States. We are proud to be the fifth largest culinary management company in the country and excited to be the fastest growing organization in the industry. We focus on three ingredients for success to differentiate Elior from our competitors and position our company as a disruptor in the markets we serve. To support our ingredients for success and drive our mission and values, we need talented team members throughout our family of companies.

Industry

Food and beverage stores

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Charlotte, NC, US

Year founded

2008

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