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Express Kitchen Jobs (NOW HIRING)

An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills. * Employee driven assistance ... California Pizza Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any ...

Kitchen Manager

Kapolei, HI · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our ... An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills. * Employee driven assistance ...

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our ... An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills. * Employee driven assistance ...

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our ... An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills. * Employee driven assistance ...

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our ... An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills. * Employee driven assistance ...

Kitchen Manager

Joplin, MO · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Road Ranger is looking for a Kitchen Manager to join the Joplin, MO team to manage the Road Ranger Kitchen and Subway Express! Competitive pay based on experience! Join the Road Ranger family and see ...

Kitchen Manager

Joplin, MO · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Road Ranger is looking for a Kitchen Manager to join the Joplin, MO team to manage the Road Ranger Kitchen and Subway Express! Competitive pay based on experience! Join the Road Ranger family and see ...

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Express Kitchen information

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How much do express kitchen jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for express kitchen in the United States is $15.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $16.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Express Kitchen Worker, and why are they important?

To excel as an Express Kitchen Worker, you need strong food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, point-of-sale systems, and sometimes a food handler certification is typically required. Excellent teamwork, time management, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are important soft skills that enhance performance in this role. These abilities are crucial for maintaining high-quality food service, ensuring customer satisfaction, and supporting smooth kitchen operations in a fast-paced environment.

What are the main challenges faced by employees working in an Express Kitchen environment?

Employees in an Express Kitchen often face the challenge of maintaining speed and efficiency while ensuring food quality and safety standards are met. The fast-paced environment demands excellent multitasking skills and the ability to work seamlessly with team members, especially during peak hours. Adaptability and clear communication are key, as roles may shift quickly to meet customer demands and keep service running smoothly.

What is the difference between Express Kitchen vs Line Cook?

AspectExpress KitchenLine Cook
CredentialsFood Handler's Permit, culinary trainingFood Handler's Permit, culinary training
Work EnvironmentFast-paced, high-volume kitchens, often in quick-service restaurantsFast-paced kitchens, preparing specific dishes on the line
Employer & IndustryRestaurants, cafes, fast-food chainsRestaurants, hotels, catering services
Common Search/ComparisonExpress Kitchen vs Line Cook

The main difference between an Express Kitchen and a Line Cook lies in their roles within the kitchen. An Express Kitchen typically refers to a fast-paced environment focused on quick service, often requiring specific certifications like a Food Handler's Permit. A Line Cook specializes in preparing specific dishes on the kitchen line, working closely with other kitchen staff. Both roles require culinary skills and work in similar fast-paced settings, but their responsibilities and focus areas differ slightly.

What is an Express Kitchen?

An Express Kitchen is a streamlined food preparation and service area, typically found in restaurants or food service establishments, designed to prepare and serve meals quickly and efficiently. These kitchens often focus on a limited menu of popular or easy-to-prepare items to ensure fast turnaround times for customers. Express Kitchens are commonly used in fast-casual dining, food courts, and takeaway settings, where speed and convenience are prioritized. Staff working in Express Kitchens must be skilled in multitasking, food safety, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
More about Express Kitchen jobs
What job categories do people searching Express Kitchen jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Express Kitchen jobs are:
Infographic showing various Express Kitchen job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, and 75% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $32,047 per year, or $15.4 per hour.
Kitchen Manager

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


California Pizza Kitchen rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 86 rated restaurants


Job description

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCKS philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, Kindness and Service). We are committed to moving people forward and encourage everyone to apply their passion at CPK. So go ahead…be bold, be epic, be YOU!

THE PERKS

  • Comprehensive eight-week training program utilizing several methods of learning including online, book and shoulder-to-shoulder teaching.
  • Tremendously passionate, one-of-a-kind company culture.
  • Opportunities for growth and development. We love promoting from within!
  • Unique electronic learning platform appropriately titled “The Proof” to engage continuous development.
  • All the pizza you can eat! Manager meals while working and a Management Dine-Out card to enjoy with your family and friends.
  • An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills.
  • Employee driven assistance program called the Kindness Fund which lends a helping hand to our team members encountering life challenges.
  • Industry competitive compensation package including bonus potential.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision and more.

OUR EXPECTATIONS

  • Delivering a phenomenal guest experience. 
  • Leading and inspiring the team with a people-first mentality to build on CPK's best in class culture.
  • Building a team around hospitality and culinary execution and developing top talent to drive the business forward - fostering career growth and cross training for the team.
  • Building sales, profitability, and guest counts.
  • Managing the P&L for the restaurant.
  • Meeting financial objectives by forecasting, adjusting labor expenditures, practicing portion controls, preparing budgets, and analyzing variances. 
  • Utilizing excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively interact with employees, guests, suppliers and senior management.
  • Maintaining a safe and healthy environment by establishing, following, and complying with sanitation standards and procedures

WHO IS CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN

We are passionate individuals committed to inspiring others by bringing California creativity to every meal! Founded in 1985, former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax combined their fervor for food and fresh ingredients to create innovative, hearth-baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, California Club and Thai Chicken that are created in a lively open kitchen. The concept gave California a place in the pizza revolution alongside Chicago and New York. CPK has since become the place for taste makers, rule breakers and earth shakers who conquer challenges by daring to work on the edge and thinking outside the box. 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum of two years FOH management experience in a high volume, faced paced restaurant.
  • Strong communication skills – verbal and written.
  • Exceptional leadership skills – ability to motivate, inspire and develop a team.
  • Passionate about execution, hospitality and service. 

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to computer terminals. The noise level and temperature is moderate. The employee has the ability to sit, stand and/or walk for up to 10 hours a day. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, bend or kneel, lift up to 40 lbs. and perform other diverse physical tasks as needed. The vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

NOTE: CPK reserves the right to revise or change the position plan as the need arises. This position plan is not all inclusive of total job responsibilities nor does it constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

A full job description, including physical demands of the job is available upon request.

Various benefits are available for this position, including 401K, health, dental, vision, and disability insurance through CPK’s designated providers. CPK regularly reviews its benefits offerings and may change benefits and providers from time to time.

California Pizza Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, or any other legally protected classification. Everyone has a seat at our table.


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About California Pizza Kitchen

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), based in Los Angeles, California, US, operates in the restaurant industry, particularly renowned for its unique style of pizza. Established in 1985 by attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, CPK quickly gained popularity for its innovative recipes, including the iconic BBQ Chicken Pizza. With a firm commitment to quality and creativity, the mission at CPK is to give a unique dining experience where authentic California-style cuisine is presented in imaginative ways. The company's offerings extend beyond pizzas to include a wide variety of salads, pastas, soups, sandwiches and desserts among other items.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

1985