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Food For Thought Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Barista

Chicago, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

O'Hare Airport Job Summary As a Food for Thought Cashier/Barista, you will greet customers, take their orders, and use excellent time management and organizational skills to prepare and serve coffee ...

Barista

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Downtown Chicago Job Summary As a Food for Thought Cashier/Barista, you will greet customers, take their orders, and use excellent time management and organizational skills to prepare and serve ...

Catering Attendant - DS

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Downtown Chicago Job Summary As a Food for Thought Catering Attendant, you will prepare and execute catering orders, set up and deliver all food and beverage orders to conference rooms on time ...

Line Cook / Prep Cook

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19 - $20.75/hr

O'Hare airport - Chicago, IL Job Summary As one of our Food For Thought Cooks, you will prepare all products in accordance to FFT standards or as specified by the Chef (Prep Lists: Wet pack, Dry Pack ...

Barista

Glenview, IL · On-site

$19/hr

Glenview, IL Job Summary As a Food for Thought Cashier/Barista, you will greet customers, take their orders, and use excellent time management and organizational skills to prepare and serve coffee ...

Cook II - DS

Chicago, IL · On-site

$20/hr

Chicago, IL (North Side) Job Summary As one of our Food For Thought Cooks, you will prepare all products in accordance to FFT standards or as specified by the Chef (Prep Lists: Wet pack, Dry Pack ...

Cook II - DS

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

Schaumburg, IL Job Summary As one of our Food For Thought Cooks, you will prepare all products in accordance to FFT standards or as specified by the Chef (Prep Lists: Wet pack, Dry Pack, Cold Garnish ...

Northbrook, IL Job Summary As one of our Food For Thought Cooks, you will prepare all products in accordance to FFT standards or as specified by the Chef (Prep Lists: Wet pack, Dry Pack, Cold Garnish ...

Downtown Chicago , IL About the Role As a Food and Beverage Specialist with Food For Thought, you will play a key role in delivering an elevated workplace hospitality experience within one of our ...

Dishwasher

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$15 - $17.50/hr

Schaumburg, IL Job Summary As one of our FFT Dishwashers, you will be responsible for maintaining ... Stocking supplies, such as food or utensils, in serving stations, cupboards, refrigerators, or ...

Cook I

Goodyear, AZ · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Goodyear, AZ Job Summary As one of our Food For Thought Cooks, you will prepare all products in accordance to FFT standards or as specified by the Chef (Prep Lists: Wet pack, Dry Pack, Cold Garnish ...

Chef Manager

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Food For Thought is hiring a Chef Manager to oversee both the Front and Back of House teams across our Chicagoland café locations. In this role, you'll set the vision for your kitchen, stay ahead of ...

Cook II

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19 - $20.75/hr

Downtown Chicago, IL Job Summary As one of our Food For Thought Cooks, you will prepare all products in accordance to FFT standards or as specified by the Chef (Prep Lists: Wet pack, Dry Pack, Cold ...

Pastry Cook

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Lincolnwood, IL Job Summary As one of our Food for Thought Pastry Cooks, you will prepare all products in accordance with FFT standards or as specified by the Pastry Chef, creating petite pastries ...

WOK / LINE COOK

Boca Raton, FL · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The saying runs true...if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen...and our kitchens are LIT (literally)! What you will do: * Be Genuine and authentically yourself * Work ...

WOK / LINE COOK

Boca Raton, FL · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The saying runs true...if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen...and our kitchens are LIT (literally)! What you will do: * Be Genuine and authentically yourself * Work ...

Lead Cook (Brookhaven, Ga)

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$17 - $21.50/hr

Holds monthly "Food for Thought" meetings for AL and MC residents. During summer months and/or major holidays, coordinates with the Engagement department on cookouts/Dining Under the Stars event, etc.

Lead Cook (Brookhaven, Ga)

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$17 - $21.50/hr

Holds monthly "Food for Thought" meetings for AL and MC residents. During summer months and/or major holidays, coordinates with the Engagement department on cookouts/Dining Under the Stars event, etc.

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Food For Thought information

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$10

$18

$25

How much do food for thought jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for food for thought in the United States is $18.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Food For Thought vs Food Service Worker?

AspectFood For ThoughtFood Service Worker
Required CredentialsNone or basic food handling certificationsFood handler permits, sometimes certifications
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, community programsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, nonprofitsHospitality, food service industry
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Food For Thought roles typically involve educational or community-based food programs, often requiring minimal certifications. Food Service Workers are employed in restaurants or cafeterias, with more industry-specific food handling permits. Both roles focus on food preparation and service but differ mainly in work environment and certification requirements.

More about Food For Thought jobs

What cities are hiring for Food For Thought jobs?

Cities with the most Food For Thought job openings:

What states have the most Food For Thought jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food For Thought jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Food For Thought jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Food For Thought jobs are:

Infographic showing various Food For Thought job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,646 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Barista

Food for Thought

Chicago, IL • On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Greet customers and take their orders in a friendly manner.

  • Prepare and serve beverages such as coffee, espresso, tea, and other specialty drinks according to company recipes.

  • Operate a Point of Sale (POS) system to process cash payments, balance cash drawers, and ensure transaction accuracy.


Food For Thought rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 68 rated caterers


Job description

Job Position: Cashier/Barista

Hours: 5 Days a Week 10AM - 6PM

Wage: $18 - $20 per hour

Location: O'Hare Airport 


Job Summary

As a Food for Thought Cashier/Barista, you will greet customers, take their orders, and use excellent time management and organizational skills to prepare and serve coffee, blended coffee, cold drinks, teas, espresso, pastries, cookies and other sweets and drinks.


You will process cash payments as well as operate a Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions, balancing cash drawers and ensuring accuracy. You will be knowledgeable of FFT products and policies to resolve customer concerns and answer their questions.


Responsibilities

• Greeting guests in a friendly, approachable, and courteous manner.

• Preparing and serving beverages such as drip coffee, espresso-based drinks, tea, and other specialty drinks per company recipe guidelines.

• Working on special events and taking on special projects.

• Ensure item pricing is accurate.

• Stock and refill inventory such as coffee cups, straws, napkins, and utensils; supervise inventory levels and communicate when necessary to ensure inventory is not low or out.

• Maintaining food service facilities and equipment by complying with the highest standards of safety and sanitation procedures.

• Engaging in additional supportive duties as assigned.

• Other duties as assigned.


Required Qualifications

• Customer Service excellence.

• Strong coffee knowledge, such as how to prepare common coffee beverages.

• Cash handling and Point of Sale system.

• Basic math skills.

• Ability to work with speed, consistency, and organization.

• Comfortable in busy environments.

• Must provide valid Food Handler Certificate and Food Allergen Certification.


Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of brewing methods and specialty drinks.

• Team player, thriving in collaborative environments.

• Outgoing personality and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.

• Excellent communication skills.


Why We’re the Leaders

  • Excellent training
  • Employee Referral bonuses
  • Flexible scheduling 
  • Career advancement opportunities
  • Competitive Pay
  • Anniversary Milestone Incentives


Company Benefits & Perks

  • Paid Time Off
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance – Includes Spouse and Domestic Partner Coverage (Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Paid Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) & Critical Illness Insurance
  • Short Term Disability
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  1. Mental Health, Relationship Conflicts, Child and Eldercare, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss
  • Assistance for you and household members
  • In Person Sessions
  • Unlimited phone access
  • Parental Leave – Equal benefits to Mothers and Fathers
  • 401K Retirement Plan
  • FFT University - Over 70 courses designed to enhance your skills in life and on the job to help your career growth.
  • Employee Meal Plan
  • Employee Discounts (Pet Insurance, Entertainment, Travel, Company Discounts, and much more).

 

Company Values & Culture

• Collaboration & Open Communication

• Diverse, Inclusive, Safe, and Motivating

• Our Triple Bottom Line – People, Product and Planet

• A Net Positive Organization

 

Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years!

 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to reach at or below the shoulder; lift and carry items up to 40 pounds for a moderate distance. The employee is required to use their hands to handle tools, grasp, and control objects. Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble items.

The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, move, reach, grab, and stand for long periods of time. As well as stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing ladders.

EEO Statement

Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

 

E-Verify Participation

Food For Thought participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.


What Food For Thought employees say

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