Role Purpose
The Kitchen Team Leader is a hands-on leader responsible for supporting daily back-of-house operations while ensuring exceptional food quality, food safety, cleanliness, and operational efficiency. This role leads by example, coaches Kitchen Team Members, and helps execute Chick & Tender standards on every shift.
The Kitchen Team Leader works alongside the Hourly Kitchen Manager and General Manager to develop the kitchen team, maintain operational excellence, and deliver a consistent guest experience through quality food and strong teamwork.
This position reports directly to the Hourly Kitchen Manager and General Manager.
Core Responsibilities
1. Kitchen Operations
- Lead assigned kitchen shifts by ensuring food quality, speed of service, cleanliness, and food safety standards are consistently achieved.
- Support station deployment and kitchen workflow to maximize efficiency and teamwork.
- Ensure all food is prepared according to Chick & Tender recipes, portion standards, and build procedures.
- Monitor product quality, holding times, and kitchen readiness throughout each shift.
- Lead opening, shift change, and closing procedures as assigned.
2. Team Development & Culture
- Lead by example through professionalism, urgency, and a positive attitude.
- Train, coach, and support Kitchen Team Members during daily operations.
- Reinforce company standards and provide immediate coaching when opportunities arise.
- Help create a culture built on accountability, teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement.
- Welcome and assist in training new team members.
3. Food Safety & Cleanliness
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements.
- Verify proper product labeling, dating, storage, and FIFO rotation.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.
- Assist with equipment cleaning, preventative maintenance, and reporting repair needs.
4. Operational Support
- Assist the Hourly Kitchen Manager with inventory counts, product organization, and waste reduction.
- Communicate operational challenges and product needs to restaurant leadership.
- Support catering production, new menu rollouts, and operational initiatives.
- Step into additional leadership responsibilities when assigned.
5. Other Duties
- Perform other duties as assigned to support Chick & Tender operations, initiatives, and organizational goals.
Expectations
Kitchen Team Leaders are expected to:
- Lead with integrity, professionalism, and a servant-leadership mindset.
- Set the pace for urgency, food quality, and teamwork.
- Coach teammates respectfully while maintaining accountability.
- Remain calm and organized during high-volume periods.
- Communicate effectively with restaurant leadership and fellow team members.
- Take ownership of kitchen performance during assigned shifts.