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Kitchen Helper Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

Wendy's

Kitchen Manager

Ames, IA · On-site

Why Wendy's A Wendy's Kitchen Manager is responsible for ensuring we are upholding our commitment ... Helping to execute appropriate shift-specific procedures according to the Daily Operations Plan ...

Hickory Park

All Hickory Park Positions

Ames, IA · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

... Host and Kitchen staff to provide legendary service to every guest who dines at our restaurant. We have multiple shift options and looking for full-time and part-time help. You will make great ...

Iowa Youth Services

Cook - PT (56147)

Cambridge, IA · On-site

$13.50 - $18.25/hr

From the first chopped onion to the last clean pan, you'll help keep the kitchen running smoothly and the meals coming out hot, nutritious, and delicious. One minute you might be plating lunch for a ...

YSS

Cook - PT (56147)

Cambridge, IA · On-site

$13.50 - $18.25/hr

From the first chopped onion to the last clean pan, you'll help keep the kitchen running smoothly and the meals coming out hot, nutritious, and delicious. One minute you might be plating lunch for a ...

Tribute Eatery & Bar

Dishwasher

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$15/hr

We're looking for dependable team members who can help keep our kitchen clean, organized, and running smoothly. No previous restaurant experience is required. If you're reliable, ready to work, and ...

Noodles & Company

Restaurant Team Member - Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$12 - $17/hr

We are hiring Team Members to join our back-of-house kitchen crew as cooks and line cooks who prepare fresh ingredients, cook dishes to order, and help keep our kitchens running smoothly and ...

Noodles & Company

Restaurant Team Member - Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$12 - $17/hr

We are hiring Team Members to join our back-of-house kitchen crew as cooks and line cooks who prepare fresh ingredients, cook dishes to order, and help keep our kitchens running smoothly and ...

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All JobsKitchen Helper JobsKitchen Helper Jobs in Ames, IA

Kitchen Helper information

See Ames, IA salary details

$9

$14

$18

How much do kitchen helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for kitchen helper in Ames, IA is $14.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.65 and $15.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a kitchen helper?

As a kitchen helper, you perform a variety of duties in a restaurant, cafe, or large commercial kitchen. You use food service skills to assist chefs, wait staff, and restaurant managers with a variety of tasks to keep the kitchen functioning smoothly and safely. Although there are no formal qualifications required for this career, you typically have some form of previous restaurant work experience, such as dishwashing or bussing tables. You do not interact directly with customers, although your job may be near customer areas. Kitchen helpers must be detail oriented and capable of multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a kitchen helper, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Kitchen Helper, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of kitchen sanitation standards, and the physical stamina to handle standing for long periods. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment and safe food handling certifications, such as a food handler's permit, are often required. Strong teamwork, time management, and a positive attitude help you excel in a fast-paced and collaborative kitchen environment. These skills are important to maintain safety, efficiency, and high-quality food service in any culinary operation.

What are some common challenges faced by kitchen helpers and how can they be managed?

Kitchen helpers often work in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where multitasking and efficiency are crucial. Common challenges include standing for long periods, managing time effectively during busy service hours, and maintaining cleanliness while juggling multiple tasks. To manage these challenges, it's important to wear comfortable, non-slip footwear, stay organized by following a prep list, and communicate clearly with team members to coordinate tasks smoothly. Adhering to kitchen safety and hygiene protocols also helps minimize stress and ensures a productive workflow.

What is the difference between Kitchen Helper vs Dishwasher?

AspectKitchen HelperDishwasher
Primary ResponsibilitiesAssisting with food prep, cleaning, organizingLoading, operating, and cleaning dishwashing equipment
Required SkillsBasic kitchen knowledge, ability to follow instructionsAbility to operate dishwashing machines, attention to cleanliness
Work EnvironmentKitchen, food prep areasKitchen, dishwashing stations
CertificationsNone typically requiredNone typically required

While both roles support kitchen operations, a Kitchen Helper assists with a variety of tasks including food prep and cleaning, whereas a Dishwasher focuses primarily on cleaning dishes and kitchenware. Both positions are entry-level and essential for maintaining efficient kitchen workflows.

More about Kitchen Helper jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Kitchen jobs in Ames, IA?

The most popular types of Kitchen jobs in Ames, IA are:

What job categories do people searching Kitchen Helper jobs in Ames, IA look for?

The top searched job categories for Kitchen Helper jobs in Ames, IA are:

What cities near Ames, IA are hiring for Kitchen Helper jobs?

Cities near Ames, IA with the most Kitchen Helper job openings:

Kitchen Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Kitchen Helper job openings in Ames, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $30,980 per year, or $14.9 per hour.

Kitchen Manager

Wendy's

Ames, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Wendy's rating

4.7

Company rating: 4.7 out of 10

Based on 2,367 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 107 rated fast food restaurants

Job description

Why Wendy's
A Wendy's Kitchen Manager is responsible for ensuring we are upholding our commitment to quality. In this role, you directly impact the ability of the restaurant to "Delight Every Customer" by ensuring compliance in the areas of service, production, quality and food safety. You are instrumental in the restaurant's ability to deliver our core menu of high quality items, along with our limited time (LTO) menu options. You will partner with other restaurant management to identify specific opportunities for optimizing and maximizing the profitability of the restaurant.
Responsibilities include:
  • Training, monitoring and reinforcing food safety procedures to crew members.
  • Acting as Cash Manager as needed, including setting up cash registers at open, reconciling cash registers throughout the shift and verifying safe cash at open, close and shift change.
  • Acting as Operations Leader, organizing, overseeing and supervising shifts by completing and executing the Daily Operations Plan.
  • Performing walk-throughs to ensure the restaurant is ready to open or close and ready for each rush period.
  • Perform walk throughs throughout shift with specific focus on items that impact Taste and Accuracy.
  • Utilizing flow charts and checklists to ensure complete and timely opens, closes and post rush activities while maximizing labor efficiency.
  • Working with restaurant management team to train, develop and communicate with crew members and Team Trainers through Four Corner Training, team huddles, manager meetings, etc. Supervising crew members and Team Trainers in a way that maximizes retention.
  • Leading the kitchen team to ensure quality, production and service standards are met and to create a safe, efficient and professional environment for customers and other employees.
  • Monitoring product cooking, labeling, holding and rotation to ensure only safe, fresh quality product is served while minimizing waste.
  • Helping to execute appropriate shift-specific procedures according to the Daily Operations Plan. Assist the restaurant management team in maintaining proper coverage via crew member schedules to ensure that the restaurant attains/exceeds all customer service standards.
  • Following up and ensuring resolution of Taste and Accuracy issues as indicated in Voice of the Customer reports.
  • Impacting restaurant food cost by verifying inventory received on truck orders, completing and analyzing daily shift inventory counts, receiving and entering product credits and transfers into the back office system, monitoring and tracking waste, adjusting forecasts, prep and bin charts, and assisting restaurant management team in creating and utilizing actions plans to impact food cost.
  • Checking inventory levels and placing food orders.
  • Executing weekly and positional cleaning schedules by assigning, coaching and following up on cleaning tasks with crew members.

What you can expect
  • Direct Deposit
  • Free Meals
  • Pay for Grades--we pay you for being an excellent student!
  • Paid Vacation
  • Annual Performance Review and Performance Based Wage Increases
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
  • On the Job Training
  • Advancement Opportunities
  • Fun, Recognition and Team Environment
  • 401(k) - not matched
  • Shoe Credits

What we expect from you
  • High School Diploma or GED.
  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Must be able to pass criminal background check and drug screening.
  • One or more years of restaurant experience preferred.
  • Ability to multi-task while maintaining composure and give sound advice and direction.
  • Must be able to take direction, give direction, work well in a team environment and have a strong customer orientation focus.
  • Must exhibit professionalism, composure and discretion when expediting or resolving all customer related concerns and issues.
  • Ability to work, concentrate and perform duties accurately in a fast-paced environment that may involve noise and hot/cold temperatures.
  • Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time.
  • Ability and willingness to wear a headset.
  • Physical ability to lift (up to 25-50 pounds as necessary), reach, push, pull, bend kneel and stoop.
  • Must be available to report to work promptly and regularly, as well as work all dayparts and days of the week.
  • May be required to transfer from one location to another and must have the ability to travel to other restaurants as business needs dictate.
  • Must have or be willing to obtain ServSafe certification.

This job opportunity is with one of our many franchisees. Independently owned and operated, Wendy's franchise organizations determine their own compensation, benefits and career programs which may vary from company-owned locations.

What Wendy's employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Wendy's logo

About Wendy's

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Wendy's is an internationally recognized fast-food chain headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, US. Falling under the industry of food services, the company began its journey in 1969 and was founded by Dave Thomas, who named the restaurant after his fourth daughter Wendy. The core offerings of Wendy's include a variety of quality-made, signature items such as ‘old-fashioned hamburgers’, ‘frosty desserts’, chicken sandwiches, salads, and breakfast menu among others. Continually striving for the best, the company's mission is to deliver superior quality products and services for their customers and communities through leadership, innovation, and partnerships. Wendy's has marked many achievements over the years, one of their notable accomplishments includes becoming the third-largest burger fast-food chain in the world proving their popularity among the masses.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Dublin, OH, US

Year founded

1969

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