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Restaurant Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

7-ELEVEN

Restaurant Crew

Rancho Cordova, CA · On-site

$16.50 - $22.11/hr

The Restaurant Associate is an entry level opportunity that is responsible for providing prompt, efficient, safe, and courteous quality food service to the guest. Cashier, customer service, retail ...

7-ELEVEN

Restaurant Crew

Rancho Cordova, CA

$16.50 - $22.11/hr

The Restaurant Associate is an entry level opportunity that is responsible for providing prompt, efficient, safe, and courteous quality food service to the guest. Cashier, customer service, retail ...

Remington

Restaurant Manager

Yountville, CA · On-site

$75K - $78K/yr

Efficiently supervise, guide and train all restaurant associates in how to perform their job duties to the best of their abilities. * Schedule, evaluate and direct all restaurant personnel, including ...

Kelly Services

Retail Support Associate

San Jose, CA

$21/hr

Retail & Restaurant Associate Location: San Jose | Pay: $21/hour + Benefits Do you thrive in a vibrant, customer-focused environment? We're looking for a friendly and dependable Retail & Restaurant ...

Apply Early

Restaurant Associates

COOK (FULL TIME)

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$26/hr

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

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Saks

Restaurant Cook

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$22.03 - $27.54/hr

YOU WILL BE: The Restaurant Cook assists main restaurant Associates in maintaining high quality food items while keeping in mind the cost and profitability of inventory. The Cook does so by ...

Restaurant Associates

CHEF (SEASONAL)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30/hr

Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted ...

Apply Early

Trader Vic's

General Manager II

San Jose, CA · On-site

$75K - $88K/yr

Ensures on-boarding and off-boarding of all restaurant associates, to include all activities related to compliance with proper badging requirements, orientation, OJT, and other company training ...

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All JobsRestaurant Associate JobsRestaurant Associate Jobs in California

Restaurant Associate information

See California salary details

$8

$15

$27

How much do restaurant associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant associate in California is $15.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.36 and $15.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is Restaurant Associates a good company to work for?

Restaurant Associates offers roles such as restaurant associates in food service environments, typically providing entry-level positions with opportunities for advancement. The company is known for a structured work environment, competitive pay, and benefits, though experiences can vary by location and role. Prospective employees should research specific locations and review employee feedback for a comprehensive understanding.

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

To thrive as a Restaurant Associate, you need strong customer service skills, basic food safety knowledge, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, food handling certifications, and kitchen equipment is typically required. Exceptional communication, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure efficient service, customer satisfaction, and a smooth-running restaurant environment.

What is an associate at a restaurant?

A restaurant associate is an employee who performs various tasks such as serving customers, taking orders, handling payments, and maintaining cleanliness. They often work in fast-paced environments and may need good communication skills and knowledge of POS systems. The role can include positions like server, cashier, or busser, depending on the restaurant's structure.

What do Restaurant Associates do?

Restaurant Associates employees typically work in food service roles such as servers, cooks, dishwashers, or hosts in dining establishments. They are responsible for preparing, serving, and maintaining food and customer service standards, often requiring knowledge of food safety and customer interaction skills.

What is the difference between Restaurant Associate vs Food Service Worker?

AspectRestaurant AssociateFood Service Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often required
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, cafes, fast food outletsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food service industryWidely used in food service establishments and institutional settings
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting customers, taking orders, maintaining cleanlinessPreparing food, serving customers, cleaning

Both roles involve customer service and food handling, but a Restaurant Associate typically focuses more on customer interaction and order management, while a Food Service Worker may have broader food preparation duties. The roles often overlap, but the title 'Restaurant Associate' is more common in retail and fast food chains, emphasizing customer service.

What is the 30/30/30 rule for restaurants?

The 30/30/30 rule in restaurants typically refers to a time management guideline where staff aim to greet customers within 30 seconds, take their order within 30 seconds of greeting, and serve the food within 30 minutes of ordering. It helps ensure efficient service and customer satisfaction. Restaurant associates should be familiar with such standards to maintain smooth operations.

What are Restaurant Associates?

Restaurant Associates are employees who support daily operations in a restaurant, including tasks like taking orders, serving food, preparing simple dishes, and ensuring customer satisfaction. They may also help with cleaning, stocking supplies, and assisting kitchen staff as needed. The role requires good communication skills, multitasking, and a friendly attitude to provide a positive dining experience for guests. Restaurant Associates are essential for maintaining a smooth and efficient service environment.

What are some typical challenges a Restaurant Associate might face during busy shifts, and how can they manage these effectively?

During peak hours, Restaurant Associates often encounter challenges such as handling multiple customer requests simultaneously, maintaining accuracy in orders, and ensuring quick service under pressure. Effective time management, clear communication with both kitchen staff and fellow associates, and staying organized are key strategies to manage these situations. Many restaurants provide training on multitasking and customer service to help associates excel during high-demand periods, and teamwork plays a crucial role in keeping operations smooth.
What are the most commonly searched types of Restaurant jobs in California? The most popular types of Restaurant jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Restaurant Associate jobs in California? For Restaurant Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Restaurant Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Restaurant Associate jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Restaurant Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Restaurant Associate job openings:
Restaurant Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Associate job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 56% Full Time, 42% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,602 per year, or $15.2 per hour.
Restaurant Crew

Restaurant Crew

7-ELEVEN

Rancho Cordova, CA • On-site

$16.50 - $22.11/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

7-Eleven rating

4.3

Company rating: 4.3 out of 10

Based on 801 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 47 rated convenience stores

Job description

7-Eleven is an iconic family of brands with over 86,000 locations, surpassing every retailer in the world. We revolutionize convenience, restaurants and fuel through cutting edge innovation - working hard to be the customer's first choice. 7-Eleven empowers our employees to "activate awesome" and make a meaningful impact in their stores and communities every day. If you're ready to grow, lead and make a difference, come join our team and help shape the future of convenience.
Restaurant Team Member
Are you looking for an exciting fast-paced work environment where you will be part of a team? Do you take pride in providing exceptional customer service? The Restaurant Associate is an entry level opportunity that is responsible for providing prompt, efficient, safe, and courteous quality food service to the guest. Cashier, customer service, retail sales or foodservice experience is great, but not required. As a valued member of the Team, you'll witness first-hand why we have the best customers and employees around!
What we bring:
  • A focus and dedication to your success! We are committed to ensuring our employees receive proper training so they can confidently provide excellent customer service to our customers every time they visit.
  • A strong "promote from within" philosophy providing advancement opportunities for all levels.
  • Schedule flexibility! We have opportunities with schedules to fit your life.

Our benefits include:
  • 401k Plan (US only)
  • RRSP Plan (Canada only)
  • Premium Pay for Holidays Worked
  • Paid PTO Plans (subject to eligibility requirements)
  • Tuition Reimbursement including GED
  • Adoption Assistance (US only)
  • Exciting incentive and rewards programs

What you bring:
  • A desire for meeting and exceeding customer expectations on every visit.
  • Commitment to maintaining a clean, safe environment to ensure the store is always customer ready.
  • Ability to ensure proper preparation, presentation, and freshness of all foodservice products.
  • Ability to follow proper health code guidelines.
  • Excellence in cash handling and suggestive selling techniques.
  • A desire to be a brand ambassador and promote our loyalty rewards program.
  • The ability to multi-task, perform repeated bending, standing, and reaching, and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds.

7-Eleven, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
A copy of the complete job description, which includes the minimum requirements and essential functions of the position, is available on request.
Pay: $16.50 - $22.11 Hourly
If an hourly or salary range is included in this ad it represents the range 7-Eleven in good faith believes is the range of compensation for this role at the time of this posting. The Company may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in this state. This range may be modified in the future. No amount is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable under the terms and conditions of the applicable policies and plans. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, long-term incentive compensation, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring.
For a general description of all benefits 7-Eleven is offering in the US for the position, please visit this link.
For a general description of all benefits 7-Eleven is offering in Canada for the position, please visit this link.
7-Eleven accepts applications on an ongoing basis to this job and there is no fixed deadline to apply.

What 7-Eleven employees say

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About 7-Eleven

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As the world’s first convenience store, our top priority has always been to give customers the most convenient experience possible to consistently meet their needs. 7-Eleven aims to be a one-stop shop for consumers – a place people can always rely on to deliver what they want, when, where, and how they want it.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Dallas, TX, US

Year founded

1927

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