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Restaurant Associate Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Saks

Restaurant Manager- L'Avenue

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70K - $88K/yr

Associate Development & Culture * Talent Leadership: Oversees restaurant Associates in their daily responsibilities, driving a hospitality-first mindset on the floor. * Coaching & Counseling: Acts as ...

New

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 ...

Saks Fifth Avenue

Restaurant Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Partners with Human Resources on matters relevant to Associates (e.g., training, payroll, and benefits)*** **Improve restaurant management team to maintain adequate Associate training on all tasks*

Saks

Restaurant Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70K - $88K/yr

Partners with Human Resources on matters relevant to Associates (e.g., training, payroll, and benefits) * Improve restaurant management team to maintain adequate Associate training on all tasks

Jack In The Box

Restaurant Manager

El Cerrito, CA · On-site

This job posting is for a position in a restaurant owned and operated by an independent franchisee ... Associates Degree required; Bachelor's in Business or related field * 3+ years of experience in ...

Gul Food Management

Restaurant Manager

El Cerrito, CA · On-site

This job posting is for a position in a restaurant owned and operated by an independent franchisee ... Associates Degree required; Bachelor's in Business or related field * 3+ years of experience in ...

Saks

Restaurant Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$24.76 - $30.94/hr

... Associates, and store family, maintaining the high quality in service, food, beverage, and other items pertinent to the overall dining experience • Creates efficient and flexible restaurant ...

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All JobsRestaurant Associate JobsRestaurant Associate Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Restaurant Associate information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$10

$18

$34

How much do restaurant associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant associate in Berkeley, CA is $18.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.29 and $19.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a restaurant associate?

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 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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Restaurant jobs in Berkeley, CA?

The most popular types of Restaurant jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Restaurant Associate jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Restaurant Associate jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Restaurant Associate jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Restaurant Associate job openings:

Restaurant Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Associate job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,209 per year, or $18.9 per hour.

Restaurant Manager- L'Avenue

Saks

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$70K - $88K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Salary Range $70,915 - $88,644*

Job Description:

The Restaurant Manager champions the operational and cultural excellence of ELG Restaurants. In this role, you will lead by example, maximizing the unique talents of your team, upholding luxury hospitality standards, and executing key culinary and business initiatives. You are responsible for driving daily profitability, fostering a high-performance culture, and ensuring every guest enjoys an exceptional dining experience.

Key Responsibilities

Restaurant Strategy & Administration

  • Standards & Compliance: Oversees the flawless execution of quality, ambiance, and cleanliness across all dining rooms and kitchens, ensuring strict adherence to Health and Safety standards.
  • Performance Metrics: Drives the restaurant team to consistently achieve and maintain a 90% score or better on seasonal secret shop reports and health sanitation evaluations.
  • Financial Management: Reviews preliminary profit and loss (P&L) reports, manages inventory counts, processes batch invoices, and assists with month-end forecasting to protect the bottom line.
  • Strategic Planning: Maintains accurate documentation to project, finalize, and achieve seasonal profit plans.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborates with the General Restaurant Manager and Executive Chef to address daily operational needs and support specialized promotional events.

Associate Development & Culture

  • Talent Leadership: Oversees restaurant Associates in their daily responsibilities, driving a hospitality-first mindset on the floor.
  • Coaching & Counseling: Acts as the primary mentor for direct reports, providing consistent feedback, career development, and conflict resolution.
  • Performance Management: Enforces Saks Global policies and procedures uniformly, delivering disciplinary action and performance improvement plans when necessary.
  • HR Liaison: Works closely with People Business Partners (PBPs) on strategic talent initiatives, including onboarding, training, payroll accuracy, and benefits administration.

Exemplar Luxury Group is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with Exemplar Luxury Group and would like to request special assistance or an accommodation, please contact candidatesupport@saks.com.


Compensation for this role varies by geographic location. The listed range reflects multiple markets, including higher-cost areas. Actual starting pay will be determined based on work location, experience, and other job-related factors.


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