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Restaurant Associate Jobs in Hackensack, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Restaurant Associates

Cafe Manager

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

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 ...

Restaurant Associates

Regional Director- NYC

New York, NY · On-site

$140K - $150K/yr

Benefits 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!

Restaurant Associates

Beverage Manager

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

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 ...

Concord Hospitality

Restaurant Supervisor

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$26/hr

Trains all associates in the kitchen how to perform their job duties to the best of their abilities, including proper seasoning, food production techniques, plate presentation, display work, cleaning ...

Restaurant Associates

Catering Sales Manager

New York, NY · On-site

$78K - $90K/yr

Job Summary As the Catering Sales Manager for Restaurant Associates, you will lead the sales, planning, and execution of internal and external catering events, delivering exceptional hospitality and ...

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Restaurant Associate information

See Hackensack, NJ salary details

$9

$16

$30

How much do restaurant associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant associate in Hackensack, NJ is $16.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.65 and $17.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 Hackensack, NJ? The most popular types of Restaurant jobs in Hackensack, NJ are:
What job categories do people searching Restaurant Associate jobs in Hackensack, NJ look for? The top searched job categories for Restaurant Associate jobs in Hackensack, NJ are:
What cities near Hackensack, NJ are hiring for Restaurant Associate jobs? Cities near Hackensack, NJ with the most Restaurant Associate job openings:
Restaurant Associate jobs near you

Cafe Manager

Restaurant Associates

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Restaurant Associates rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 236 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 68 rated caterers

Job description

Position Title: Cafe Manager 

Salary: $80,000 - $85,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

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 Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards- Best Places to Work, This is R/A !

Job Summary
As a Cafe Manager at the Employee Eatery at The Met Museum, you’ll play a key role in shaping a welcoming and high-quality dining experience for employees and guests. In this role, you’ll guide the front-of-house team, support daily operations, and help create a culture centered on hospitality, collaboration, and service excellence.
 
You’ll partner closely with culinary and operations teams to deliver consistent, thoughtful service while maintaining an organized, well-run dining environment. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys developing people, working in a dynamic setting, and contributing to a strong service culture.
 
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead, coach, and support front-of-house team members in delivering attentive, high-quality service
  • Participate in hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training to build a confident and capable team
  • Create and manage schedules, payroll processes, and daily administrative tasks to support efficient operations
  • Monitor food and beverage costs by supporting inventory management, par levels, and resource planning
  • Facilitate pre-shift meetings to align the team on daily priorities, service standards, and guest expectations
  • Collaborate with culinary, operations, and support teams to ensure a seamless guest experience
  • Manage reservations, seating plans, and station assignments to support service flow
  • Develop and oversee side work assignments, ensuring completion and teamwork across roles
  • Foster a clean, organized, and welcoming dining environment
  • Respond to guest feedback with professionalism, empathy, and a focus on resolution
  • Support planning and execution of special events or promotional initiatives when needed

What We’re Looking For

  • Experience in hospitality, restaurant, or foodservice environments, with exposure to front-of-house operations
  • Previous leadership or team coordination experience (formal or informal)
  • Ability to coach, support, and develop team members in a positive and inclusive way
  • Comfortable managing schedules, basic financial processes, and operational details
  • Familiarity with POS systems, reservations platforms, or similar tools is helpful
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Ability to stay organized and focused in a fast-paced environment
  • Interest in fine dining or elevated service standards
  • Experience supporting events, promotions, or guest programming
  • Comfort working with basic business tools such as Excel, Word, and Outlook
  • Commitment to delivering a high level of service and maintaining professional standards

Apply to Restaurant Associates today!

Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

  

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf

Req ID:  1548861

Restaurant Associates 

Michael Abbey 

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What Restaurant Associates employees say

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About Restaurant Associates

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

A chef-driven company with a mission to deliver hospitality excellence. Since the very beginning, we’ve delivered culinary quality and innovation coupled with unparalleled hospitality to some of the most recognizable companies, institutions, and brands in the world. At R/A, food is inspiration. Our reputation is built on our ability to continuously evolve and innovate. Our work goes beyond the excellence of our food and hospitality. It extends to industry-best wellness and sustainability practices and a commitment to integrating human-centered technology.

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

1953

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