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Restaurant Associate Jobs in Ridgewood, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Restaurant Associates

Event Manager

New York, NY · On-site

$85K - $90K/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

MGR, CATERING

New York, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/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!

7-ELEVEN

Restaurant Crew

Carlstadt, NJ · On-site

$15.50 - $20.77/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

Carlstadt, NJ · On-site

$15.50 - $20.77/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 ...

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All JobsRestaurant Associate JobsRestaurant Associate Jobs in Ridgewood, NJ

Restaurant Associate information

See Ridgewood, NJ salary details

$8

$15

$28

How much do restaurant associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant associate in Ridgewood, NJ is $15.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.64 and $15.82 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 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 Ridgewood, NJ? The most popular types of Restaurant jobs in Ridgewood, NJ are:
What are popular job titles related to Restaurant Associate jobs in Ridgewood, NJ? For Restaurant Associate jobs in Ridgewood, NJ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Restaurant Associate jobs in Ridgewood, NJ look for? The top searched job categories for Restaurant Associate jobs in Ridgewood, NJ are:
What cities near Ridgewood, NJ are hiring for Restaurant Associate jobs? Cities near Ridgewood, NJ with the most Restaurant Associate job openings:
Restaurant Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Associate job openings in Ridgewood, NJ as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 48% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,399 per year, or $15.6 per hour.
Event Manager

Event Manager

Restaurant Associates

New York, NY • On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 hours ago

Restaurant Associates rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 225 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 64 rated caterers

Job description

Salary: $85,000/yr. - $90,000/ yr.

Other Forms of Compensation: 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! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards- Best Places to Work, This is R/A !

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and creative Event Coordinator to plan, manage, and execute corporate events. The ideal candidate has prior event planning experience, strong organizational skills, and the ability to balance multiple projects while meeting deadlines. This role requires collaboration with internal teams and external vendors to ensure seamless event execution. This role will be responsible for overseeing logistics, managing budgets, and delivering exceptional experiences to our internal teams.

You will take on the following responsibilities:

  • Coordinate all aspects of pre-event planning, onsite logistics and post-event wrap up.
  • Plans menus, layout, decor, and booking external vendors (when appropriate) for events.
  • Track the event budget from initial stages, and provide an after-event summary of cost.
  • Collaborate with key partners to ensure delivery of all event requirements (AV, Marketing, Facilities, Procurement).
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
  • Provide recommendations based on experience and trends in the industry to enhance each event.
  • Attend weekly WPS cross-team organizational meetings.

You should possess the following qualifications:

  • BA or BS degree required.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in managing events in a high-volume environment.
  • Highly organized, excellent time-management, adept at managing different priorities.
  • Demonstrated flexibility, reliability, and ability to work well under pressure.
  • Excellent attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
  • Collaborative team player.
  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite and various event software necessary for the execution of the responsibilities listed above.

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

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/

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:  1515204

Restaurant Associates 

NANCY M TEIXEIRA 

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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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