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Restaurant Associate Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

This includes, but is not limited to, hiring, managing and directing of associates to achieve ... Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal ...

Assistant Manager

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$30 - $33/hr

This includes, but is not limited to, hiring, managing and directing of associates to achieve ... Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal ...

Assistant Manager

Novato, CA · On-site

$30 - $33/hr

This includes, but is not limited to, hiring, managing and directing of associates to achieve ... Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal ...

... Associates and nearly $1.4 billion in annual revenue. Hospitality is our core and we strive to ... Overview The Role As a Restaurant and Operations Manager, you will lead food and beverage, bar, and ...

... the restaurant. The individual is also responsible for assisting the manager with training ... Train new associates as needed. * Ensure work areas are organized and prepared for service and ...

Retail Associate

Yountville, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $20/hr

... Associate . A take on the French boulangerie, Bouchon Bakery highlights artisanal breads ... Originally conceived to provide fresh bread to the restaurants, Bouchon Bakery has grown into a ...

Shift Leader

Windsor, CA · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

Our Panda Shift Leader associates are important leaders of our team and are responsible for bringing Panda's mission alive in our restaurants by supporting management in creating food with passion ...

Shift Leader

Rohnert Park, CA · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

Our Panda Shift Leader associates are important leaders of our team and are responsible for bringing Panda's mission alive in our restaurants by supporting management in creating food with passion ...

Our Panda Shift Leader associates are important leaders of our team and are responsible for bringing Panda's mission alive in our restaurants by supporting management in creating food with passion ...

Shift Leader

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

Our Panda Shift Leader associates are important leaders of our team and are responsible for bringing Panda's mission alive in our restaurants by supporting management in creating food with passion ...

Shift Leader

Napa, CA · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

Our Panda Shift Leader associates are important leaders of our team and are responsible for bringing Panda's mission alive in our restaurants by supporting management in creating food with passion ...

Showing results 41-60

Restaurant Associate information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$9

$16

$30

How much do restaurant associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant associate in Santa Rosa, CA is $16.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.65 and $17.07 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 Santa Rosa, CA? The most popular types of Restaurant jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Restaurant Associate jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Restaurant Associate jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Restaurant Associate jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Restaurant Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Restaurant Associate job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 52% Full Time, and 47% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,010 per year, or $16.8 per hour.

Assistant Manager (P1-1357840-3)

Panda Restaurant Group

Napa, CA • On-site

$30 - $33/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Panda Express rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 731 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 106 rated fast food restaurants


Job description

Are You Craving A Career With An Industry Leader?
Panda Express is searching for experienced leaders to join our store management team. Panda is 100% committed to the professional and personal development of our family of associates. That's why we offer paid Store Management Leadership Training, mentorship, and support from our Panda community that cares about your success.
What You'll Do As An Assistant Manager:
You are in charge of assisting the operation of a single store. This includes, but is not limited to, hiring, managing and directing of associates to achieve financial goals and ensuring the delivery of exceptional guest experiences. It's up to you to make your store a success. Don't worry! In order to prepare you for success, we will provide a 3 or more weeks of store leadership training program.
How we reward you:**
  • Free meals while working at Panda
  • Generous compensation package with bonus opportunities
  • Medical, Vision, Dental, Voluntary Short-Term Disability, Cancer Income Protection insurance for full-time associates
  • Pre-Tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • 401K with company match
  • Paid time off, paid holidays, bereavement/funeral leave and Leave Share Program
  • Discounts at theme parks, gym memberships, and much more
  • Opportunity to give back to your community
  • Hands-on paid training to prepare you for success
  • On-Going Career & Leadership Development
  • Opportunities for growth into management positions
  • On-going career and leadership development, including comprehensive training
  • Continuous education assistance and scholarships
  • Lucrative associate referral bonus
  • Income protection including Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance
  • Pre-Tax Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Please refer to https://www.pandacareers.com/files/PRG_HR_Recruiting_Benefits.pdf for details.

**Candidates must meet, and continue to meet if employed, eligibility requirements for each benefit to qualify.
Desired Skills & Experience:
  • High school diploma required
  • Must be flexible to move to a store within a radius of 50 miles from home
  • Must be available to work a flexible schedule that generally includes opening and closing shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays, driven by business needs.
  • Food Safety: Serve Safe certified

ADA Statement:
While performing duties, counter areas are often hot with steam from steam table and food vapors. Workspace is restricted and employees are generally expected to remain standing for long periods of time. Employees must prepare hot and cold foods, use Chinese cook knife and other kitchen equipment and work quickly without losing accuracy. Employees must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand up to four hours and reach across counter tops measured at 36 inches to serve customers. Kitchens are hot and noise levels are usually high; storage space is limited and shelving is high. Employees must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment, have effective verbal communication skills, ability to adapt to a dynamic environment with changing priorities, and the ability to manage conflicts/difficult situations.
Panda Strong since 1983:
Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it's impacting our team or the communities we work in, we're proud to be an organization that embraces family values.
You're wanted here:
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com .
Pay Range: $30 per hour - $33 per hour
*Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience. Panda makes no guarantee that any associate will earn any bonus and reserves the right to change or terminate any or all of its bonus programs at any time, with or without advance notice.

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About Panda Express

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panda Express is a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry, specializing in American Chinese cuisine. It was established in 1983 in Glendale, California by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and has grown to become the largest Asian segment restaurant chain in the United States, with in excess of 2,200 locations. Its headquarters are located in Rosemead, California. The eatery offers a variety of menu items, including their signature dish, Orange Chicken, along with other favorites like Kung Pao Chicken and Beef and Broccoli. Guided by their mission to "deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences," Panda Express is beloved by many for its convenience, consistently high quality, and innovative twists on traditional Chinese dishes.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Rosemead, CA, US