Waffle House is “America’s Place to Work” and promises a rewarding and fun work environment. Working under the “Yellow Sign” also comes with many rewards and benefits. It provides a unique career path with advancements based on an employee’s ability and performance that will have you eager to fill out a Waffle House application.
Before you grab your pen, take a moment to learn more about the company and the job. This will prepare you for filling out the application and get your ready to ace the interview. The more you know about the job and the company, the better able you are to put your best foot forward and impress a hiring manager.
About Waffle House
Knowing the names of Joe Roger, Sr. and Tom Forkner would be an asset in any interview at Waffle House, as well as knowing the history and what the business stands for. Any applicant with this knowledge will most likely be looked on favorably.
The company opened its doors on Labor Day in 1955. Founders Joe Rogers, Sr. and Tom Forkner started their company in Avondale Estates, Georgia. With the philosophy of “better before bigger,” the company’s focus has always been about the people, both associates and customers, while serving high-quality food at value prices.
A beloved icon in the South, there are now over 1,500 company- and franchise-owned Waffle House restaurants in 25 states. Known for the “Yellow Sign,” regular Waffle House customers are greeted by name and have come to expect quality food served fast and at great prices. The kitchen is in full view, and meals are served on real china in every restaurant. They even have a “Regulars’ Club,” which provides coupons and other fun items via email to those customers who make the Waffle House a weekly, or even daily, tradition.
Waffle House holds the title as the leading server of breakfast foods, such as waffles, omelets, bacon, and T-bone steaks. Their website even lists statistics for the number of individual breakfast items they have served since 1955 (877,388,027 is the number of waffles, for example), as well as how many cups of coffee, hamburgers, orders of hash browns, and other items that they serve per minute on any given day.
The site of the original Waffle House has been completely restored to replicate the restaurant as it was in 1955 and includes a museum that holds memorabilia from the first fifty years in operation.
The chain prides itself on shared ownership with its management team and believes in giving back to their employees for their dedication and hard work. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced and friendly environment that offers competitive pay and quality job training, you should fill out a Waffle House application today for an opportunity to work at one of America’s most well-loved restaurants.
Application Basics
Once you have your Waffle House application, you should first look through it to get an idea of what information you will need to include and the details of the job. To begin with, you need to be at least 16 years old to apply for hourly positions and 21 years old to apply for a management position. Also, be aware that the restaurant is open 24 hours a day for every single day of the year, even holidays. If you meet the age requirement and can handle working a range of hours, then you can continue.
The application is relatively standard. It asks for your personal details, such as name, address, and phone number, along with more information about your education and work history. You will also have to supply references and read through policies that you will agree to adhere to.
You will also have to list your skills and play up any experience you have that would make you an ideal fit for employment at Waffle House. Make sure that you highlight your friendly personality, ability to work under pressure, high customer service standards, and teamwork skills. You should include your resume with your application because it gives your application a professional edge that could help you get the job.
If you are applying for an hourly position, you need to apply at your local Waffle House location. Make sure to go in during a slow time and not during a rush. You should speak to the manager if possible. If you are applying for a manager position, you can apply online.
Hourly Positions Explained
Entry-level or hourly positions for Waffle House employees include servers, who work on the floor greeting customers and taking orders, grill operators and cooks, who work in the kitchen areas, and other positions, such as bussers, dishwashers, and hostesses. Hourly workers typically start with wages a little above minimum wage. If you have previous restaurant experience, you may start at a higher rate. Servers can expect to receive additional income through tips from customers. Grill operators can earn bonuses if they make sales goals. All workers can receive scheduled raises of at least $0.40 throughout their first year of working in the restaurant.
Management Career Opportunities
Managers are generally responsible for scheduling employee shifts, interviewing potential new employees, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. Waffle House promotes managers from within. Highly-skilled and experienced employees who receive recognition for hard work and dedication can be promoted to managerial positions from within the company. It is not uncommon for a waiter or waitress at Waffle House to have worked their way up to a high-managerial position. You may work your way up the managerial ladder reaching top positions, such as unit manager, district manager, and division manager.
To begin with, you may start as an assistant or store manager. Future managers attend training classes at Waffle House University in Norcross, Georgia. Training lasts nine to 12 weeks and provides hands-on experience with food safety, leadership, service, and production.
Salaries for manager trainees start around $28,000 a year and increase yearly or on promotion. Many district managers, who are responsible for overseeing the management operations of several different Waffle House restaurants, can earn over $70,000 a year.
Basic Tips for Applying at Waffle House
Waffle House is one of the most popular restaurant chains in the country, so do not take applying here lightly. Your Waffle House application form is the first impression you make on your future employer, and your prospects with the company may well depend on that initial impression.
To come across as professional as possible on paper, write clearly and neatly, and do not make any grammar or spelling mistakes. Be sure to note any previous restaurant or customer service experience prominently on your application. This can help get you selected for an interview upon review of your Waffle House application and may even get you a higher starting rate of pay if you are hired.
If you don’t have previous restaurant experience, you still have a good chance of getting hired with a complete and professional looking application. Many people applying for entry-level positions have little to no experience.
If you’re willing to work overnight hours, be sure to add that on your Waffle House job application as well. Being a 24-hour restaurant, demands for employees who are willing to work the night shifts are usually high.
If your Waffle House application is selected, they will call you to come in for an interview. Be sure to show enthusiasm for the job you have applied for and demonstrate a positive, customer-oriented attitude during the interview process. Knowing a bit of the history of the restaurant and being familiar with company philosophy can also be beneficial, letting your future employer know that you genuinely care about the restaurant and would love working there as a positive and contributing member of their staff.
If you’re applying for a managerial position, you want to list any previous experiences in management, your college education and degree, as well as any other relevant leadership or customer service skills. You may not be selected as a candidate without this information because most managerial positions require this unless you are being promoted from within.
Also, remember to fill out the Waffle House application online as they won’t accept managerial applications at physical restaurant locations. You will need to include a resume and cover letter with your application. The cover letter should be concise and informative, with an overview of why you would be an asset as a manager in one of the Waffle House restaurants, and include relevant information about your background that would give you the skills necessary for the managerial position.
Benefits at Waffle House
Waffle House associates receive many benefits, including health insurance for both individuals and their families with coverage starting 28 days after the first payroll deduction. New employees can enroll for health benefits on the first day of their employment. Employees can choose between a comprehensive or basic health plan. Dental benefits are also included. If you enroll in one of the health plans, life insurance benefits are provided, and employees can elect to increase the dollar amounts provided by the company for an additional fee. Employees also receive vision discounts at select optometrists.
One of the significant benefits of working at Waffle House is its generous stock options. Waffle House allows their hourly employees to purchase stock after one year of service, and salaried employees are eligible after ninety days. You can deduct up to 10 percent from each paycheck to buy stock once you become eligible.
Waffle House also gives out an annual cash bonus based on the number of years of service, which vests fully after three years of working at the company. You can either receive your bonus as a check or use it to purchase additional stock. You also earn two weeks of vacation every year, which becomes three weeks of vacation after ten years of service. If you decide to work during your scheduled vacation week, you will receive two checks for that week: your vacation pay and your regular weekly paycheck.
Time to Apply
Now that you have some background information, you are ready to apply to work at Waffle House. Remember to apply for an hourly position you need to go to the location nearest you and speak with a manager. If you want to apply to be a manager, then use the online Waffle House application by clicking here and use the Apply Now link at the top to choose the application for management positions.
Perhaps Waffle House isn’t the only option in your area and you want to consider other similar jobs. If so, check out these other food service job applications:
Wendy’s Online Job Application Form
Autozone Job Application Form