Barista

Zoomies is Chicago's premier indoor/outdoor dog park experience — a one-of-a-kind destination where dogs play and people unwind. Our facility features expansive off-leash dog parks, a full-service café, a craft beverage bar, daycare and boarding, professional grooming, and private runs, all under one roof. We're building a team that loves dogs as much as our members do. At Zoomies, every role matters — from the bark rangers keeping our parks safe to the baristas fueling the humans who love them. We’re building the future of pet services with a high-energy eatertainment vibe.

About the role

Our Barista is the heartbeat of the Zoomies café — the person responsible for fueling the humans who love their dogs as much as we do. You'll run the full Zoomies cafe operation — crafting espresso drinks and brewing pour-overs alongside a variety of convenient snacks and café favorites — while surrounded by happy dogs and the people who love them. Cafe hours run 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and we're looking for morning-focused individuals who are equally comfortable behind an espresso machine and a panini press, and who thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment. Candidates open to cross-training for bar shifts are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve espresso-based drinks, drip coffee, teas, and non-alcoholic beverages to Zoomies members and day-pass guests
• Coordinate the display of pre-packaged sandwiches and café snacks; follow established guidelines for inventory stock and presentation consistency
• Operate and maintain espresso machines, grinders, and related cafe equipment
• Take food and drink orders accurately; manage ticket flow and maintain speed and quality during high-traffic morning rushes
• Follow all Illinois food safety, allergen awareness, and sanitation protocols at all times
• Maintain a clean and organized cafe and kitchen prep station throughout your shift; perform full station clean-down at the end of the day
• Restock cafe supplies, food ingredients, pastries, and merchandise; communicate inventory needs to management
• Engage warmly with members and guests — you are a core part of the Zoomies experience
• Handle cash and card transactions accurately using our POS system

Requirements

• 1+ year of barista or cafe experience required; experience in high-volume grab-and-go retail or food merchandising strongly preferred
• Proficiency with espresso equipment and milk texturing
• Comfort in a dual-role environment — equally at home crafting a latte and efficiently managing grab-and-go food stock during a rush
• Genuinely friendly and personable — you enjoy people (and dogs)
• Dependable, punctual, and comfortable with early morning starts
• Able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 40 lbs
• Illinois Food Handler Certification required (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire)
• Experience with POS systems a plus
• Interest in cross-training as a bartender is a strong plus
• Dog-friendly personality is non-negotiable — you'll be working around dogs every single day

Schedule

• Cafe Hours: 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM daily
• Primary Shifts: 5:45 AM - 3:45 PM

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance (eligible full-time employees)
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Employee discounts on all Zoomies products and services