Front of House- Cedar Rapids

About the role

Our Front of House team is accountable for providing amazing experiences for our guests through what we call Relentless Hospitality. Front of House positions should embody our hospitality standards and create this kind of culture with a great group of people.

Big Grove Hospitality Standards

• Do what it takes to be successful in our culture, standards, and values; assist teammates by stepping out of primary duties when necessary to make them more effective.
• Be empowered to deliver Relentless Hospitality; treat every guest and team problem as an opportunity to make a LASTing connection (Listen, Acknowledge, Solve, Thank).
• Focus attention on each person within 20 feet; smile, make eye contact, and appropriately acknowledge each person within 10 feet; greet any person within 5 feet (5/10/20).
• Be the greatest host of the greatest house party; say hi, bye, and thank you until it’s weird (Host the greatest weirdest house party).
• Say what you can do, not what you can’t do (Don’t Stop, Get it, Get it).
• Take pride and responsibility for professional appearance, language, and behavior, and for keeping our place safe, clean, and beautiful (Look and be phenomenal).
• Take charitable actions to ensure guests or teammates remain valued, even when they may not be right (Be generous with your spirit).
• Prepare properly to get things done and deliver gold-medal work (Preparation + GSD = Gold).
• Treat problems as opportunities and waves to ride together to success; support teammates as needed (Waves crush you, unless we surf together).
• Create connections to give, take, and share directions (ABCD – Always Be Collecting, Creating, and Connecting the Dots).

Core Values

• Set the Tone
• Thirst for Improvement
• We Care
• Practice Candor
• Passion Driven

Essential Functions

Every Front of House position has slightly different duties. Top responsibilities by role:

Bartender

• Deliver Relentless Hospitality to guests seated at the bar from initial welcome to close-out.
• Prepare and serve a variety of beverages accurately and consistently according to recipes.
• Use correct glassware and ensure it is clean; pour beers properly.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of food and beverage menus.
• Understand different types of alcohol and serve them responsibly.
• Stay up to date on latest beer and menu releases.
• Keep the bar fully stocked and organized with alcohol, mixers, garnishes, and supplies.
• Maintain a clean and well-organized bar area.

Server/Events

• Deliver Relentless Hospitality to guests seated in your section from initial welcome to close-out.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of food and beverage menus; answer guest questions accurately, including about food sensitivities.
• Stay up to date on latest beer and menu releases.
• Assist the Event Lead in preparing the event space for smooth execution.
• Attend weekly event meetings to review upcoming events and assigned tasks.
• Work independently and collaboratively to achieve event goals.
• Assist team in running food and drinks, bussing tables, and cleaning from beginning to end of events.

Host

• Be the first point of contact for guests; greet warmly and enthusiastically.
• Address guest inquiries, handle complaints or special requests.
• Manage the taproom seating plan to balance service flow and optimize table turnover while considering guest comfort and preference.
• Keep the host stand and adjacent areas clean, tidy, and organized.
• Restock to-go beer and assist in the merchandise store as needed.
• Thank every guest as they depart.
• Answer phone calls, customer questions, and take call-ahead or reservation requests.
• Use Toast Tables software to manage waitlists and provide accurate wait times.

Competencies

• Customer-focused with strong problem-solving skills.
• Positive attitude and team-player approach.
• Detail-oriented and thorough; organized in fast-paced settings.
• High-performing with ability to view business holistically; communicate and collaborate across departments to solve problems and achieve goals.
• Contribute to and exemplify Big Grove values, vision, standards, and culture.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced, customer-focused, and team-oriented environment in dining room, bar, patio, or event settings.
• Exposure to loud noise levels, frequent guest interaction, and crowded spaces.
• Work near hot equipment, sharp objects, and cleaning chemicals.
• Shifts may include mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Standing and walking for extended periods; occasional exposure to outdoor elements on patios.
• Team-oriented atmosphere requiring strong communication and collaboration.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8–10 hours per shift).
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to lift, carry, and balance trays of food and beverages (up to 25–30 lbs regularly; occasionally up to 50 lbs).
• Manual dexterity to handle serving trays, glassware, plates, and utensils quickly and safely.
• Ability to navigate fast-paced, crowded environments while maintaining guest awareness.
• Frequent use of hands and arms for serving, cleaning, and resetting tables.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in noisy, busy environments.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

We are hiring both full-time and part-time positions. Hours and days may vary week to week. Schedules are posted two weeks in advance. The business is open seven days a week across various parts of the day; evening and weekend availability is required.

Preferred Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of related experience in a high-volume restaurant or taproom preferred.
• Prior serving or bartending experience required for server or bartender roles.
• Must be of legal age to serve and bartend per state law.
• Must have current IPACT certification if located in Iowa; other states require applicable alcohol training.