Front-of-House Lead

About the role

The FOH Lead is the on-shift captain for guest experience and service flow. You'll set the pace during rushes, coordinate between the kitchen, barista bar, smoothie station, and runners, and ensure every handoff is fast, accurate, and friendly—consistent with Hometown's standards for hospitality and quality.

Responsibilities

• Shift Leadership & Flow: Run pre-shift huddles; assign and rotate stations (cashier, runner, expo, barista support) based on volume and team strengths. Manage the expo during peak periods; monitor ticket times, prioritize pickups, and keep the line moving with calm, clear communication. Oversee online/app order staging and guest pickup so dine-in and digital orders move smoothly in parallel. Maintain line-of-sight to the dining room and pickup shelves; anticipate bottlenecks and re-deploy support before issues escalate.
• Guest Experience & Hospitality: Model warm, genuine hospitality; greet, engage, and guide guests through the menu (coffee, juices, smoothie bowls, toasts, salads, sandwiches). Ensure allergy notes, modifiers, and special requests are captured and executed correctly; double-check tickets before release. Own guest recovery with prompt, professional solutions when something isn't right.
• Team Coaching & Development: Onboard and cross-train FOH teammates (runner, cashier, expo) and reinforce standards with real-time feedback. Foster a supportive, learning-first environment that reflects Hometown's commitment to mentorship and growth.
• Quality, Cleanliness & Safety: Uphold sanitation and FOH cleanliness standards; keep guest areas, expo counter, and runner zones stocked and spotless throughout service. Promote food safety and allergen awareness; ensure utensils, labels, bags, and disposables are organized for speed.
• POS Accuracy & Cash Handling: Operate the POS with precision; orders, discounts, modifiers, payments, and end-of-shift cash outs per policy. Audit receipts and resolve order discrepancies quickly to protect speed and accuracy.
• Inventory & Merchandising (Front-of-House): Maintain par levels and presentation for cups, lids, napkins, utensils, grab-and-go items, and pastry case; escalate low stock proactively.

Qualifications

• Experience: 1+ year in a FOH lead/supervisor or key-holder role in café/fast-casual or similar high-volume setting (preferred).
• Technical: POS proficiency; comfortable with discounts, modifiers, and multi-channel order flow (in-store + app/online).
• Menu Knowledge: Enthusiasm for coffee, juice, and Hometown's daytime menu offerings; quick to learn ingredients and setup.
• Certifications: ServSafe Food Handler or Allergen certification a plus (or willingness to obtain).
• Soft Skills: Clear communicator under pressure; collaborative, organized, and calm with strong guest-recovery instincts.
• Physical: Able to stand/walk for long periods and move efficiently during rushes; lift and carry up to [30–40] lbs as needed.
• Availability: Morning/daytime shifts with weekend/holiday coverage within operating hours (7 a.m.–5 p.m.).

Pay

Base hourly wage: $12 - $15 (tip credit wage) plus $9 - $12 in tips per hour. Total hourly compensation typically ranges from $23 - $27 with tips.

Benefits

• Paid breaks
• Free meals on every shift
• Flexible scheduling
• Supportive environment with mentorship and growth opportunities
• No late nights!