Restaurant Team Member

Pay

Earn $21.30 to $22 per hour plus tips, based on skills and qualifications.

Schedule

Part‑Time, non‑exempt position.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, along with group life insurance for eligible salaried and hourly employees.

About the role

A Potbelly Associate’s job is to make customers really happy. As the primary point of customer contact, the associate provides fast, friendly, and efficient service, delivers a quality and consistent product, and maintains a clean and inviting environment.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and reinforce Potbelly’s Behaviors and Values (Integrity, Food Loving, Teamwork, Accountability, Positive Energy, Coaching, Delivering Results, Building and Inspiring Teams, Creating Potbelly “Fans”).
• Discuss Potbelly history with customers.
• Prepare quality finished products (sandwiches, salads, soups, cookies, ice cream, etc.) efficiently per Potbelly recipe manual standards.
• Comply with health, safety, and food‑safety standards for food preparation, shop cleanliness, and overall safety.
• Maintain personal hygiene standards, including wearing a clean Potbelly uniform.
• Follow shop security procedures.
• Fulfill orders quickly and accurately.
• Handle raw and finished waste according to established procedures.
• Engage in friendly conversation with customers in line and act with a sense of urgency toward all customers.
• Restock food line, chips, and cooler.
• Work multiple stations (load, dress, shakes, cash, prep, front) as directed by the Manager or Shift Leader.
• Deliver catering orders as detailed in the Catering Driver and Delivery Agreement.
• Prepare meats and cheeses for different sandwiches; use the automatic slicer if 18 or older.
• Clean tables, counters, floors, bathrooms, kitchen, and utensils; take out trash.
• Operate cash register, handle cash, balance drawers, and follow all cash‑handling procedures.
• Effectively handle customer complaints and issues.
• Take delivery, catering, and pickup orders over the phone.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• For Illinois employees, must become food‑safety certified within 30 days of employment.
• Friendly, customer‑service oriented with strong verbal communication skills.
• Neat and clean personal hygiene; ability to handle a knife confidently.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with a sense of urgency.
• Team‑player mindset and ability to demonstrate leadership behaviors aligned with Potbelly values.
• English comprehension and communication (verbal and written) sufficient to perform job responsibilities.
• Physical ability to stand/walk a minimum of 3 hours, lift up to 10 lb frequently and up to 50 lb occasionally, and perform frequent reaching, bending, stooping, carrying, and fine manipulation.
• Ability to work in both warm and cool indoor environments (≈95 %) and occasional outdoor settings (≈5 %).
• Tolerance for higher noise levels from music, customer, and employee traffic.
• Tolerance for potential allergens: peanuts, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood, and shellfish.

Skills

• Strong verbal communication and customer‑service skills.
• Proficiency with cash register operation and cash handling.
• Knife handling and food preparation techniques.
• Ability to work multiple stations and multitask efficiently.
• Team collaboration and leadership aligned with company values.
• Understanding of food safety and sanitation practices.