How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Red Lobster?
Generally speaking, to get an entry-level job at Red Lobster as a host/hostess or server assistant/busser, you must be at least 16 years old. To get an entry-level job as a server or dishwasher/utility, you have to be at least 18 years old. Servers must be 18 years old because they have to be old enough to serve alcohol.
Teen Jobs at Red Lobster and Age Requirements
Host/Hostess (Hourly)
As a host/hostess at Red Lobster, your job is to create a lasting impression at the beginning and end of a guest’s dining experience by providing extraordinary customer service. You will greet guests when they come through the door, and you will use a seating chart to seat them appropriately. You will also be required to know the popular menu items and the current “Ultimate Event” that is taking place.
During busy rush times, you will monitor the waiting list, mange the floor chart to know what tables are available, and communicate with the people who are waiting. Other responsibilities include maintaining the waiting room and restrooms, as well as the menus. You may also need to answer phones and fill to-go orders.
You will be on your feet your entire shift, and you must also be able to lift up to 20 pounds. To work as a host/hostess at Red Lobster, you must be at least 16 years old.
Server Assistant/Busser (Hourly)
Being a server assistant/busser at Red Lobster is an opportunity to take your first step into a food service/hospitality career. The job responsibilities include resetting tables, pre-bussing, providing refills, and stocking all of the service stations. There will also be times when you must fulfill a guest request and deliver food to the table.
This job also requires you to be on your feet the entire shift, and you must be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
To work as a server assistant/busser at Red Lobster, you must be at least 16 years old.
Dishwasher/Utility (Hourly)
A dishwasher/utility worker at Red Lobster plays a vital role in the restaurant’s kitchen. Your job is to make sure the dishware is clean, as well as the workstations and restrooms. Your responsibilities will also include upholding the restaurant’s appearance standards by taking out the trash and maintaining the grounds.
Dishwasher/Utility workers also crosstrain and work in other kitchen positions, and you must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and use basic power tools.
To be a dishwasher/utility worker at Red Lobster, you have to be at least 18 years old.
Server (Hourly + Tips)
A server at Red Lobster is responsible for enhancing the guest experience by giving personalized service to each table. You need to know all of the menu items, and be able to make meal and pairing suggestions. Some of your daily tasks include taking orders, delivering hot food quickly, clearing tables, and taking care of the cash and credit card transactions.
Communication and multi-tasking skills are essential, and you need to be able to life up to 30 pounds. You will also have to stay on your feet for the entire shift, and be able to work under pressure.
You must be at least 18 years old to be a server because you will be required to serve alcohol.
Can a 15 Year Old Work at Red Lobster?
Because the minimum age to work at Red Lobster is 16, 15-year-old’s can’t work here. But we do have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-old’s that you can view instead.
Can a 16 Year Old Work at Red Lobster?
The minimum age to work at Red Lobster is 16, so 16-year-olds can apply for a host/hostess or server assistant/busser position. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-old’s that you can view for more options.
How Much Does Red Lobster Pay Part-Time Workers?
The hourly earnings for employees at Red Lobster vary because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.
Host/Hostess (Hourly)
As a host/hostess at Red Lobster, you will be making somewhere between $8 and $14 per hour. If you are coming in at entry-level without any prior experience, then you will most likely be in the lower end of the range.
The host/hostess also receives a percentage of tips based on food sales, and that can slightly raise your hourly pay rate.
The average hourly rate for a Red Lobster host/hostess with base pay plus tips is $11.
Server Assistant/Busser (Hourly)
The rate of pay for server assistant/bussers is between $8 to $14 an hour. This is an entry-level position, so if you do not have any prior work experience, chances are you will be on the lower end of the range.
The average hourly rate for a server assistant/busser is $9.50 an hour.
Dishwasher/Utility (Hourly)
The pay range for dishwasher/utility workers at Red Lobster is between $8 and $12 an hour. If you have some experience, you will have a starting wage at the higher end of the range, but if this is your first job, you will most likely be at the lower end.
The average hourly rate for a dishwasher/utility worker is $10 an hour.
Server (Hourly + Tips)
The base pay range for servers at Red Lobster is between $3 and $5 an hour. This is because you will rely on tips for your compensation. A server’s income will fluctuate based on the length of the shift, the timing of the shift, and the section you work in.
For example, you will make more on a Friday night in a busy section as opposed to a Tuesday lunch shift where you are only responsible for a section with small tables. The section you get is based on a rotation, and you can make anywhere between $30 to $100 in a shift (maybe more).
The average hourly rate for a server -- with tips-- is $15 to $20 an hour.
How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at Red Lobster?
Red Lobster is an entry-level friendly company, so you can apply for a position without any experience and get hired as a host/hostess, server assistant/busser, dishwasher/utility, or server. However, if you do have some work experience, it could get you a higher hourly pay rate and move you faster into supervisory and management positions.
What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at Red Lobster?
Red Lobster is a casual dining restaurant, so when you show up for your interview you will want to be dressed in business casual attire. Consider something like a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks and dress shoes. You do not want to show up too casual in a t-shirt and jeans.
Red Lobster Interview Questions
The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. But, there are some common questions that they do often ask. At a Red Lobster interview, you will most likely talk with at least one or two different managers, both front of the house and back of the house. Here are some questions that they have been known to ask during interviews.
How do you handle stressful situations?
Why are they asking?
Red Lobster is a popular chain restaurant that can have incredibly busy lunch and dinner rushes. There are times when working there can be extremely fast-paced and stressful. They are asking you this question to find out how well you would handle that stress, and make sure you are a good fit for the team.
What’s the ideal answer?
The interviewer wants to hear that you work well under pressure. Tell them how you have handled stressful situations in the past, and that you are able to handle a busy dinner rush. However, you never want to lie. If you can’t handle stressful situations well, working in a restaurant may not be the best fit. If you lie about your ability to handle the work environment, it could lead to big problems.
How would you handle a difficult customer?
Why are they asking?
While most of your customers will be happy and satisfied with their dining experience, you will more than likely come across an angry customer every now and then. When this happens, they are wondering how you will handle the situation, and if it fits with their company policy.
What’s the ideal answer?
You want to tell the interviewer that if you come across a difficult customer, you will ask them what you can do to make them happy and fix the problem. If it is something that you can’t take care of, then you will go get a manager and let them take care of it.
Can you pick out an item on the menu and sell it to them, like they are customers?
Why are they asking?
If a manager asks you this question, they are trying to get you to sell yourself and show off your personality and abilities. Part of your job as a restaurant team member is up-selling items on the menu and increasing ticket sales.
They are wanting to find out how well you can communicate, while being positive and professional.
What’s the ideal answer?
Know your strengths. If you get asked this question, pick something on the menu that you are familiar with. They want to hear that you have above average verbal communication skills, have a friendly and upbeat demeanor, know the menu, and can successfully sell items.
Benefits of Working at Red Lobster
Everyone who works at Red Lobster gets discounts on meals. However, the benefits they offer are only for full-time workers.
Benefits include:
- Paid time off and paid sick days
- Performance Bonuses
- Vacation
- 401K and Long-Term Savings Plans
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
