The Complete Guide to Chick-fil-A Back of House Jobs in 2024
As one of America‘s largest and most beloved fast food chains, Chick-fil-A needs an army of highly-capable back of house team members to keep operations running smoothly 365 days a year. Though often unseen by the public, these behind-the-scenes employees play an indispensable role in enabling Chick-fil-A to consistently deliver exceptional service and quality.
A Look at Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Back of house duties vary significantly across different positions:
Food Prep
Food prep team members chop vegetables, cook eggs, assemble salads, and prepare other cold items on the menu. According to Maria S., a current Chick-fil-A food prep worker in Florida, "My responsibilities include getting all ingredients prepped before lunch and dinner rushes. This includes washing and chopping lettuce, tomatoes, onions, etc., boiling eggs, and mixing dressings." She adds, "The job requires being comfortable using kitchen tools like knives and mandolines safely and working quickly."
Grill Operator
Responsible for manning the clamshell grill, grill operators spend shifts seasoning chicken breasts, monitoring temperature gauges, assembling sandwiches, and keeping the grill fully stocked with raw chicken. "It gets extremely hot working over the grill, so you need to be able to handle the heat," notes Andrew T., a grill operator in Georgia. "Lifting the heavy boxes of raw chicken can also be physically demanding."
Fryer
Fryer crew members coat chicken pieces, fries, and other menu items in breading before dropping in the deep fryers. They also filter oil, take temperature readings, drop cooked items into holding bins, and keep fry stations neat. "You have to be comfortable working around dangerous equipment and hot oil," explains fryer specialist Joan K. "The job requires being efficient at multitasking during huge rush periods."
Dishwasher
Industrial dishwashers handle the vital task of keeping the restaurant supplied with clean plates, bowls, utensils, and equipment. "It‘s nonstop scrubbing, racking, loading and unloading the machine during busy shifts," says Tyrone W., a Chick-fil-A dishwasher in Tennessee. "You‘ll get wet and dirty, so you have to be fine with that."
Educational Requirements and Pay
While no formal education is mandatory, many locations prefer candidates with high school diplomas or equivalents. Exceptional teamwork, communication skills, stamina, and mental toughness are a must. Chick-fil-A is also adamant about only hiring employees with integrity, positive attitudes, and willingness to learn.
In return, they offer above-average industry pay rates. Data from Glassdoor shows average hourly wages of $14 for food prep workers, $15 for grillers and fryer operators, and $13 for dishwashers. Higher positions like Kitchen Manager ($19/hour) and Director of Kitchen Operations ($55K average salary) reward standout back of house team members with substantial pay increases.
Benefits like free employee meals, scholarships, Sundays off, and flex scheduling further enhance the impressive compensation packages.
Advancement Prospects
In addition to best-in-class wages, Chick-fil-A offers clear paths for back of house personnel to move into managerial roles or corporate careers. Many franchise owners and corporate executives began their journeys wiping down tables or breading chicken in restaurant kitchens.
They continue investing in talent development through promotions to Kitchen Manager, Director of Kitchen Operations, and Director of Restaurant Operations. Especially promising employees may even get sponsored to attend Chick-fil-A‘s Headquarters Experience training program, paving the way for a lucrative corporate position.
Hardworking team members can also take advantage of Chick-fil-A‘s tuition assistance and scholarships for earning a college degree.
Final Takeaway
Despite the challenging, grind-it-out nature of back of house work, motivated employees can transform Chick-fil-A jobs into fruitful careers with competitive salaries. Beyond fair pay and advancement potential, Chick-fil-A maintains an unrivaled culture where team members feel valued, respected, and appreciated.
