Barista

Empire JointStar (Empire) is a prominent retailer in the United States and operates as a key affiliate of Dallas Holdings International (Dallas), a global powerhouse in retail and hospitality. Dallas is a strategic partner of Pret A Manger (Pret), a renowned Food To Go and coffee shop franchise famous for its freshly made food and organic coffee offerings. With over 70 Pret A Manger locations under its ownership across the US and UK, Dallas is aggressively expanding its footprint through Empire, which currently manages more than 50 Pret A Manger shops in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, with exciting prospects for further growth in California. Empire is headquartered in the vibrant city of New York, a hub for commerce and culture.

Pret A Manger is recognized for its commitment to quality, freshness, and friendly service. The brand embodies an energetic, welcoming atmosphere typically associated with fast-paced urban environments where customers seek quick yet wholesome food and beverages. As a company, Pret focuses on supporting its employees with comprehensive training programs, a strong emphasis on teamwork, and opportunities for career advancement via The Pret Academy.

The Pret Barista role at Empire JointStar is a full-time position offering a competitive hourly wage of $18.50 plus tips and a mystery shopper bonus, reflecting the company's dedication to recognizing excellent performance and customer service. Additionally, there is a referral bonus of $100, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building a strong, talented team.

This role is ideal for individuals passionate about delivering outstanding coffee and customer experiences. As a Pret Barista, you are an essential part of the team responsible for maintaining Pret's high standards of drink quality and customer engagement—often referred to as creating the 'Pret Buzz.' Your primary focus will be to prepare and serve hot drinks up to the company's exacting standards, manage the drink counter efficiently, uphold cleanliness and maintenance of equipment, and support team training efforts.

Your duties will include coaching and training new team members and baristas-in-training to ensure everyone understands and meets the rigorous Pret drink standards. Collaboration with management to execute planned training sessions is also critical for maintaining consistent quality. Baristas are actively involved in briefings, meetings, and ongoing education that pertain to coffee preparation to stay updated with the latest standards and innovations.

Delivering engaging, enthusiastic customer service is fundamental to this role. You will educate customers and colleagues alike about Pret’s coffee story and menu while serving drinks swiftly within a 60-second target where possible. A flair for latte art is encouraged as it adds an element of delight and personal touch to the customer experience.

Maintaining the quality and knowledge of all barista-prepared drinks is another vital responsibility. You will be expected to model this knowledge and continuously improve your expertise in Pret’s coffee culture. The operational side of the role demands meticulous care of all equipment and beverage stations, performing daily and weekly checks, calibration, and cleanliness tasks consistently.

The Pret Barista also plays a key part in shop profitability by controlling ingredient waste and addressing stock issues under managerial guidance. Sales growth is supported by clear weekly targets, understanding sales metrics against total sales, and leveraging promotional samples to drive customer appreciation and loyalty via the Joy of Pret initiative.

Empire and Pret together foster an inclusive, equal opportunity workplace that values diversity and provides support for all employees. They emphasize a positive, fast-paced work environment, backed by robust benefits and career development pathways.