Hourly Shift Leaders

Dave's Hot Chicken is a renowned fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken. Founded by a group of close friends—Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy and Gary Rubenyan—Dave's Hot Chicken started as a small stand in an East Hollywood parking lot with just $900 and a simple menu centered around their signature hot chicken. The chicken is carefully sourced and prepared to ensure each piece is juicy and tender, coated with a special blend of spices developed by Dave himself, ranging from mild to extremely spicy "The Reaper" variety. The brand quickly gained popularity through social media buzz, particularly Instagram, leading to extensive lines and media coverage. This passion-driven venture grew into a well-established restaurant known for its unique flavors and vibrant atmosphere featuring local street art decor.

Today, Dave's Hot Chicken operates multiple locations and continues to build its loyal fan base across the United States and Canada. The restaurant prides itself on quality ingredients, excellent customer service, and a fun, fast-paced dining experience. The company culture emphasizes teamwork, dedication, and a guest-centered approach to hospitality.

The Shift Leader role at Dave's Hot Chicken is a vital leadership position responsible for overseeing all restaurant activities during their shift. As the direct point of accountability when on duty, the Shift Leader works closely with the Restaurant Management Team to ensure operational excellence and that all business goals and standards are met consistently. This role requires a highly motivated individual who can supervise team members, coordinate tasks, enforce company and safety policies, and maintain a positive dining environment.

Shift Leaders are expected to lead by example, serving as role models by demonstrating strong performance, outstanding communication, and exceptional organizational skills. They manage employee schedules, monitor attendance and punctuality, delegate responsibilities according to skills, and provide coaching and training to new and existing team members. Strong problem-solving abilities are essential for handling customer concerns professionally and calmly, resolving issues in alignment with restaurant policies.

This role involves hands-on involvement with daily operational duties such as conducting quality and safety checks, ensuring cleanliness and sanitation, operating kitchen equipment, balancing cash drawers, and completing necessary administrative tasks. Shift Leaders are integral to sustaining high productivity levels and fostering team morale. They maintain open communication lines, report performance metrics to management, and support a collaborative and trustworthy work atmosphere.

Candidates should have a positive attitude, flexibility to work varied shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays, and be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Physical stamina is required as the role involves standing for long periods, lifting weights up to 75 pounds, and working around kitchen heat. Fluency in English and a commitment to guest satisfaction are crucial.

Working at Dave's Hot Chicken offers the opportunity to be part of a vibrant, growing brand known for quality food and dynamic culture. The restaurant provides competitive wages aligned with NJ tipped minimum wage and NJ minimum wage standards. Join Dave's Hot Chicken as a Shift Leader if you are passionate about leadership, teamwork, and delivering an exceptional dining experience in a fast-casual setting.