How To Highlight Perks in Restaurant Job Postings

This guide explores effective strategies for showcasing perks in restaurant job postings, helping you stand out from the competition and hire top candidates for your business.

Why Highlighting Perks in Restaurant Job Postings Matters

Job seekers in the restaurant industry often have multiple options. With today’s competitive labor market, especially post-pandemic, potential employees are more likely to choose employers who offer more than just the basics. 

Highlighting perks in your restaurant job postings demonstrates that your restaurant values its team members, fostering a positive employer brand that attracts motivated and skilled candidates.

Perks also set the tone for the workplace culture you’re cultivating. Whether it’s flexible schedules, professional development opportunities or unique benefits like free meals and team outings, these extras communicate your restaurant’s commitment to its employees.

Understanding Your Target Audience

Before diving into how to highlight perks in restaurant job postings, it’s crucial to understand the type of employees you’re trying to attract. For example:

• Entry-level positions: Entry-level roles are often filled by Gen Z workers. Research shows this group prioritizes mental health and well-being support, flexible hours and extended leave options. Be sure to include benefits of this nature in your job posting.
• Mid-level positions: Employees like Line Cooks and Bartenders might prioritize skills training, career advancement opportunities and a supportive work environment. Highlighting leadership training programs or mentorship opportunities can appeal to those seeking growth within your organization.
• Management positions: Restaurant Managers and Chefs often look for competitive salaries, health benefits and bonuses tied to performance.  Including details about profit-sharing opportunities or long-term incentives can further appeal to candidates seeking stability and growth.

Types of Perks To Highlight in Your Restaurant Job Posting

Job seekers value both traditional benefits and unique offerings that reflect a supportive and rewarding work environment. Below are categories of perks to consider highlighting in your restaurant job posting:

Financial perks

Financial perks can set your restaurant apart by showing candidates you value their hard work and offer competitive rewards. Offering clear and attractive financial incentives demonstrates that you are invested in their success and stability.

• Competitive pay: Clearly state that your restaurant offers above-average wages. Specify whether there are opportunities for raises or bonuses.
• Tips and shared gratuity: If applicable, mention how tips are shared or distributed.
• Bonuses: Highlight any signing bonuses, performance-based bonuses or annual incentives.
• Profit-sharing and stock options: Mention if employees can benefit from profit-sharing programs or employee stock options.
• Retirement savings plans: If you provide a 401(k) plan or similar, include it in your job posting.

Schedule and flexibility

Flexibility in scheduling is a top priority for many restaurant workers and can make your job posting more appealing. Highlighting flexible scheduling options shows that you understand the demands of your employees’ personal lives and are willing to accommodate them.

• Flexible hours: Mention if employees can trade shifts or have input into their schedules.
• Part-time or full-time options: Specify if these options are available and what benefits accompany each.
• Guaranteed time off: Promote any policies that ensure work-life balance, such as guaranteed weekends off, paid time off or vacation time.
• Work-life balance: Emphasize opportunities for employees to manage their responsibilities and enjoy personal time.

Health and wellness benefits

Highlighting health and wellness benefits demonstrates your commitment to your employees’ overall well-being. These perks signal to candidates that you care about their physical and mental health, ensuring they can thrive both on and off the job.

• Health insurance: Highlight if you offer health, dental or vision insurance.
• Paid sick leave: Mention any policies for paid sick days or mental health days.
• Gym memberships or wellness stipends: Include perks like discounted gym memberships or wellness reimbursements.
• Mental health support: Share initiatives such as employee assistance programs (EAPs) or access to counseling services.

Food and beverage perks

Food and beverage perks can be a significant draw for restaurant workers. Offering these benefits not only saves employees money but also helps them feel more connected to the food and culture of your establishment.

• Free meals: Specify if employees get free meals during shifts or discounts on menu items.
• Family meal discounts: Highlight any discounts for employees’ family members.
• Exposure to unique ingredients: Mention opportunities to work with high-quality or unique ingredients, especially for culinary staff.

Professional development opportunities

Professional development perks show that your restaurant is invested in the long-term growth of its employees. These opportunities attract ambitious candidates looking to advance their careers and develop new skills.

• Training programs: Emphasize onboarding programs, customer service training or culinary techniques.
• Career advancement: Highlight clear career paths within your restaurant, such as opportunities to move into management roles.
• Mentorship opportunities: Mention if team members have access to guidance from seasoned professionals.
• Industry conferences and workshops: Note if you support attendance at events or competitions.
• Cross-training: Include opportunities for employees to learn new skills by working in different roles.

Team and culture

Creating a strong team culture fosters a sense of belonging and community among employees. Emphasizing your restaurant’s team-building efforts and supportive environment helps attract candidates who value collaboration and camaraderie.

• Team-building activities: Mention regular team outings, holiday parties or other bonding events.
• Recognition programs: Highlight any “Employee of the Month” initiatives or reward systems.
• Supportive environment: Emphasize your commitment to maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Unique workplace benefits

Unique workplace benefits set your restaurant apart from competitors and make your job posting memorable. These distinctive perks showcase your creativity and commitment to going the extra mile for employees.

• Transportation stipends: Highlight commuting benefits such as free parking or transit reimbursements.
• Flexible uniform policies: Mention if employees can personalize their uniforms or receive a stipend for them.
• Childcare assistance: Include support for employees managing family responsibilities.
• Pet insurance: If you offer unconventional benefits like pet insurance, make sure to mention it.
• Workplace perks: Highlight features like a music-friendly kitchen, a family-like team dynamic or a scenic location.

Strategies for Highlighting Perks in Restaurant Job Postings

Crafting job postings that effectively highlight perks ensures they resonate with candidates and make your restaurant stand out as an employer of choice. Here are key strategies:

Use engaging language

Engaging language helps your job posting connect with candidates on a personal level. Instead of presenting perks as mere bullet points, frame them in a way that excites and entices job seekers. 

For example:

• Instead of: “We offer free meals.”
• Write: “Enjoy a delicious free meal every shift — on us!” This approach makes perks feel more tangible and desirable.

Be specific

Details matter when showcasing perks. Avoid vague phrases like “competitive pay” or “great benefits.” Instead, provide specifics to help candidates understand the exact value you’re offering. 

Example 1:

“We offer $2 above the industry average for all roles.”

Example 2:

“Earn tips shared evenly among team members.” Specifics make your perks more compelling and build trust with potential employees.

Prioritize the most attractive perks

Lead with the perks that will catch your ideal candidates’ attention the most. For instance, if you’re hiring Line Cooks, emphasize opportunities to work with unique ingredients or receive mentorship from seasoned Chefs. Tailoring the order of perks to the role ensures your posting appeals directly to the candidate’s priorities.

Use bulleted lists

Job seekers often skim postings to quickly identify key information. Formatting perks as bulleted lists makes them easier to read and highlights their importance.

For example:

• Free meals every shift
• Paid sick leave and mental health support
• Flexible scheduling that fits your life

Promoting Perks Beyond the Job Posting

Your job posting is just one piece of the puzzle. Promoting perks across various platforms ensures a broader reach and reinforces your employer brand.

Highlight perks on your website

Your careers page should serve as a central hub for showcasing perks. Include detailed descriptions and testimonials from employees who benefit from them.

For example:

“I love the free meals and flexible hours — they make balancing work and school so much easier!” – Current Server 

Real-life testimonials make your perks more relatable and credible.

Use social media

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn are excellent for showcasing perks in action. Share behind-the-scenes photos and videos of team outings, employee recognition events or staff enjoying free meals. This visual content helps potential candidates imagine themselves as part of your team.

Incorporate visuals

Enhance your job postings with visuals that illustrate your perks.

For instance:

• A photo of your team celebrating at a holiday party
• A video of a Chef mentoring a Line Cook 

Visual content is more engaging than text alone and leaves a lasting impression.

Encourage word-of-mouth

Your current employees can be powerful ambassadors for your restaurant. Encourage them to share their positive experiences — both in person and on social media. 

For example:

“Tag us in a post about your favorite team outing!” This spreads the word about your perks and strengthens your employer brand.

By crafting engaging job postings and promoting perks across multiple channels, you can attract top talent and position your restaurant as a great place to work. 

Highlighting Perks for Job Ads

Highlighting perks in your restaurant job postings is key to standing out in today’s competitive labor market. 

Tailor benefits to your target audience, focusing on flexible hours and inclusive policies for entry-level roles, as well as competitive pay and growth opportunities for management positions.

Use specific, engaging language to make perks more appealing, and promote them across multiple channels, including your website and social media. 

By showcasing your commitment to employee well-being and creating a positive workplace culture, you’ll attract top talent and build a loyal and motivated team.