If you’ve been thinking about submitting a Popeyes job application, you should know jobs offered at this chain are mainly intended for younger workers who are more active and energetic. It’s also a good place to work for individuals with limited work experience, middle-aged workers, or even seniors who need a side income and are ready for the physical challenges.
Popeyes careers are a solid choice for people who want to gain fast-food experience, and employees can expect flexible work schedules. Reviews of working at this fast-food restaurant show that the management style is very relaxed, which gives workers a chance to work in a pleasant atmosphere.
Below, you’ll see:
- What it’s like to work at Popeyes
- Variety of jobs offered and the requirements for each
- How you can apply
- Interview questions you may be asked and answer guide
- Minimum age to work there
- If Popeyes conducts a background check
- Is there a drug test?
- Do they hire felons?
- Benefits
What is it like Working at Popeyes?
Working at Popeyes is like no other fast-food job, according to some employees who have worked there. The atmosphere and environment make it feel like a family that works together to keep customers happy and satisfied with great-tasting chicken, seafood, and signature side dishes.
Pros
- You can gain a great amount of experience in the fast-food restaurant industry
- Learn how to work under pressure and manage customer complaints/requests
- Gain exposure to multiple areas of the business including inventory, cash control, prepping food, food quality control, etc.
- Great team of workmates making you feel at home
Cons
- Long working hours during the weekend
- The learning curve for some positions is steep
- No free lunch
- Very short breaks
- Usually, no health benefits offered for team members
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Jobs at Popeyes
There are a variety of job positions at Popeyes. They include:
- Team member
- Shift coordinator
- Assistant manager
- Restaurant manager
- Manager-in-training
These are the kind of job openings you are likely to find at this company. If you are retired or looking for something part-time, this can be a great job choice.
Popeyes Team Member
A Popeyes team member is the most common entry-level job and requires the ability to learn to have skills that are catered to the restaurant.
For example, someone who works in the drive-thru needs to be able to speak clearly over a microphone. Someone behind the counter has to be fast and accurate at prioritizing their orders. If they’re outside, they should be friendly with customers pulling up in the parking lot or sitting at tables eating.
Qualifications and skills include:
- You must be at least 16 years old to work at Popeyes
- The ability to communicate in English
- No criminal history or visible tattoos
- A high school diploma or GED is preferred
- Must be fast and accurate when taking orders after you’ve been trained
- A person is required to wear uniforms issued by the restaurant
- Customer service skills are required
- Excellent people skills and communication with others
- Be able to lift a 50-pound load
Over time, the job of a Popeyes team member can progress into management. This is not likely to happen for a while if it’s their first job, or if they are still in high school.
Popeyes Shift Coordinator
A Popeyes shift coordinator is the manager of the restaurant who organizes all company operations. This employee makes sure others know their roles and tasks. He or she also assigns shifts to each employee for scheduling purposes and takes care of any complaints or issues that may arise.
This is an entry-level management position with the possibility of moving up into multiple company positions within upper management.
Popeyes Shift Coordinator responsibilities include:
- Coordinating staff schedules
- Managing payroll and benefits
- Maintaining an organized office
- Handling customer service complaints
- Overseeing the kitchen and dining room activities
This is a relatively easy job for those individuals who have a strong work ethic and great attention to detail. Most locations require at least a high school diploma or G.E.D. to work in this highly responsible position.
The mental requirements of a Popeyes shift coordinator include critical thinking skills, organizational abilities, the capacity to multitask with ease, and strong problem-solving skills. Those that enjoy working with others and like to create an environment of respect for all employees will thrive in this position.
Qualification and Skills
- High school diploma usually required
- One year of related experience preferred
- Strong communication skills, especially when it comes to customer service
- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Able to think ‘outside the box’
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Work well with computer software programs
- The ability to work with others as a team
Physical Demands
- The ability to stand on feet all-day
- Ability to lift to 50 pounds
- Able to work in an organized manner under the pressure of time constraints
- Works well in a stressful environment
Popeyes Assistant Manager
The Popeyes assistant manager works with the general manager to ensure quality service and safety for customers, employees, and company property. He or she oversees shift managers who are responsible for particular shifts.
This career carries the responsibility of hiring and firing crew members, making sure the store stays within company standards and monitoring inventory. The assistant manager often serves as a role model for all employees to emulate.
Assistant Manager Education Requirements
An assistant manager at Popeyes should possess a high school diploma or GED. No college degree is required for the position, but relevant experience and education will be considered in hiring decisions.
Physical Demands
- One should comfortably carry a 50-pound load with ease
- The ability to see clearly with or without corrective lenses
- Must be able to lift, bend, turn and reach all products
The assistant manager should have excellent customer service skills to provide great experiences for Popeyes customers. Along the same lines, this employee must enjoy working in fast-paced environments with a diverse group of co-workers.
Popeyes Manager
A Popeyes manager is the go-to person when it comes to the company’s employees. These individuals are always available to talk or give advice on bettering oneself in life and at work.
When an employee asks for time off, permission is usually granted with open arms, as long as the employee is performing well and is dependable. This level of trust makes everyone feel like they are important and deserve to be at work; they feel as though they are a part of a bigger picture.
Popeyes managers create a good work environment by creating relationships and being available to their employees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Managers at Popeyes need to:
- Manage and motivate the crew to meet or exceed performance expectations and customer service levels while adhering to brand standards
- Create a positive work environment, lead by example with energy, enthusiasm, and positivity, and treat others the way they want to be treated
- Ensure that food safety guidelines are always adhered to throughout the restaurant
- Build cohesive teams, assign and train staff to carry out restaurant operations during scheduled shifts
- Execute the POPEYES® operational standards and ensure compliance with relevant food safety and security procedures
- Ensure activities in the restaurant are carried out in a safe efficient manner, consistent with good working practices, and comply with all relevant federal, state, or local food safety and sanitation standards
- Perform other duties as assigned by the restaurant manager or supervisor to ensure efficient operations of all restaurant activities
Qualification and Skills Requirements
The skills and qualifications required of managers include the following:
- At least 3 years of restaurant management experience or 2 years in a capacity with direct financial and operational responsibility
- High School Diploma / GED required
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Must pass a drug test/ physical exam, background check, credit check, and motor vehicle report
- Ability to work flexible hours that may include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays
- Management experience required in either quick service (i.e., fast food), casual dining, or fine dining restaurant concepts preferred
Physical Demands
- Ability to lift at least 50 pounds comfortably
- One should stand for at least 2 hours at a time and be able to sit for at least 4 hours in an 8-hour workday
- Must have excellent communication skills.
Popeyes Manager-in-Training
The Manager-in-Training is the leader of operations of the restaurant and is focused on maximizing the profitability of the business, increasing the effectiveness of the work unit, and ensuring an optimum customer experience.
The MIT is training to become a manager and is responsible for recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees. He or she plans employees’ work, assigns tasks, appraises performance, conducts interviews with potential team members, and notifies existing team members that they are at risk of separation.
The manager-in-training is also responsible for enforcing the Popeyes policies and procedures, ensuring that employees follow rules and regulations, and communicating with other areas within the company when necessary.
There is a multitude of job duties with this position which include but are not limited to:
- Assisting in setting work schedules
- Conducting performance reviews
- Reviewing operational methods and procedures
- Ensuring that the restaurant is running at peak condition
- Overseeing daily operations of the business
- Effectively resolving any customer complaints
Qualification and Skills
- A high school diploma or its equivalent
- Candidates should have previous restaurant experience
- Should be able to work under pressure, manage stress, and deal effectively with others while staying calm
- Have effective oral and written communication skills
- Good computer skills that include the use of Microsoft Office programs
- They should also possess knowledge of restaurant software systems, cash register operations, standard practices for maintaining food equipment, and safety/sanitation procedures
Physical Demands for This Position
- One should comfortably lift a 50-pound load comfortably
- Must be able to stay on their feet and walk, sit, stoop, crouch, kneel or have the ability to utilize proper body mechanics when reaching for long periods
- Have good hygiene and be well-groomed
This position requires extensive use of hands, including finger dexterity. The use of the whole body is also needed to carry out the vision behind the job.
The ability to twist at the waist is also required. This job will require bending and reaching throughout the day in a variety of postures.
How to Apply at Popeyes
If you’re interested in applying for a job at Popeyes, the first thing you should know is that almost every Popeyes restaurants are independently owned and operated. That means that each restaurant is responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training its employees.
Usually, potential candidates visit the establishment to fill out a Popeyes application in person. However, this is not always the case. This company also accepts applications online.
Before you complete a Popeyes application online or in person, be sure to take the time to read over all the available opportunities and requirements. This will ensure that you are fully aware of what job you’re applying for and whether you meet the requirements.
Even if you don’t see any employment opportunities in your area listed on the official website, it might be worth your time to check out all available opportunities by visiting popular job search websites.
To complete an application for your desired position, visit the official careers website. There, you will find a list of all available job opportunities, along with application forms for each position.
Popeyes Interview Questions
Knowing how to answer interview questions can give you a great deal of confidence during the interview process.
Here are a few examples of questions you may be asked and how you may be able to answer them and impress the interviewer:
- What’s the best way to deal with a customer complaint? Answer: The best way is to apologize for the inconvenience and try to fix the situation as soon as possible. If the issue cannot be resolved immediately, an attempt should be made to resolve it within 24-48 hours. An apology should never be defensive, but instead should simply acknowledge the situation.
- What would you do if you had an employee stealing from the store? Answer: Employees who are stealing from a store should be reported immediately to their manager or supervisor and criminal charges filed, if necessary. If the actions of the employee cannot be stopped, further disciplinary action should be taken, such as suspension or termination.
- How would you handle returning an item to a customer? Answer: When returning an item to a customer, it is important to apologize and offer some kind of compensation, such as a coupon or discount on their next order. A sincere apology should be repeated in any correspondence with the customer and the situation should never be escalated if at all possible.
- Explain an effective way to deal with difficult customers? Answer: The best way to deal with difficult customers is to remember that they are the reason you have a job in the first place. Treat them courteously and politely, even if they are being rude. Remember their order and keep an eye on their needs in case there is something you can do better for future orders.
- What is your greatest strength? Answer: My greatest strengths are my positive attitude and strong work ethic.
Minimum age to work at Popeyes
You must be 16 years or older to work at Popeyes. This is because there is a fair amount of danger working near the kitchen fryers and other mechanical equipment.
Check with the laws regarding your state and make sure if you are under 18 years of age, that you have a work permit if you are required to do so.
Does Popeyes do a background check?
Yes, Popeyes generally conducts both an employment background check and a criminal history background check on all potential employees. As part of the employment screening, they look at job applicants’ employment histories, education records, and any other information that could help them determine if someone is truly qualified for the position they’re applying for.
Furthermore, Popeyes will also do a criminal background check, which involves checking an applicant’s criminal history to determine if they have any convictions for crimes including theft, assault, or other violent crimes.
Does Popeyes drug test?
Yes, Popeyes conducts drug tests. Popeyes offers pre-employment drug tests to applicants at all levels.
This company has a strict anti-drug policy for job applicants.
To avoid drug use, the corporation offers pre-employment drug testing to all levels of potential employees including management, has wellness programs for current employees, and offers health fairs for community members.
Does Popeyes hire felons?
No, they generally don’t hire recent felons. They carry out a thorough background check to make sure all their employees are as safe as possible. If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you’ll likely need to wait 7 years before reapplying.
Most Popeyes are franchise-owned, and individual owners reserve the right to hire whomever they please. This means if you have a felony on your record, and you are rehabilitated, you still have a good chance to get hired. It’s all about presenting yourself in the most positive light possible and being honest.
You would be surprised at how many people are ready to give others a second chance.
Popeyes Employee Benefits
Popeyes provides some of the best benefits in their industry to all full-time employees, usually after they have worked in a full-time capacity for one full year.
Benefits include:
- Life insurance
- Medical/dental coverage
- 401(k)
- Short-term disability
- Paid time off (Vacation & Sick Days)
They also offer flexible hours, great work culture, and opportunities for career advancement.
Final Thoughts
Popeyes gets good reviews from present and past employees when it comes to work/life balance, the company culture, and management.
However, the reviews indicate people are not satisfied at all with the amount of money they earn while working there. This means Popeyes should probably look to offer better wages in the near future, just like other fast-food restaurants that can’t seem to find enough quality employees due to the low pay.
Aside from all that, this company looks like it could be a great entry-level opportunity for students, young adults, middle-aged workers looking to change their career paths, and seniors who would love to become part of another family and earn extra income.
If you’ve been thinking about submitting a Popeyes job application, you should know jobs offered at this chain are mainly intended for younger workers who are more active and energetic. It’s also a good place to work for individuals with limited work experience, middle-aged workers, or even seniors who need a side income and are ready for the physical challenges.
Popeyes careers are a solid choice for people who want to gain fast-food experience, and employees can expect flexible work schedules. Reviews of working at this fast-food restaurant show that the management style is very relaxed, which gives workers a chance to work in a pleasant atmosphere.
Featured image courtesy of Phillip Pessar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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