20 Cracker Barrel Interview Questions and Answers

Cracker Barrel is a popular restaurant chain in the United States, known for its Southern-style cooking. If you’re applying for a job at Cracker Barrel, you can expect to be asked some company-specific interview questions.

In this guide, we’ll give you some examples of Cracker Barrel interview questions and answers. By preparing for these questions, you’ll be able to show the interviewer that you’re the right candidate for the job.

Cracker Barrel Interview Process

The interview process at Cracker Barrel is generally quick and easy. You will likely be interviewed by one or more managers, and the interviews are usually fairly casual. The interviewer(s) will ask you about your work experience, why you want to work at Cracker Barrel, how many hours you are looking to work, and other general questions. In some cases, you may be asked to do a second interview. If you are offered the job, you will typically be given a job offer on the spot.

1. Are you willing to work with a flexible schedule?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re willing to work a variety of shifts and hours. This can be especially important for restaurant positions, as they often need employees who are available during peak times and off-hours. Your answer should show that you’re flexible and willing to do what’s needed to get the job done.

Example: “I understand that working in a restaurant means having a flexible schedule. I’m happy to work any shift or hours that are required. In fact, I prefer to have a variety of experiences so I can learn more about the industry.”

2. Do you have any experience working in the restaurant industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience and skills. If you have previous experience, share what you learned from the job that can help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as a server at a local restaurant for two years while I was in college. The restaurant had a casual atmosphere, so I got used to working with customers of all ages. This helped me develop my communication skills and customer service abilities. I also learned how to work under pressure when it came to serving multiple tables at once.”

3. What do you know about Cracker Barrel food, service and atmosphere?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the brand and how you can contribute to it. Cracker Barrel has a unique atmosphere, menu and service style that makes it stand out from other restaurants. Use this opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what makes Cracker Barrel special.

Example: “I’ve been to Cracker Barrel once before for dinner with my family when I was in high school. The food was delicious, and we all enjoyed our meals. My favorite part of the experience was the friendly wait staff who were always smiling and eager to help us. I think I would fit right into the culture at Cracker Barrel because I love working with people and making them happy.”

4. If you were managing a team of servers, what would your leadership style be?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would fit in with their team. Your answer should show that you are a strong leader who is also empathetic and compassionate to your employees’ needs.

Example: “I believe my leadership style would be democratic, where I listen to all of my employees’ opinions on different matters. However, if there was an urgent situation, I would make sure to communicate clearly what needed to happen and when it needed to happen by so everyone knew exactly what they were doing. This way, no one would feel like they didn’t have enough information or direction.”

5. Why is it important for us to keep our dishes clean?

Dishwashing is a common job duty in the food service industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how important it is to keep your work area clean and sanitary. Use your answer to show that you know what steps you need to take to ensure dishes are clean before they go into the dishwasher.

Example: “Keeping our dishes clean is essential for maintaining sanitation standards. If we don’t wash our dishes thoroughly, there’s a chance bacteria could grow on them. This can lead to customers getting sick if they eat off of those plates. I always make sure to use hot water when washing dishes so I can kill any germs or bacteria. Then, I dry each plate with a clean towel before putting it away.”

6. Tell me about a time when you provided excellent customer service.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or helped resolve an issue in a positive way.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a regular customer who would come in every day after work. He was always very friendly and polite, but he would often order the same thing each day without trying anything new. One day, I decided to ask him if he ever wanted to try something different on our menu. He told me that he didn’t want to get too adventurous because he liked what he ordered so much.

I offered to make him a special dish with some of his favorite ingredients from his usual meal. He agreed, and I made him a delicious pasta dish with all of his favorites. He loved it and came back the next day to tell me how much he enjoyed it.”

7. How would you deal with an upset guest?

As a server, you may encounter an upset guest at some point in your career. Interviewers ask this question to see how you would handle the situation and if you have any strategies for diffusing tension. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to help calm the customer down and make them feel more comfortable.

Example: “I once had a customer who was very upset about their meal. They were demanding that I give them a full refund because they didn’t like their food. I tried my best to remain calm and explained that we couldn’t give refunds on meals unless there was something wrong with it. Eventually, I managed to convince them to try another dish. After they ate it, they apologized for being so rude.”

8. Describe a time where you had to work as part of a team.

Working as part of a team is an important skill to have in any workplace. Employers ask this question to see if you are able to work well with others and how you contribute to the success of your team. In your answer, explain what made that situation unique and highlight some skills or qualities that helped you succeed.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked on a small marketing team. We had to come up with new ideas for social media campaigns every week. One time, we were brainstorming ideas when one person suggested using emojis more often. That idea sparked a conversation about how emojis could be used to promote our brand. The entire team came up with several ways to use emojis to market our restaurant.”

9. How did you decide on this career path?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your motivations for working in this industry. It can also give them insight into how long you’ve been doing this job, which can be helpful if they’re looking for someone with experience.

Example: “I grew up going to Cracker Barrel restaurants with my family every weekend. I loved the food and atmosphere so much that when I was old enough to work, I started waiting tables at a local restaurant. After a few years of that, I decided to go back to school to study hospitality management. While I was there, I realized that I really enjoyed working in front-of-house operations more than back-of-house, so I switched my major to focus on customer service.”

10. Have you ever worked at a fast-paced job before?

Cracker Barrel is a fast-paced environment, so the interviewer wants to know if you’re used to working in this type of setting. If you haven’t worked at a fast-paced job before, explain what your previous work experience was like and how it prepared you for this role.

Example: “I’ve never worked at a fast-paced restaurant before, but I have worked as a server at a busy bar where we had to serve multiple tables at once. This helped me learn how to multitask and prioritize my tasks when there are many customers waiting for service.”

11. In your opinion, what does it mean to give great customer service?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company’s values and how you can contribute to them. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate what good customer service looks like.

Example: “I believe giving great customer service means making sure every guest feels welcome and valued. It also means going above and beyond for customers by anticipating their needs and exceeding their expectations. In my last role as a server at a restaurant, I noticed one family was having trouble deciding on an appetizer. So, I offered to bring out some samples so they could try different options before ordering. This helped them feel more confident in their choice and saved them time.”

12. How would you handle a customer who was unhappy with their meal?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills. Use examples from past experiences to highlight how you handled a challenging situation and helped resolve it.

Example: “When I worked at a local restaurant, one of my tables ordered a steak that was undercooked. The customer sent it back twice before they were satisfied with their meal. I apologized for the inconvenience and offered them dessert on the house. They accepted, and we brought out a complimentary cheesecake. In the end, they left us a good tip and told me they would be returning soon.”

13. Why should we hire you over someone else?

This question is a great way to show your confidence and passion for the job. It also allows you to highlight some of your skills that are relevant to this position. When answering, try to think about what makes you unique as a candidate. Consider including any special talents or experiences that might make you stand out from other applicants.

Example: “I am passionate about customer service, which is why I chose to pursue a career in hospitality. I have always loved interacting with people and making them feel comfortable. In my last role, I was able to help customers find exactly what they were looking for. This led to many repeat customers who enjoyed our restaurant’s atmosphere.”

14. What are some things that you like and dislike about the restaurant industry?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and how they feel about working in the restaurant industry. It can also help you determine if they are passionate enough about the industry to work at Cracker Barrel, which is an important quality for employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that you like about the industry as well as something you dislike.

Example: “I love the fast-paced environment of restaurants because I enjoy being busy and helping customers. However, I do not like when servers have to rush through their orders or meals. At my last job, we had a policy where we could take a few extra minutes with each order so that we could make sure our guests were happy.”

15. Would you be comfortable handling large amounts of cash?

This question is asked to determine your comfort level with handling cash and coins. Cashiers often handle large amounts of money, so employers want to make sure you’re comfortable doing this. If you have previous experience working in a similar role, share what you did to ensure the cash was secure. If you haven’t worked with cash before, explain how you would learn to do it.

Example: “I’ve had several cashier jobs throughout my career, so I’m very familiar with handling cash. In fact, I always made sure to count all the change back to customers to ensure they received their correct amount. I also kept track of any extra money that came into the register at the end of each shift.”

16. Give us three words that describe you.

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality matches with the culture of Cracker Barrel. When answering this question, be sure to use words that show who you are as a person and how you would fit in at the company.

Example: “I am hardworking, friendly and dependable. I have always been someone who puts others before myself. I enjoy making people feel welcome and comfortable. These traits make me an excellent server because I can provide great customer service while also being friendly and helpful.”

17. How do you think being a server has prepared you for retail sales associate position?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you apply your previous experience to this role. Use examples from your past job that show how serving customers helped you develop skills that are useful in retail sales.

Example: “I think being a server has prepared me for this position because I’ve had to learn how to interact with all types of people and handle difficult situations. In my last job, I worked at a restaurant where we served many families with young children. Sometimes, kids would be loud or throw food on the floor, but I learned how to remain calm and still provide excellent service to these families. This skill is something I hope to bring to Cracker Barrel.”

18. What can you tell us about our menu?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in a restaurant that serves food. They want to know how familiar you are with the menu and whether you can describe some of the items on it. If you’ve worked at Cracker Barrel before, share your favorite dish or two. If you haven’t, research the menu online and mention one or two dishes that sound appealing to you.

Example: “I love the chicken pot pie here. It’s so warm and comforting. I also really enjoy the macaroni and cheese. I think it’s important for servers to be knowledgeable about the menu because we should be able to answer questions from customers who might not know what something is.”

19. What is one thing you would change about the service industry?

This question is a great way to see how you approach change and improvement. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on the positive aspects of working in the service industry. You can also use this opportunity to show your willingness to take initiative and make improvements yourself.

Example: “I would like to see more restaurants offer healthy options for customers. I think it’s important that we provide nutritious meals for our guests so they feel good about their dining experience. In my last position, I noticed many people ordered dessert as an appetizer because there weren’t any healthier options available. So, I started making some healthy snacks at home and brought them into work. My coworkers loved them, and soon enough, we were selling out every day.”

20. Is there anything you would like to ask us?

This question is your opportunity to ask any questions you have about the job or company. It’s important to do some research on the organization before your interview, so you can come prepared with a few questions that show you’re interested in learning more about Cracker Barrel.

Example: “I noticed that Cracker Barrel has an employee discount program. I was wondering if employees are eligible for discounts during their employment and after they leave the company.” This shows the interviewer that you’re interested in the perks of working at this company.

“I also noticed that there are opportunities for advancement within the company. I’m curious as to what steps one would take to advance from server to manager?” This shows the interviewer that you’re motivated by career growth and development.