20 Fogo de Chão Churrascaria Interview Questions and Answers

Fogo de Chão is a Brazilian steakhouse that was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The restaurant chain has since expanded to locations all over the world, including the United States, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates.

If you’re applying for a job at Fogo de Chão, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Fogo de Chão interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Fogo de Chão Churrascaria Interview Process

The interview process at Fogo de Chão Churrascaria is generally pretty quick and easy. Most applicants report being hired on the spot after a brief interview. However, some positions (such as servers) may require a more detailed interview process. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with most employees finding the staff to be friendly and professional.

1. Can you tell me about your previous experience in the restaurant industry?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know what you’ve learned from previous jobs, how you developed your skills and if you’re ready for a new challenge. When answering this question, try to focus on the most relevant information. If you have limited restaurant experience, talk about any other food service or hospitality work you’ve done.

Example: “I worked as a server at a local restaurant while I was in college. It was a casual place with great burgers, but it closed down after two years. After that, I started working at a hotel where I met my husband. He’s now an executive chef at a five-star resort.”

2. What does Fogo de Chão mean to you?

This question is a test of your knowledge about the company and its culture. Interviewers ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company, as well as to assess how passionate you are about working for them. When answering this question, make sure to mention what Fogo de Chão means in Portuguese and why it’s important to the company.

Example: “Fogo de Chão translates to ‘fire of the floor’ in Portuguese. This name represents the passion that the founders had when they started the business. They wanted to create an authentic Brazilian churrascaria experience where guests could enjoy delicious food while feeling like they were at a traditional Brazilian restaurant.”

3. Why do you want to work at Fogo de Chão?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what attracted you to the position and how you plan to contribute to the team. When preparing for this interview, make a list of reasons why you are interested in working at Fogo de Chão. Consider mentioning any personal connections you have with the restaurant or its employees.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about food, so I am excited to work at a churrascaria that serves delicious Brazilian cuisine. I also have several friends who work here, which makes me even more eager to join the team. I think my passion for cooking and my experience as a server would be valuable assets to the restaurant.”

4. How would you describe your customer service style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would interact with customers at Fogo de Chão. Your answer should include examples of how you have interacted with customers in the past and what your goals are for customer service.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service is a team effort, so I always make sure to thank my coworkers when they provide assistance to our guests. In my previous role as a server, I noticed that many servers were too busy to acknowledge each other’s work, which made it difficult to ensure everyone was getting the support they needed. So, I started a weekly meeting where we discussed ways to improve our teamwork and communication. As a result, we became more efficient and effective as a team.”

5. Have you ever had a difficult guest, how did you handle it?

Fogo de Chão is a high-end restaurant, so the interviewer may ask this question to see how you would handle an upset customer. Use your answer to show that you can remain calm and professional in challenging situations.

Example: “I once had a guest who was unhappy with their meal because they thought it wasn’t spicy enough. I explained that we use different chile peppers for our dishes, which means some are spicier than others. The guest seemed satisfied with my explanation, but if they were still unhappy, I would have offered them a discount on their next visit.”

6. Do you have any experience working with open flames and knives?

Fogo de Chão is a Brazilian steakhouse that serves meat on swords. The interviewer wants to make sure you have the experience and skills necessary to work in this type of restaurant. If you do, share your previous experience with open flames and knives. If not, explain how you would learn these skills if hired.

Example: “I worked at a barbecue restaurant where we cooked over an open flame. I also used large knives when working there. However, I am always willing to learn new things. I can read up on proper knife techniques and ask my coworkers for tips.”

7. Are you available on weekends?

Fogo de Chão is a popular restaurant, so you may be asked to work weekends. Employers want to know that you are willing and able to work when they need you to. If you have any concerns about working on the weekend, it’s important to let them know.

Example: “I am available for weekend shifts. I understand that this position requires weekend work, but I would like to make sure we can find a schedule that works for both of us. I’m happy to work Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday if those are more convenient times for you.”

8. Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle customer service and whether you have any experience in this area. Use your answer to highlight a time when you went above and beyond for a customer, but also show that it was not an uncommon occurrence.

Example: “When I worked at my previous restaurant, we had a regular family who came in every Friday night. The father of the family always ordered the same thing, while the mother and children would order different things each time. One week, the mother called me personally to let me know she wanted to switch her meal to what her husband usually got because he wasn’t feeling well. She said she didn’t want to inconvenience us by having to make another dish, so she offered to pay extra if needed.”

9. Are you willing to learn our 15 cuts of meat?

Fogo de Chão is known for its extensive menu of meats, and the interviewer wants to make sure you’re willing to learn all the cuts. This shows that you are committed to learning new things and improving your skills as a server.

Example: “Yes, I am very excited about this opportunity because it means I will get to try many different types of meat. I have always been interested in learning more about food, so I would love to be able to serve these delicious dishes to guests.”

10. If a fellow team member was not following company policy, what would you do?

Fogo de Chão is a team-oriented company, so the interviewer may ask this question to see how you would handle conflict with your coworkers. In your answer, try to show that you can be assertive and confident in your opinions while also being respectful of others.

Example: “If I saw a coworker not following policy, I would first approach them privately to discuss my concerns. If they were still not complying after our discussion, I would bring it up to my manager or another supervisor. At Fogo de Chão, we are all here to support each other, so I would want to give my coworker every opportunity to comply before escalating the situation.”

11. How well do you work under pressure?

Fogo de Chão is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you can handle the pace. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work quickly while maintaining quality standards.

Example: “I thrive under pressure because it motivates me to perform at my best. I know that if I rush through an order or forget something, there’s no time to fix it. At my last job, we had a lot of customers during lunchtime, so I was always on my toes. I learned how to multitask effectively, which helped me keep calm and focused.”

12. Do you have any experience preparing food or drinks?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience that would be useful in this role. If you do, share what your previous job entailed and how it relates to this position. If you don’t have any experience preparing food or drinks, explain why not and discuss other relevant skills you possess.

Example: “I worked as a bartender for three years at a local bar. I learned how to make many different types of cocktails and developed my customer service skills by interacting with customers while they waited for their drinks. This helped me develop patience when working with large groups of people.”

13. Tell us about a time where you were able to increase sales.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to motivate others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you motivated your team or customers to increase sales.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for increasing the restaurant’s online presence. After researching our competitors, I found that we were missing out on many opportunities to reach new customers through social media. I created a plan with my manager to implement more social media marketing strategies into our business. We started by creating accounts on all major social media platforms and then implemented targeted ads to attract new customers. Within six months, we saw a 20% increase in revenue.”

14. How would you deal with an unhappy customer?

As a server, you may encounter customers who are unhappy with their experience. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the skills necessary to diffuse an uncomfortable situation and ensure that it doesn’t negatively impact other customers’ experiences. In your answer, explain how you would use your interpersonal skills to resolve the issue while maintaining the customer’s dignity.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t like the wine we served them. I explained to them that our restaurant only serves wines from specific regions, so we can’t guarantee that everyone will enjoy every bottle. However, I offered to replace their entire meal with another bottle of wine if they were willing to try again. They agreed, and when they tried the second bottle, they loved it.”

15. What is your favorite part about working in the restaurant industry?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and interests. They want to make sure you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, interacting with customers and being part of a team. Your answer should include two or three things that you love most about the industry.

Example: “I love how friendly everyone is in the restaurant industry. I also really enjoy learning new recipes and cooking techniques. My favorite part about working in the food service industry is getting to interact with people from all over the world. It’s so interesting to hear their stories and find out what they like to eat.”

16. Would you be comfortable working as a bartender?

Bartending is a common job for servers at Fogo de Chão churrascarias. Bartenders are responsible for mixing drinks, taking orders and serving customers. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with the responsibilities of bartending. In your answer, explain that you have experience as a bartender or server. Explain that you enjoy interacting with customers and providing excellent service.

Example: “I’ve worked as a bartender before, so I am familiar with the role. At my last restaurant job, I was often asked to work as a bartender on busy nights. I enjoyed being able to interact with customers and provide them with great service. I think I would be an excellent bartender at Fogo de Chão.”

17. What are some techniques that you use to remember orders?

This question can help the interviewer determine your organizational skills and attention to detail. Use examples from previous work experiences where you used similar techniques to remember orders or customer preferences.

Example: “I use a system of color coding that I learned in my last position as a server at an upscale restaurant. The colors corresponded with different courses, so if someone ordered a steak, it would be red, for example. If they wanted mashed potatoes, it would be yellow, and if they wanted broccoli, it would be green. This helped me keep track of all the orders without having to write them down.”

18. What kind of hours are you looking for?

Fogo de Chão is a fast-paced environment that requires employees to work long hours. The interviewer may ask this question to make sure you’re willing to put in the time and effort required for the position. In your answer, explain what kind of schedule you’re looking for and why it fits your needs.

Example: “I’m looking for a full-time position where I can get plenty of experience. I know Fogo de Chão is a busy restaurant with long hours, but I’m excited about the opportunity to learn from experienced servers. I’m also available to work weekends if needed.”

19. What do you know about Brazilian cuisine?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the food and culture of Brazil. It also allows you to show that you have an interest in Brazilian cuisine, which can be helpful if you are applying for a position as a server or hostess at this restaurant.

Example: “I know that Brazilian cuisine has many influences from Portugal, Africa and indigenous South American cultures. I’ve had the opportunity to try several different types of Brazilian dishes, including feijoada, pão de queijo and moqueca. I find it interesting how each dish uses unique ingredients to create its own flavor profile.”

20. Do you speak any other languages besides English?

Fogo de Chão is a Brazilian restaurant, so it’s important that you speak Portuguese. The interviewer may ask this question to make sure you can communicate with the kitchen staff and other employees who don’t speak English. If you’re fluent in another language besides English, let them know.

Example: “I’m fluent in Spanish, which I learned growing up in Miami. My parents are Cuban immigrants, so we always spoke Spanish at home. I also took two years of high school Spanish, so I have an advanced understanding of the language.”