20 IHOP Interview Questions and Answers

IHOP is a popular chain of restaurants known for their pancakes and other breakfast items. If you’re applying for a job at IHOP, you can expect to be asked some specific interview questions about your experience working in the food service industry, as well as your ability to handle customer service inquiries and complaints.

In this guide, we’ll provide some sample IHOP interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

IHOP Interview Process

The interview process at IHOP can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, such as Server or Line Cook, the process is typically fairly straightforward and may only consist of one or two interviews. For management positions, such as General Manager or Assistant Manager, the process may be more extensive and include multiple rounds of interviews. Overall, the interview process is generally not too difficult, although some applicants may find the behavioral questions challenging. Overall, the interview experience is generally positive, with most applicants finding the staff to be friendly and helpful.

1. How would you handle an upset customer?

IHOP is a restaurant that serves food to the public, so you may be asked this question to assess your customer service skills. Use examples from previous experience where you helped customers with their concerns and resolved them quickly.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t get enough syrup for their pancakes. I apologized and offered to replace their meal or give them more syrup on the house. They chose the latter option, and I brought over extra syrup right away. The customer seemed satisfied after that, and we haven’t heard any complaints about our syrup since.”

2. What is your ideal working environment?

IHOP is a fast-paced environment, so the interviewer wants to make sure you are comfortable in that type of setting. Your answer should show your ability to work well under pressure and prioritize tasks.

Example: “I thrive in an environment where I am constantly learning new things. In my last position, we were always trying out new recipes and creating new dishes for our customers. It was exciting to be part of something innovative and creative. I also enjoy working with others who are passionate about their jobs. When everyone works together as a team, it makes the job more enjoyable.”

3. Do you have any experience operating a cash register or handling money?

IHOP is a restaurant, so the hiring manager may ask this question to make sure you have experience handling money and operating cash registers. If you do not have any experience with these tasks, consider volunteering at your local IHOP or another restaurant to gain some experience before your interview.

Example: “I worked as a server for three years in high school, so I am familiar with how to handle money and operate a cash register. However, I would like to volunteer at an IHOP location near my home to get more practice if necessary.”

4. Describe how you organize and prioritize multiple tasks to meet deadlines.

IHOP managers often have to manage multiple tasks at once. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn about your time management skills and how you plan your day. Use examples from previous experience where you had to multitask and prioritize your work.

Example: “I use a calendar app on my phone to keep track of all my appointments, meetings and deadlines. I find that using the calendar helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t miss any important dates or events. In my last position as an assistant manager, I was responsible for scheduling servers and ensuring they were available during their shifts. I used my calendar to schedule each server’s shifts and ensure we always had enough staff to cover our tables.”

5. Are you comfortable lifting heavy items such as cases of food?

IHOP servers often lift heavy items such as cases of food and trays of dishes. The interviewer wants to make sure you are physically capable of doing this job well. If you have any physical limitations, it’s important to mention them in your answer so the employer can understand why you might not be able to perform all aspects of the job.

Example: “I am comfortable lifting heavy objects. I worked at a restaurant where we had to carry large amounts of food from the kitchen to the dining room. I was always one of the strongest servers on my team, which helped me get more shifts.”

6. Tell me about your previous work history.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work history and how it relates to the position you’re interviewing for. When answering, be sure to include information that shows your commitment to previous jobs and what skills you gained from them.

Example: “I worked as a server at a local restaurant for five years before coming here. I learned many valuable customer service skills while working there, including how to communicate with customers and resolve any issues they had. I also learned how to multitask and manage my time well when working in a busy environment.”

7. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult person/situation, what did you do?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and stress. It’s important to show that you have good interpersonal skills, are able to remain calm under pressure and solve problems effectively.

Example: “At my last job as a server, I had a regular customer who was very rude to me every time he came in. He would complain about everything from our menu to the temperature of his food. One day, when he was particularly rude, I calmly told him that we were doing our best to provide excellent service and apologized for any inconvenience. He responded by saying that it wasn’t my fault but that he just didn’t like the restaurant. After that, he became much more pleasant.”

8. Can you provide an example of when you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of when you went above and beyond for a customer and how it positively impacted their experience at IHOP.

Example: “When working as a server at my previous restaurant, I had a regular customer who came in every week with his family. One day, he was having a bad day and wasn’t in the best mood. He ordered his food and then left without eating it. I noticed that he hadn’t eaten his meal and followed him out to ask if everything was okay. He told me about his bad day and apologized for leaving without eating. I offered to make him another meal on the house or give him a discount on his next visit. He ended up taking me up on both offers and returned the following week happy and ready to eat.”

9. How well do you interact with people that are older than you?

IHOP servers interact with customers of all ages. The interviewer wants to know how you will respond if a customer is older than you and may not be as tech savvy as other people your age. Show the interviewer that you can treat everyone respectfully, regardless of their age or background.

Example: “I have worked in several restaurants where I interacted with many different types of people. Some were younger than me, some were my parents’ age and others were much older. I always made sure to greet them warmly and make eye contact when speaking to them. If they needed help using technology, I would offer to show them how to use it rather than just explaining what it does.”

10. In this job it’s important to be able to multi-task without losing focus. Give us an example of when you were successful at doing this.

This question is a great way to show your ability to handle multiple tasks and still meet deadlines. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you handled several tasks at once while maintaining quality in each task.

Example: “In my previous position as a server, I was responsible for taking orders, delivering food and drinks, refilling drinks and clearing plates. It was important that I didn’t lose focus on any one of these tasks because if I did, the customer would notice and their experience could suffer. To help me stay focused, I developed a system where I would take notes about what customers ordered so I wouldn’t have to look at my notepad during the meal.”

11. Why do you want to work at IHOP?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at IHOP. They want to know that you are passionate about their company and its values. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the job or company that appeal to you.

Example: “I have always been interested in food service, so when I saw an opening at IHOP, I knew I had to apply. The restaurant’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction really resonates with me. I also love how family-friendly IHOP is, which makes it a great place to work.”

12. What skills do you think are needed to be successful in this position?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on this position and are prepared for what it takes to succeed. When answering, make sure to include skills that align with those listed in the job description.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills needed for success in this position is communication. I am someone who has always been good at communicating with others, whether it’s my coworkers or customers. Another skill I believe is necessary for this role is multitasking. As a server, I often need to balance multiple tasks at once, so I feel confident that I can do the same as an assistant manager.”

13. Are you available on weekends and holidays?

IHOP is a 24-hour restaurant, so you may be asked about your availability. Interviewers want to make sure that you are available for the job and can work weekends and holidays if necessary. In your answer, explain how your schedule works and what days you’re free.

Example: “I am available on weekends and holidays. I have worked in restaurants before where we were open all day and night, so I’m used to working nights and weekends. However, I do have some flexibility with my schedule, so I would be willing to switch shifts if needed.”

14. What do you know about our company?

This question is a great way to show your research skills and how much you know about the company. It also shows that you are passionate about working for this company. Before your interview, read up on the IHOP website and any other sources of information you can find online.

Example: “I have been following IHOP since I was a child because my family would go there every year for our birthday dinners. I am very familiar with the menu and all of the different types of pancakes they offer. I love the idea of being able to work in such an iconic restaurant.”

15. What can you tell us about yourself that will make us want to hire you?

This question is a great way for employers to get to know you better. They want to see that you are passionate about your work and have the skills they need in an employee. When answering this question, be sure to highlight any unique or interesting facts about yourself.

Example: “I am originally from California but moved here to attend college. I graduated with my degree in hospitality management last year and have been looking for a job ever since. I love working with people and making them happy. I also enjoy cooking and baking, which is why I chose to pursue a career in this industry.”

16. Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?

IHOP is a restaurant that offers both solo and team-based work. The interviewer wants to know if you prefer one over the other, as well as how you would handle each type of job. Your answer should show your flexibility in working alone or with others.

Example: “I enjoy both types of work, but I find that I am more productive when I can focus on my own tasks without distractions. However, I also like collaborating with others to solve problems and come up with new ideas. In my last position, I worked mostly by myself, but I was able to collaborate with my manager and coworkers to develop new recipes for our menu.”

17. Have you ever worked in the restaurant industry before?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your experience and how it can benefit their company. If you have previous restaurant experience, be sure to highlight the skills you learned that will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as a server at a local restaurant while I was going through college. It was a very busy place, so I learned how to multitask and prioritize my tasks. I also developed excellent customer service skills because I had to work with many different people every day. These skills helped me get my first job after graduation.”

18. How would you greet someone who walked into our restaurant for the first time?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills. It’s important to be friendly and welcoming, but you also need to make sure they feel comfortable ordering from you. Try to answer this question by describing a specific situation in which you greeted someone who was new to IHOP.

Example: “When greeting customers for the first time, I always try to make them feel welcome. I introduce myself and ask if they have dined with us before. If not, I explain our menu and how we operate. I also let them know that I am happy to answer any questions they may have about our restaurant or food.”

19. IHOP values their employees by offering competitive benefits. Which benefit(s) are most important to you?

IHOP wants to know that you value their benefits package and will take advantage of it. They want employees who are happy with the company’s offerings, so they can keep them for a long time. When answering this question, make sure to mention which benefit(s) is most important to you.

Example: “I am very interested in the 401k plan at IHOP. I have been saving up for retirement since I started working, but I would like to be able to invest more aggressively. The 401k program here seems like an excellent way to do that. I also really enjoy the paid vacation policy. I love traveling, and I think it’s important to get away from work every once in a while.”

20. Tell me about a time where you had to give bad news to a customer, how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle difficult situations. They want to know that you can be honest with customers and provide them with the information they need in a kind way. In your answer, try to show that you are empathetic and willing to help customers understand what’s happening.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a situation where our supplier was out of one of our most popular menu items. We tried to find an alternative product but couldn’t find anything comparable. Instead of keeping it from our customers, we put up signs explaining why the item was unavailable and offered coupons for other menu items.”