20 JOEY Restaurants Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique set of questions that they like to ask. And JOEY Restaurants is no different.

If you’re interviewing for a job at JOEY Restaurants, you can expect to be asked about your experience in the restaurant industry, your customer service skills, and your ability to handle a fast-paced environment.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common JOEY Restaurants interview questions, along with sample answers to help you stand out from the competition.

JOEY Restaurants Interview Process

The interview process at JOEY Restaurants can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For server positions, the process may involve a virtual interview followed by an in-person interview with the manager. For other positions, such as host or chef, there may be multiple rounds of interviews, both in person and via Zoom. Overall, the process is generally well organized and efficient, although some applicants have reported long wait times for their interviews.

1. Do you have any experience working with food allergies?

If you’re interviewing for a position that involves working with customers, it’s likely the interviewer will ask this question. Working in food service can be challenging when it comes to accommodating customers who have allergies or dietary restrictions. Your answer should show your ability to work with these challenges and provide solutions.

Example: “I’ve worked with customers who have food allergies before, but I haven’t had any experience working at a restaurant where we offer gluten-free options. However, I am familiar with some of the common allergens like peanuts and shellfish. If a customer has an allergy, I always make sure to double-check with them what they can and cannot eat. Then, I’ll let my manager know so they can relay the information to the kitchen staff.”

2. If a customer is unhappy with their meal, how would you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation you encountered in the past and how you handled it.

Example: “If a customer is unhappy with their meal, I would first apologize for the inconvenience and offer them a replacement or refund. If they are still unsatisfied, I would try my best to make them happy by offering additional food items on the house or a discount on their next visit.”

3. Are you available to work weekends and holidays?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re available for the hours that they need. If you are, explain why you can work those hours and how it fits into your schedule.

Example: “I’m happy to work weekends and holidays as long as I know in advance so I can plan my personal life accordingly. In fact, I prefer working on the weekend because there’s usually less of a wait time than during the week.”

4. Tell me about one of your favorite restaurants, why do you like it so much?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience with different types of restaurants and can adapt to new environments. When answering this question, try to pick a restaurant that has similar qualities to JOEY Restaurants.

Example: “My favorite restaurant is a small Italian place in my hometown called Mario’s Pizzeria. I love the family-style atmosphere and the fact that they make their own pasta. The food is always fresh and delicious, and it reminds me of home when I’m away.”

5. Why do you want to work at JOEY Restaurants?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your interest in the position and the company. Use this opportunity to show how you’ve done research on JOEY Restaurants, including what you like about the restaurant’s aesthetic or its menu items.

Example: “I want to work at JOEY Restaurants because I love the modern industrial look of the restaurants. The food looks delicious, too, and I’m excited to be a part of such a successful chain. I also really enjoy working with people, so I think I would do well as a server.”

6. What is your experience with serving customers?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with customer service and how you interact with customers. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you helped a customer or group of customers in a positive way.

Example: “I have worked as a server for five years now, so I am very comfortable interacting with customers. In my last position, I had a large party that was celebrating a birthday. The family members were all over the age of 50, but they wanted to order some craft beers. I explained our beer list to them and recommended several options based on their preferences. They ended up ordering two appetizers and three entrees, and everyone enjoyed their meal.”

7. How would you handle an angry customer?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a challenging situation and if you have the ability to diffuse it. In your answer, demonstrate that you can remain calm under pressure and use your communication skills to resolve the conflict.

Example: “I once had an angry customer who was upset because they didn’t like their meal. I listened to them explain why they were unhappy and apologized for their experience. Then, I offered to replace their meal or give them a discount on their next visit. The customer accepted my offer and left happy.”

8. Describe a time when you successfully completed a task under pressure.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were able to complete a task that was important to your employer or the company. This can help show how you prioritize tasks and work under pressure.

Example: “When I worked at my previous restaurant, we had an event booked for 200 people but only enough food prepared for 150. The kitchen staff and I decided to prepare more food than needed so we could accommodate any guests who arrived late. We ended up having to serve 250 people, which would have been challenging if we hadn’t made extra food. However, because of our preparation, we were able to serve everyone without running out of food.”

9. What makes you a good candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you would fit in with their team. Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly read the job description so that you can reference any specific skills or experience they are looking for. In your answer, try to highlight a few of these skills while also explaining why you have them.

Example: “I believe I am a great candidate for this position because of my previous experience working as a server at a high-end restaurant. This experience taught me how to work under pressure and handle difficult customers. It also gave me valuable experience interacting with guests and learning what they want from their dining experience.”

10. Have you ever worked in a fast-paced environment before?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to work in a busy restaurant environment. In your answer, try to highlight any experience you have working in a fast-paced setting and how well you performed in those situations.

Example: “I’ve worked in several high-volume restaurants before, including one where I was the only server on staff for most of my shifts. This meant that I had to be able to multitask between taking orders, delivering food and drinks and handling customer questions and concerns. I’m used to being under pressure and performing well in these types of environments.”

11. Describe your personality as if you were a drink on the menu.

This question is a fun way to learn more about the applicant’s personality and sense of humor. It also helps you determine if they would fit in with your team.

Example: “I’d be the Moscow Mule, because I’m spicy and refreshing. I love making new friends and am always ready for a good time.”

12. What are some of your strengths?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and skills. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a few specific examples that relate to the job you’re applying for.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work. I also have excellent communication skills, so I’m able to clearly explain any issues or concerns to customers. In addition, I am very friendly and outgoing, which makes working with others enjoyable.”

13. Name two things that can ruin a guest’s experience at a restaurant.

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you understand the importance of providing a positive experience for your customers. In your answer, explain how you would avoid these things from happening and what steps you would take to ensure that every guest has an enjoyable time at JOEY Restaurants.

Example: “I believe two things can ruin a guest’s experience at a restaurant are poor service and food that is not prepared properly. I always make sure to greet guests with a smile and offer them assistance when they need it. If I notice something wrong with a dish or drink, I will immediately address it so that we can fix it as soon as possible. To prevent mistakes in the kitchen, I am constantly checking on my team members to make sure they are following proper procedures.”

14. How did you get into cooking/serving?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your motivations for working in this industry. It’s important to be honest, but also try to make it interesting by including a story or two about how you got started.

Example: “I’ve always loved food, so I decided to take some classes at my local community college when I was 18. After that, I knew I wanted to pursue cooking as a career, so I transferred to a culinary school where I learned more advanced techniques and skills. I graduated with honors and landed an internship at a restaurant here in town.”

15. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult or upset customer, how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a similar situation in their restaurant. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you have the ability to remain calm and solve problems with customers.

Example: “I had a difficult experience with a customer at my last job. The customer was upset because they didn’t like their meal. I tried to explain that we could remake it for them or give them a discount on their bill. However, they were still unhappy and left without eating anything. I apologized to our other customers and explained what happened. We gave them a free dessert as an apology.”

16. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example that highlights your customer service skills.

Example: “When I worked at a local coffee shop, there was a regular who would come in every morning for his usual order of a large black coffee and a blueberry muffin. One day, he came in and ordered the same thing as usual but when I brought him his food, he said something wasn’t right with his coffee. He had ordered a large coffee but instead got a small one. I apologized profusely and offered to make him another cup free of charge. He declined, saying he didn’t want me to get in trouble. Instead, he paid for both cups and left a generous tip.”

17. What does great service mean to you?

When working in the hospitality industry, it’s important to understand what great service means. Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have a similar definition of great service as JOEY Restaurants. In your answer, try to explain what makes customers feel valued and how you would implement that into your work.

Example: “Great service is when I can tell that an employee cares about their job and wants to make sure they’re doing everything they can for the customer. For example, at my last restaurant job, we had a server who always made sure our drinks were full and checked on us regularly. She was also very knowledgeable about the menu and could recommend dishes based on our preferences. That kind of service really made me feel like she cared about her job and wanted to give us the best experience possible.”

18. We expect our team members to be flexible and adaptable. Can you give us an example of a time where you had to change your schedule or tasks quickly?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you adapt to change and whether or not you have experience with it. When answering, consider an example that shows your flexibility and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working a double shift one day when another server called in sick. My manager asked me if I could cover their tables for the rest of the night. I agreed, but had to rearrange some of my tables so I could get everything done on time. It took a little longer than usual, but I got through it.”

19. Which shift are you available to work?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your availability for the position. If you are only available during certain shifts, they may not be able to hire you. When answering this question, make sure to mention all of the shifts that you are available to work.

Example: “I am available to work any shift at JOEY Restaurants. I have experience working in a fast-paced environment and can adapt to whatever schedule is necessary.”

20. Describe yourself using three adjectives.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you can describe yourself in a positive light. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and use adjectives that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “I am creative, hardworking and organized. These three qualities have helped me succeed in my previous positions as a server and bartender at various JOEY Restaurants locations.”