How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Cracker Barrel?
Generally speaking, to get an entry-level job at Cracker Barrel as a host, cook, dishwasher, server, retail sales team member, or To-Go specialist, you must be at least 16 years old.
Being a part of the Cracker Barrel family means joining a team that truly cares about their guests and colleagues. Pursuing a career at Cracker Barrel means you will be challenged to grow and develop. Their training programs are second to none, and are matched only by the company's commitment to create a familial environment for their team.
Teen Jobs at Cracker Barrel and Age Requirements
Host/Hostess (Hourly)
As a host/hostess and hospitality expert at Cracker Barrel, you will welcome guests into the store with a smile and call their name when it’s time to eat. You’ll be the first face guests see, so you must have a “Pleasing People” attitude.
You will be on your feet your entire shift, and you must also be able to lift up to 40 pounds. To work as a host/hostess at Cracker Barrel, you must be at least 16 years old. As a Host, you will have flexible hours (full or part time) and the opportunity for promotion.
Cook (Hourly)
As a cook at Cracker Barrel you'll be flipping pancakes as a Grill Cook; prepping fresh salads and desserts as a Prep Cook; or hand-rolling buttermilk biscuits as a Backup Cook. No matter the position, you’ll make sure guests leave full and happy every time.
As a member of the kitchen team, you will use Cracker Barrel’s recipes and methods of food preparation to whip up a full menu of Southern favorites.
In this role, you will correctly prepare menu items, and meet company standards of quality, safety, cleanliness and hospitality in providing guests with the most satisfactory food possible.
As a Cook, you will also have flexible hours (full or part time) and the opportunity for promotion. To work as a cook at Cracker Barrel, you must be at least 16 years old.
Dishwasher (Hourly)
As a kitchen team member and Dishwasher at Cracker Barrel, you’ll keep the kitchen humming by stocking it up with the tools and dishes that are needed to create and plate the restaurant's homemade favorites.
In this role, you will work closely with both the kitchen and dining room teams to make sure that each guest has a spotless table to sit at while enjoying their meal on squeaky clean dishes.
As a kitchen team member, you will have flexible hours (full or part time) and the opportunity for promotion and continued development. To be a dishwasher at Cracker Barrel, you have to be at least 16 years old.
Server (Hourly + Tips)
A server at Cracker Barrel, you will serve up smiles and Southern goodness in a fast-paced, family-friendly environment. Their mission of Pleasing People guides everything that you do. If you are friendly and guest-focused, you can thrive as a server at Cracker Barrel.
You will need to be able to stand for long periods, work in a variety of environments, be expected to lift, load and carry up to 40 pounds, and work with hot and cold food items. You must be able to understand and carry out instructions while working effectively with co-workers and managers to please guests.
To be a server at Cracker Barrel, you have to be at least 16 years old.
To-Go Specialist (Hourly)
As a To-Go Specialist at Cracker Barrel you will support the catering and to-go operation by providing the same hospitality that guests enjoy while dining in. But in a fast-paced, on-the-go way by taking their payment and sending them quickly on their way with hot, fresh food.
To be a to-go specialist at Cracker Barrel, you have to be at least 16 years old.
Retail Sales Team Member (Hourly)
If you’re passionate about a great guest experience and true hospitality, then consider applying for the position of Retail Sales Team Member at Cracker Barrel. Whether you’re helping a guest find the perfect birthday gift or showing off your favorite items from the new collection, your job is to make sure every guest feels at home.
In this role, you will run the roost when it comes to the retail shop – from the cash stand to the product displays and everything in between, you’ll keep the shelves stocked while displaying world-class guest service.
To be a retail sales team member at Cracker Barrel, you have to be at least 16 years old.
Can a 15 Year Old Work at Cracker Barrel?
Because the minimum age to work at Cracker Barrel is 16, 15-year-old’s can’t work here. But we do have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-old’s that you can view instead.
Can a 16 Year Old Work at Cracker Barrel?
The minimum age to work at Cracker Barrel is 16, so 16-year-olds can apply. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-old’s that you can view for more options.
How Much Does Cracker Barrel Pay Part-Time Workers?
The hourly earnings for employees at Cracker Barrel vary because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.
Host/Hostess (Hourly)
As a host/hostess at Cracker Barrel, you will be making somewhere between $8 and $14 per hour. If you are coming in at entry-level without any prior experience, then you will most likely be in the lower end of the range.
The average hourly rate for a Cracker Barrel host/hostess is $12.50.
Cook (Hourly)
The rate of pay for server assistant/bussers is between $12 to $18 an hour. If this is your first kitchen job, chances are you will be on the lower end of the range.
The average hourly rate for a cook is $15 an hour.
Dishwasher (Hourly)
The pay range for dishwashers at Cracker Barrel is between minimum wage and $14 an hour. If you have some experience, you will have a starting wage at the higher end of the range, but if this is your first job, you will most likely be at the lower end.
The average hourly rate for a dishwasher at Cracker Barrel is $12.50 an hour.
Server (Hourly + Tips)
The base pay range for servers at Cracker Barrel is between $3 and $5 an hour. This is because you will rely on tips for your compensation (Servers at Cracker Barrel keep 100% of their tips). A server’s income will fluctuate based on the length of the shift, the timing of the shift, and the section you work in.
For example, you will make more on a Friday night in a busy section as opposed to a Tuesday lunch shift where you are only responsible for a section with small tables. The section you get is based on a rotation, and you can make anywhere between $30 to $100 in a shift (maybe more).
The average hourly rate for a server -- with tips-- is $15 to $20 an hour.
To-Go Specialist (Hourly)
The pay range for a To-Go specialist at Cracker Barrel is between minimum wage and $15 an hour. If you have some experience, you will have a starting wage at the higher end of the range, but if this is your first job, you will most likely be at the lower end.
The average hourly rate for a To-Go specialist is $12.50 an hour.
Retail Sales Team Member (Hourly)
The pay range for a retail store worker at Cracker Barrel is between minimum wage and $14 an hour. If you have some experience, you will have a starting wage at the higher end of the range, but if this is your first job, you will most likely be at the lower end.
The average hourly rate for a retail store worker at Cracker Barrel is $11 an hour.
How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at Cracker Barrel?
Cracker Barrel is an entry-level friendly company, so you can apply for a position without any experience and get hired. However, if you do have some work experience, it could get you a higher hourly pay rate and move you faster into supervisory and management positions.
What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at Cracker Barrel?
Cracker Barrel is a casual dining restaurant, so when you show up for your interview you will want to be dressed in business casual attire. Consider something like a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks and dress shoes. You do not want to show up too casual in a t-shirt and jeans.
Cracker Barrel Interview Questions
The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. But, there are some common questions that they do often ask. At a Cracker Barrel interview, you will most likely talk with at least one or two different managers, both front of the house and back of the house. Here are some questions that they have been known to ask during interviews.
How do you handle stressful situations?
Why are they asking?
Cracker Barrel is a popular chain restaurant that can have incredibly busy lunch and dinner rushes. There are times when working there can be extremely fast-paced and stressful. They are asking you this question to find out how well you would handle that stress, and make sure you are a good fit for the team.
What’s the ideal answer?
The interviewer wants to hear that you work well under pressure. Tell them how you have handled stressful situations in the past, and that you are able to handle a busy dinner rush. However, you never want to lie. If you can’t handle stressful situations well, working in a restaurant may not be the best fit. If you lie about your ability to handle the work environment, it could lead to big problems.
How would you handle a difficult customer?
Why are they asking?
While most of your customers will be happy and satisfied with their dining experience, you will more than likely come across an angry customer every now and then. When this happens, they are wondering how you will handle the situation, and if it fits with their company policy.
What’s the ideal answer?
You want to tell the interviewer that if you come across a difficult customer, you will ask them what you can do to make them happy and fix the problem. If it is something that you can’t take care of, then you will go get a manager and let them take care of it.
Can you pick out an item on the menu and sell it to me?
Why are they asking?
If a manager asks you this question when applying for a server position, they are trying to get you to sell yourself and show off your personality and abilities. Part of your job as a restaurant team member is up-selling items on the menu and increasing ticket sales.
They are wanting to find out how familiar you are with the menu and company culture, as well as how you are able to communicate while being positive and professional.
What’s the ideal answer?
Know your strengths. If you get asked this question, pick something on the menu that you are familiar with. They want to hear that you have above average verbal communication skills, have a friendly and upbeat demeanor, know the menu, and can successfully sell items.
Benefits of Working at Cracker Barrel
Everyone who works at Cracker Barrel gets a 35 percent discount on restaurant and retail items. However, the benefits they offer are only for full-time workers.
Benefits include:
- Competitive pay based on your experience with opportunities to earn additional pay increases with the PAR Training program
- Paychecks weekly
- Flexible Schedules
- Health, Vision, and Dental Benefits starting on day 1
- 401K with company matching starting at 90 days
- Vacation Time
- Employee Stock Purchasing Program
- PAR Training program: an hourly employee training program built to help you grow and succeed. Earn your stars and be rewarded with pay increases.
What it’s Like to Work at Cracker Barrel
How to Apply at Cracker Barrel
If you are interested in working at Cracker Barrel, you can apply directly on the company website, which is the most accurate source for up-to-date hourly job listings, as well as management and corporate positions.
You can fill out your application online, and it will be sent to the specific restaurant you are applying to. You can also apply in-person at the location you are interested in.