Comparisons

The 10 best restaurant hiring platforms

Sean Griffith
Chief Truffler

October 21, 2024

Finding the right staff for your restaurant can be a challenge. Whether you’re running a busy neighborhood café or a fine dining spot, having a reliable team makes all the difference. General job boards often miss the mark, which is why many restaurant owners turn to specialized restaurant hiring platforms.

In this guide, we’ll break down the 11 best restaurant hiring platforms to help you cut through the noise and find the talent you need to keep your business running smoothly.

Table of Contents

    Why specialized restaurant hiring platforms make sense

    Hiring restaurant staff is different from hiring for an office job. You need people who can handle the unique demands of hospitality—whether that’s working under pressure, juggling tasks, or just being able to jump in wherever needed. That’s why these hiring platforms for restaurants exist. They’re designed to help you find people who’ve been there and know what to expect.

    Using these platforms means:

    • You’re targeting candidates who want to work in hospitality.
    • You can leverage tools specifically designed for restaurant hiring, like scheduling and applicant tracking.
    • You cut down on the time spent weeding through resumes from people who aren’t a fit.

    1. Poached Jobs

    Poached is one of the go-to job boards for restaurants. It caters specifically to the hospitality industry, so you’re not wasting time with irrelevant applicants. It’s great for everything from front-of-house roles to line cooks.

    Key features:

    • Industry focus: You’re reaching people who already know the restaurant game.
    • Mobile-friendly: Candidates can apply from their phones, making the process smoother.
    • Temporary staffing: You can find temp staff if you need someone on short notice for a busy shift.
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    2. Culinary Agents

    Culinary Agents takes a more professional approach to hiring for food and beverage roles. Think of it as the LinkedIn for restaurant and hospitality pros. It’s not just about jobs—you can also network with talent across the industry.

    Key features:

    • Proactive recruiting: You can search for talent, not just wait for them to apply.
    • Detailed profiles: Candidates can create profiles that showcase their experience and skills, which helps you filter out who’s qualified right away.
    • Diverse talent pool: You can find everyone from seasoned chefs to fresh talent looking to break into the industry.
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    3. Harri

    Harri isn’t just a hiring platform—it’s a full workforce management tool. It’s got everything from job postings to scheduling and internal communication, which can be a lifesaver for restaurant owners trying to keep track of a growing team.

    Key features:

    • All-in-one solution: From hiring to managing your staff, Harri has it covered.
    • Applicant tracking: You can easily keep tabs on where candidates are in the hiring process.
    • Scheduling tools: Once you’ve hired someone, you can use Harri to manage their shifts and communicate with your team.
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    4. Indeed

    Indeed might not be hospitality-specific, but its reach is massive, and that makes it useful for volume hiring. If you need to fill positions quickly, the sheer number of candidates on Indeed can help. Here's how to post a job on Indeed in five simple steps.

    Key features:

    • Sponsored job listings: Pay to push your job to the top of search results for better visibility.
    • Resume database: You can actively search through resumes to find candidates that meet your requirements.
    • Simple setup: Posting a job and screening candidates is straightforward.
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    5. ZipRecruiter

    ZipRecruiter uses some clever AI to help match you with the right candidates quickly. You can also post to over 100 job boards in one go, which can be helpful if you’re trying to reach as many people as possible.

    Key features:

    • AI-powered matching: The platform learns what you’re looking for and sends better candidate matches over time.
    • Mass job posting: Post to a wide range of job boards with a single click.
    • Mobile-friendly: Applicants can apply easily from their phones, which is a must these days.
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    6. Seasoned

    Seasoned focuses on hourly workers in the restaurant industry. It’s especially useful for hiring locally since it taps into community-based networks. If you’re looking to fill front-line roles quickly, Seasoned is a solid option.

    Key features:

    • Local talent pool: Find experienced restaurant staff in your area.
    • Instant interviews: Candidates can schedule interviews right away, which speeds up the process.
    • Efficient hiring: Seasoned aims to reduce the time it takes to hire, which is crucial when you’re short-staffed.
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    7. Snagajob

    Snagajob is all about hourly work, making it perfect for restaurants. Whether you need part-time help or full-time staff, Snagajob’s got a large pool of hourly workers ready to apply.

    Key features:

    • Mobile-first design: Applicants can apply via mobile, which increases your chances of getting responses quickly.
    • Designed for hourly work: Built specifically for industries like restaurants, retail, and hospitality.
    • Automated interview scheduling: The platform can handle interview scheduling automatically, saving you a ton of time.
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    8. Hcareers

    Hcareers is a job board that specializes in the hospitality industry. It’s a good place to find experienced professionals who have worked in restaurants, hotels, and similar settings.

    Key features:

    • Hospitality-focused: You’re reaching candidates with relevant experience right off the bat.
    • Recruitment tools: You can use advanced filters and background checks to narrow down your search.
    • Targeted job ads: Ensure your postings reach candidates with the right experience.
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    9. Shiftgig

    Shiftgig connects businesses with gig workers who are looking for temporary shifts. If you need extra hands for a busy weekend or a special event, this is a great way to get people in fast.

    Key features:

    • Temporary staffing: Ideal for hiring on-demand workers when you need extra help.
    • Flexible hiring: Get workers for just a few shifts, which is perfect for filling gaps.
    • Easy scheduling: Manage shifts and communicate with workers through the platform.
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    Choosing the right restaurant hiring platform

    With so many options available, the key is to figure out which restaurant hiring platform fits your needs. Here’s how to make that decision:

    1. Know what you need: Are you hiring for long-term roles or just filling temporary gaps? Pick a platform that caters to your hiring timeline.
    2. Think about volume: Some platforms are better for high-volume hiring (like Indeed), while others are great for finding skilled professionals (like Culinary Agents).
    3. Check for extra features: Applicant tracking, scheduling tools, and even candidate matching can save you time and hassle.
    4. Consider budget: Some platforms offer free posting options, while others charge for premium features like sponsored posts or advanced filters.

    Frequently asked questions about restaurant hiring platforms

    1. What is a restaurant hiring platform?
    It’s a job board or recruitment site built to help restaurants find qualified staff quickly and easily. These platforms often include tools like applicant tracking and scheduling.

    2. Which platform is best for hiring hourly workers?
    Platforms like Seasoned and Snagajob are designed specifically for hourly workers, which is perfect for most restaurant roles.

    3. Can these platforms help me hire seasonal or temporary staff?
    Yes, platforms like Shiftgig specialize in connecting restaurants with temporary or gig workers.

    4. How do I choose the best hiring platform for my restaurant?
    It depends on what you’re looking for. If you need quick hires, go for platforms with large applicant pools like Indeed or ZipRecruiter. If you’re looking for specific skills, Culinary Agents or Hcareers might be a better fit.

    Final thoughts on restaurant hiring platforms

    Finding the right staff is one of the most important parts of running a restaurant. By using one of these restaurant hiring platforms, you can make the process smoother and more efficient. Whether you’re looking for temporary help or long-term team members, there’s a platform here that will help you find the talent you need.

    Related resources

    Common interview technique FAQs

    What are the key elements of interviewing known as the 5 C's?

    The 5 C's of interviewing include Competency, Character, Communication Skills, Culture Fit, and Career Direction. Competency involves having the necessary technical skills for the task, often assessed through technical evaluations during the interview.

    How can one conduct an interview effectively?

    To conduct an effective interview, start by making the applicant comfortable, such as by establishing rapport with a shared topic before diving into more challenging questions. Utilize open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses, listen more than you speak, take notes diligently, and be mindful of legal boundaries in questioning.

    What are five effective tips for performing well in an interview?

    When giving an interview, it's advisable to arrive early, prepare a brief summary of your experience relevant to the position, listen attentively to each question, maintain a positive demeanor while avoiding negative remarks about previous employers, and be conscious of your body language and tone.

    What steps should be followed to conduct a proper interview?

    A good interview should begin with a friendly opening to make the candidate feel at ease, followed by proper introductions. Set clear expectations for the interview, treat it as a conversational exchange to gather essential information, and share your leadership philosophies. Finally, allow the candidate to ask their own questions.

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    Sean Griffith
    Chief Truffler
    Sean’s entrepreneurial spark lit early, starting with leadership roles at Best Buy Canada before launching a snow plowing startup that garnered international attention. He scaled SimpleTexting from $1MM to $40MM in ARR, later becoming COO of Sinch's SaaS division, overseeing 750+ employees and $300MM in ARR. A marathoner and sun-chaser, Sean thrives on tackling big challenges.

    Smarter, faster, and fairer hiring starts here.