cuisinier

bartender

host/server

restaurant manager

line cook

Applebees

Applebee's was a safe place to work and was accommodating to the needs of their employees. They made sure that you are well trained before doing unsupervised shifts. They are more likely to promote people who are able to work more hours than others but they generally react in a positive manner if you offer to help with something that is out of your normal duties.

 The danger comes from the personal views of the managers. Most of the managers that I had were rather positive to who I was as a person and my struggles but I had one manager ruin the experience for me. He was rude, condescending, treated people with mental illnesses poorly, and he let people that bullied others get away with it. The work was easy enough once you got the rhythm of the day, but he made shifts more unbearable than they should have been. But I have heard that he left so it should be okay for people to work there without suffering from his negativity. Applebee's does have a problem with revolving managers so that is why I added that one should be careful about managers because a manager that is determined to make life difficult for you and other co-workers can cause trouble. 

A typical day at work for dishwashers change from day-to-day depending on what day it was and what specials and discounts were being offered. Many of the dishes include cheese that can easily melt all over the plate and will be near impossible to remove if not scraped and steel-wool scrubbed off. Egg yolks are a problem too. But there are tools to get everything done. The squeegee for cleaning the station afterwards can also be used to scrape barbeque sauce off baking sheets. What will be difficult is the pace that is set around dinner time. Things can get hectic real quick if you do not stay diligent about proper stacking of the dishes you receive. 

I learned a lot of things from my time with the company. I learned how to stay focused no matter how chaotic everything gets, how to properly wash plates, even at home with a regular sponge, how to keep track of what is coming in and out of my area, and how to interact with a variety of people.

It can seem intimidating but most of your coworkers are really kind and funny. They will make you smile even if you arrived in a horrid mood. They will let you steal a fry from the fry holder and will make you happier than you arrived.

I have worked at applebees for 3 years. The management has always been the biggest issue for all of me and my coworkers. The managers are men and they are the type to feel the need to display their manliness and dominance by being doing the literal opposite of what anyone else other than another manager suggests. 

They will make up fake rules out of no where. Example: A customer said the temperature it was too cold, so I turned the thermostat up a couple of degrees. After about two years of controlling the thermostat as I please, I was told by the manager that I must ask his permission to touch the thermostat very matter of factly. I never heard this rule in my existence prior before. This is a mild example but this is how things Would be. 

Two out of the three of them say really inappropriate things making everyone feel uncomfortable. Wish I could take to HR but if I Google a contact there is literally no information. 

Co-workers are pretty good and fun people, the are the few bad gals however. 

Favouritism plays a huge role in the shifts you get, so you better learn how to suck up hard and never slip up or you will have to work your way back up to the top. 

No breaks, unless you a smoker or vaper in which you can get a few mins to sit outside the back foot on the curb. 

Don’t get too involved in the drama, just be there to make some money, however little it is. 

A job at Applebees can only satisfy you if you do have a second or third job. Don’t expect to work here as a career bc you will be very poor

In truth working here is not bad, This is dependant on who you work with though. Most cooks are good people that understand team work and will step up to help each other get through the rough times. 

 There is a great deal of good memories with fellow cooks and servers and in truth the people are what makes it. 

 Managers can be a flip of a coin though sadly. There are good ones there that care about their staff but sadly the head company seems to enjoy replacing them with bad ones. 

 Pay is okay but it is very hard to get a raise. One time we where told the new tip out we where getting was going to be our raise. A system that takes a percentage automatically from the servers digital sales.

 They have on the ad that there is overtime pay. This is a half truth really because head office will ensure that no one gets to overtime if they can. In the 7 years i worked there I have only got overtime maybe twice.

 One thing to note as well is that you will never be allowed to know when your shift is done. They operate under your start time is this time and your done when we say your done. So often your best to just assume your closing even if you opened.

One manager was very good and treated the employee's well. As a dishwasher you don't want to fall behind so you would work 8 hours straight (except for when the good manager was in, he would get someone to cover while you went on break). The hardest part was working 8 straight hours without a break which happened on most days. In my position there wasn't too much that was enjoyable about the job. A typical day involves showing up and having a lot of dishes already waiting for you from lunch. When you finally get caught up the dinner rush comes and then you just try to keep up. When you catch up again and closing time comes you get all the cooks equipment to clean which keeps you there even longer. At the old Applebee's they would have 2 people during dinner rushes and when the rush was over you would have time for a break, but it seems like they got cheap and now only use one at all times. As well a lot of the times (except for the one good manager) the managers would clock you out a early while still expecting you to finish cleaning all the cooks things, as well as the dishwasher area, therefore making you lose hours. The co-workers were great to work with. The only enjoyable part of the job was receiving the tip out money.



Applebee's is known for providing its employees with a fast-paced, dynamic and customer-oriented work environment. Working at Applebee's is a great opportunity for people who are passionate about the hospitality industry. The restaurant provides a platform to its employees to learn and develop new skills while having fun.

The management at Applebee's is friendly and supportive and is always ready to assist their staff. However, the workload can be challenging during peak hours, and employees need to be equipped to handle high-pressure situations. 

The team environment at Applebee's is positive and productive. Employees work in harmony towards the common goal of providing excellent customer service. A sense of family is instilled in every restaurant, and employees often have a good rapport with their colleagues. 

In terms of compensation, Applebee's provides its employees with competitive wages, paid time offs, health benefits, and other employee-related rewards. Overall, working at Applebee's is a great way to gain invaluable experience in the hospitality sector while working in a fun and dynamic environment.

Management style is based on fear... fear of being fired, yelled at after a shift (or just in the middle of the restaurant during dinner service), or fear of being given a "bad section" of only 3 tables on your next few shifts because you made them upset.. Don't you dare book off time for a trip or mess up someones order because you will be met with the same aggressive and disrespectful reaction that has NO place in any workplace.

Experience: Had random shifts deleted from my timecard? Had to ask to get the hours re entered. Forcing staff members to pay for tables who walkout? No respect or benefits (of any kind) for long term employees.. Yelling, swearing, blaming everyone else,  smashing plates (or a vacuum?) 

The FOOD: all vegetables/potato are microwaved in plastic bags (duh, welcome to chain) but multiple times I watched a manager rinse off cooked chicken wings in the sink because someone put the wrong sauce on them, re-sauce them, and send them out to a table. Multiple times. Enjoy.  

Workplace culture? Run your butt off so they can't catch you and make you cry

On a everyday work basis it was normally casual, some days are busier then others of course but for the most part it was a positive work place and all the employees came together as a team to form the best experience for the guests. Through working this job I developed more patients in myself and the work place, which I can appreciate and use now on a daily basis. I think personally the most difficult for me was maybe on certain days I wasn’t feeling the best and trying to maintain good composure, if I needed some air just to take a load off for 5 minutes I would ask and then come back and I would be okay to continue working. The best part I’d say would be getting a better understanding of people and the workplace it’s self and becoming part of a working team, also I’d be lying if I didn’t say the food was so good !! But overall a good working experience. And I am grateful to have had that opportunity.

Typical day included team meetings and communications, reviewing SnLs, ordering, line checks, expediting during service, touching tables, dealing with guest concerns, following up on cleaning duties, making adjustments to labour, etc.
I always pay attention to equipment/plumbing/refrigeration repairs looking for ways for pre-emptive maintenance or solutions for simple repairs. I'm computer savvy and learned a lot about the use of Facebook/Twitter/Four Square in regards to restaurant marketing. I understand the power of team dynamics and how to perpetuate a positive atmosphere.
The hardest part of the job is also the most rewarding. That is, bringing a group of people together that can get along and strive to promote the business as a team, and still be able to behave professionally under stressful situations. When you have the right team, the job is very enjoyable.

Working for Applebee's is a great experience i enjoy the environment and the location is perfect. Theres always work to be done so your always busy and never bored. Applebee's staff is very friendly and helpful. Management is amazing and very productive, if you ever needed a day off they would work around your schedule. Applebee's feels more like home then a job. The hardest part about working for Applebee's would be the unsatisfied customers and being over staffed. The most enjoyable part of working for Applebee's would be the freedom to express myself, to laugh when i need to destress, to speak and actually be heard, and to preform not just because I'm paid to do it but because I'm inspired to be the best.

Pros:
	•	Flexible Scheduling – Good for students or those with other commitments.
	•	Team Atmosphere – Many employees say they form close bonds with coworkers.
	•	Fast-Paced Environment – Shifts can go by quickly due to constant activity.
	•	Tips (for Servers & Bartenders) – Potential to make decent money during busy shifts.

Cons:
	•	High Stress During Rush Hours – Can get overwhelming, especially on weekends.
	•	Inconsistent Tips – Some shifts are great, others not so much.
	•	Management Varies – Some locations have great managers, while others may lack strong leadership.
	•	Physically Demanding – Lots of standing, walking, lifting, and dealing with difficult customers.

Overall Rating:

Decent job for those looking for flexible hours and a social work environment, but it can be exhausting, especially during busy shifts. Great for short-term work or as a side gig, but long-term satisfaction depends on location and management.


Top Job Titles	Average salary
Cuisinier 4 salaries reported	$16.38 per hour
Bartender 6 salaries reported	$18.00 per hour
Host/server 5 salaries reported	$17.68 per hour
Restaurant manager 2 salaries reported	$21.63 per hour
Line cook 3 salaries reported	$17.60 per hour

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