What to bring to fast food interview

By Chron Contributor Updated May 14, 2021

Jobs in the fast-food restaurant industry can offer a number of rewards besides free lunches. Acing your fast food job interview for a job with a fast-food franchise or even a small fast-food restaurant in your hometown can land you the job you want. Many fast-food hourly workers advance to become assistant managers and managers, even franchise representatives. Therefore, if you demonstrate your commitment and willingness to work hard during your interview, you could be opening the door to your career in the food industry.

Research the job and the company before your interview to learn about its products, history, culture, strengths and potential weaknesses. This knowledge will show you care about the position and your future with the company. Indeed Career Guide recommends wearing business casual for fast food job interviews such as khaki pants and a clean, pressed shirt or blouse with dress shoes. Arrive a little early to show that you make an effort to be on time.

Exhibit energy, enthusiasm and a pleasant demeanor when answering fast food interview questions. Research the company to show that you take the job search seriously and seek to make a great first impression. McDonald's suggests being prepared to answer fast food interview questions such as "Why do you want to work here?" and "Why are you the best person for the job?"

Project Practical indicates that job applicants should be able to show how their work history is germane to the fast-food restaurant business. Regardless of whether you have been a retail worker, receptionist, drive-through attendant or a fast-food service manager, be prepared to discuss your duties and responsibilities, and how you fulfilled them. Show dedication to your work so the interviewer will know you contribute as a team player.

Give concrete examples of your ability to provide excellent customer service in a timely manner, which is the cornerstone of the fast-food restaurant industry. For example, describe how you handle a sudden rush of customers or your team-player attributes when you see another employee is struggling to manage long lines or demanding customers. If you have no previous experience, let the interviewer know you are aware of the importance of customer service and your willingness to learn all aspects of the job.

Mention the training you received at different jobs that you've held, including the ones you liked the best and ones you believe you could improve at. Detail your how training will help you progress from one position to the next in the fast-food industry. Express interest in additional training to keep up with changes.

Stress your loyalty to the job and the company. Fast-food restaurants have high turnover rates. If you present yourself as someone different from the typical, job-hopping fast-food worker, you can distinguish yourself from the rest of the candidates.

Have a list of questions ready for the interviewer when she asks if you have any thoughts about the job or questions about the company at the end of the interview. For example, you can inquire about your job duties, the chain of command, training and performance evaluations, and opportunities for professional advancement.

Send a thank-you note to the interviewer to express your appreciation for the time he spent learning about your qualifications. A thank-you note is a professional courtesy and can help you impress the interviewer as a suitable job candidate.

Fast Food Interview Questions

If you are looking for fast food interview questions you have come to the right place.

We all know interviews are stressful and competition is intense.

However, with a small amount of preparation you can ace the interview.

Here we will discuss fast food job interview questions.

Fast Food Interview Questions and Answers

1. Tell us about yourself?

It’s okay to discuss your hobbies and interests but keep it brief. Try and focus on related work experience. Remember having related work experience will put you ahead of the competition.

2. Why do you want to work in the fast food industry?

Possible Answers are

Say you want to learn and grow your career in the restaurant industry.
Mention you will enjoy the challenge of working under pressure.
State you would like a job that keeps you active.

3. What is your greatest strength?

This question is an invitation to explain why you are the best-qualified candidate for this job!

The answer should be broken down into three parts

The Strength – state the strength
Proof of the strength – an example of how you have used this strength.
The strength’s relevance to THIS job.

4. What is your greatest weakness?

You should not deny you have a weakness or state strengths as a weakness (I am a perfectionist, or I work too hard and neglect my friends and family). State a fault that is required for the role but not a dealbreaker if you don’t have it.
When you state your weakness make sure you say what you are doing to overcome that weakness. For example, I have a fear of public speaking and enrolled in a public speaking class to overcome my fear.

5. What hours can you work?

The more flexible you are with your hours, the better your chance of getting hired, so be flexible!
If possible, let the interviewer know you can work on weekends and/or holidays.

6. What can you tell us about this restaurant?

Interviewers ask this question to weed out applicants who are hoping to get an interview by randomly applying to hundreds of jobs. Instead, they want to meet with applicants who have done their research about the company. Here are a few facts about this company

7. Who are our competitors?

Learning who the restuarants competitors are will help you answer why you want to work there over other restaurants.

Most Americans eat fast food 1-3 times a week.
⅓ of Americans are eating fast food on any given day.
People ages 20-39 years old eat the most fast food on any given day.
Men consume more fast food than women.
83% of American families eat fast food at least once a week.
The average American household spends 10% of its annual income on fast food.

8. How would you define excellent customer service?

The customer is not waiting long for their order.
Customers receive friendly service.
The restaurant is clean both inside and outside.
The product is made to order.

9. Why is customer service so important?

Great customer service can

Increase customer loyalty
Grow the amount of money each customer spends per visit
Increase how often a customer buys from you
Generate positive word-of-mouth about your business

10. How would you deal with a difficult customer?

Listen and let the customer vent.
Show the customer you care.
Don’t blame the customer or the company.
Try to solve the problem or find someone who can.
Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Finally, it is important not to take it personally. If you get upset you will take it on future customers.

11. Tell us about a time you went above and beyond for a customer?

Customers love when you go above and beyond for them which will, in turn, generate more business. Try and think of a time you went above and beyond for a customer. For example, when I was a server at a restaurant we did not have a particular dessert in the restaurant. Luckily the restaurant next door had it and I was able to get it for the customer.
Here’s another example: in my last job I worked at a fast-food chain. There was a senior citizen at the restaurant and he had finished his meal. It started to rain and he was worried, as he did not have an umbrella. Luckily, I had an umbrella, so I walked him to his car, sheltering him from the rain.

12. Describe a time when you had to deal with a customer and you could not resolve their complaint?

Sometimes customers make complaints that are impossible to resolve. What is important is how you diffused the situation and did your best to make sure the customer left happy.
For example, a customer once came in with an expired coupon and they were upset they could not get the discount on their order. I appologized to the customer. I noticed the customer had small children and she would have to stand around and wait for her order. After I appologized I told the customer to find a table and I will bring the meals over to them for which the customer was greatful.

It all comes back to the basics. Serve customers the best-tasting food at a good value in a clean, comfortable restaurant, and they’ll keep coming back.

Dave Thomas

13. What do you like most about your current or last job?

Unfortunately, this can be a trick question as they may be looking for things you didn’t like in your last job.
The best answer is to say that you enjoyed everything about your last job, however, you feel that you have learned all you can in that role and are now looking for new challenges.

12. Why is there a gap in your resume?

Honesty is the best approach when answering this question. Being honest about your situation gives the employer a sense of your integrity and confidence.

13. Why did you leave your last job?

Interviewers ask this question for the following reasons.

Did you leave for a good reason?
Did you leave voluntarily?
Did you leave on good terms?
What are your work values?

Here is a sample response

“I enjoyed my last job at Company XYZ, however, I felt growth was minimal and I was no longer learning. I want to explore new challenges”.

14. How was your attendance in your last job?

Honesty is your best approach when answering this question as the interviewer may check your references.
Emphasize that you understand the importance of starting your shift on time.

15. What motivates you?

Employers ask this question because they want to see your resiliency, and determination in how you’ll handle challenges and setbacks.

Do Say!

Meeting deadlines, targets, or goals
Mentoring and coaching others
Learning new things.
Coming up with creative ideas to improve something, or make something new.
Working well as part of a team.
Finding a way to solve a problem, or overcome a challenge.

Don’t Say!

Money is your motivator. The only exception is if you are in sales
Employee Discounts.

16. Can you work well with others?

Team work is very important in restaurants so it is best to say you work well with others. Try and follow up with a example from your pervious work experience on how you were successful working as a team.

17. Why is personal appearance so important?

Since the majority roles at fast food restaurants are customer facing then personal appearance is very important. Customers need to feel people servicing the food are hygienic which can be seen through personal appearance.

18. How do you feel about standing on your feet for long periods of time?

Most jobs in restaurants will require you to work on your feet for long periods of time. If possible tell the interviewer you do not have a problem with this. Try to wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with low heels, maintain good posture, and stay hydrated.

19. If you could be one animal what would it be?

When you state what animal you would be, make sure to state why.

Possible Answers are

Dogs to demonstrate loyalty.
Ants are hard workers and team players.
Dolphins are smart.
Elephants are strong.
Gorilla is gentle but powerful, a good parent, and a good leader.

20. Why should we hire you?

Have a second read of the job description and find the skills and experience required for the position.
Next match the skills required for the job to your own skillset.
Finally, reassure the interviewer you have the right skills.

21. How did you find this job?

Interviewers ask this question because they want to hire someone who is being specific in their job hunt.
Basically, employers want to hire someone who knows what they want. Therefore, state you have been actively monitoring jobs on the company’s website and that you are happy to get the interview.
Note you have to be honest when answering this question as they may already know how you applied for this position.

22. What item do you like best on our menu?

Stating your favorite menu item shows the interviewer you are passionate about the restaurants products. Perhaps mention you recently tried a feature item and loved it as it shows you are a recent customer.

23. How do you feel about working the drive-in?

A large portion of revenue comes from the drive-in at fast food restaurants. In fact drive-thrus captured 82.4 percent of the spend in 2020. Tell the intervieweer you have no issues working the drive in.

24. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Interviewers ask this question because they want to see you have goals and ambition. Interviewers also ask this question because they want to see if you are a good fit for the industry.

25. Have you ever been in a situation where you had a big workload and felt overwhelmed? How did you deal with that?

Everyone gets overwhelmed from time to time. What is important is how you deal with the situation. Tell the interviewer you would deal with critical items first then deal with items that you could get done the quickest. Also tell the interviewer you have no issue asking for help and helping others when they get overwhelmed.

Tip! Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the interview. Asking questions is important because it builds rapport between you and the interviewer.

26. Do you have any questions for us?

What do you like best about working here?
How would you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
What about this position is the most important?
How would you measure my success and what could I do to succeed in your expectations?
Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? What can I do in order to get up to speed quickly?
What opportunities will I have to learn and grow?