A Complete Guide to Interviewing at Bloomin’ Brands Restaurants

With nearly 1,500 restaurants worldwide and popular brands like Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Bloomin’ Brands offers an exciting opportunity for hospitality and restaurant professionals. However, landing a job with this leading casual dining company requires preparation to shine in the interview process

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore key details on interviewing at Bloomin’ Brands from what to expect in the hiring process to specific questions you’re likely to encounter. Master these interview tips and you’ll be ready to share your experience providing amazing guest service and join the Bloomin’ Brands team!

Overview of Interview Process at Bloomin’ Brands

The interview process at Bloomin’ Brands restaurants typically follows this structure:

• Initial phone or in-person screening interview with a manager
• Follow-up interview focused on your experience and qualifications
• For corporate roles, additional interviews with department heads
• For management roles, panel interview with multiple team members
• Final interview with GM/Director level leadership

Expect questions aimed at determining your guest service mindset, flexibility, work ethic and ability to thrive in a fast-paced restaurant environment. Interviewers will look for team players passionate about hospitality.

Come prepared to share relevant examples that highlight your friendliness, responsibility, adaptability and commitment to making guests happy. Certifications in food safety and alcohol service are a plus.

While each brand differs slightly, the overall process will evaluate your fit within Bloomin’ Brands’ lively, guest-centric culture rooted in making meaningful connections.

Most Common Interview Questions at Bloomin’ Brands

Let’s look at examples of key interview questions asked for both hourly and management level roles at Bloomin’ Brands restaurants:

Hourly & Entry Level Positions

1. Why do you want to work for our restaurant brand?

Highlight your affinity for the brand’s food, atmosphere and values. Share why you’re passionate about delivering excellent hospitality and creating memorable dining experiences for guests.

2. What does providing great customer service mean to you?

Define great service through concepts like warmth, friendliness, understanding needs, patience, taking accountability and going the extra mile. Give an example of how you’ve provided this level of service.

3. Tell me about a time you had to interact with an unhappy customer. What was the situation and how did you respond?

Share how you empathized but remained positive, actively worked to resolve their complaint, and turned the experience into a positive one. Emphasize patience and accountability.

4. Our restaurant gets very busy at times. How would you handle the stress and fast pace?

Discuss thrive under pressure, your experience multitasking, and putting guests first no matter how busy it gets. Convey your energy and stamina.

5. What are your availability and scheduling restrictions?

Demonstrate open availability since evening, weekend and holiday shifts are common requirements in restaurants. However, highlight flexibility to work with managers on any limitations.

6. Tell me about a time you had to balance competing priorities. How did you handle it?

Explain how you stay organized, prioritize urgent requests while not neglecting other tasks, communicate with colleagues for support, and adapt on the fly while maintaining high service standards.

7. Where do you see yourself in this role and with our company long-term?

Express your interest in developing hospitality skills and passion for growing your career in the restaurant industry. Convey this as a long-term opportunity, not a short-term job.

8. Do you have any food safety or alcohol service certifications?

Certifications demonstrate knowledge critical to a restaurant role. If lacking, highlight eagerness to obtain required certifications.

Management Positions

9. What experience do you have training, mentoring and motivating restaurant team members?

Share examples that highlight your ability to build morale, recognize achievements, motivate continuous improvement, develop talent, and foster teamwork.

10. Tell me about a time you had to discipline an employee or address challenging behavior. How did you handle it?

Emphasize following proper protocols, communicating directly and constructively, listening to their perspective, establishing clear expectations, and taking a coaching approach focused on improvement.

11. How would you respond if a guest complained about an employee’s rude behavior?

Spotlight your customer service focus and tact. You would listen empathetically, apologize, immediately address the issue, and turn the negative experience into a positive one. Follow up to ensure guest satisfaction.

12. What would you do if you noticed a team member violating food safety protocols?

Note you would intervene immediately to correct the actions and protect guests. Explain the proper way to handle the situation constructively while impressing the critical importance of food safety. State you would escalate if violations continued.

13. What are some techniques you’ve used to motivate and increase restaurant sales?

Share sales driving tactics like role modeling excellent service, coaching staff on