Interviewing at Doherty Enterprises? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll walk you through the top 15 commonly asked interview questions at Doherty Enterprises and provide tips on how to prepare winning answers. With over 150 restaurants across 13 states, Doherty Enterprises is a leading player in the restaurant franchise industry. Landing a job here could be a great move for your career, but you’ll need to impress the hiring managers first.
As someone who has interviewed and worked at Doherty Enterprises, I understand how nerve-wracking the interview process can be. The good news is that many of the questions are predictable if you know what to expect. Let’s get started!
1. Why Do You Want to Work at Doherty Enterprises?
This is often the very first question you’ll encounter The interviewer wants to gauge your interest in the company and the depth of your research
To prepare, thoroughly research Doherty Enterprises, including their history, restaurant brands, values and mission statement. Highlight your admiration for their brands and growth. Share why you’d be excited to be part of the company. You could mention opportunities for advancement, training programs, or their culture of service excellence.
2. What Does Customer Service Mean to You?
Customer service is the lifeblood of the restaurant business. With this question, interviewers want to assess your service philosophy and skills.
To stand out, define great customer service with clear principles and provide examples of how you’ve delivered it in past roles. Key qualities to highlight include patience, empathy, active listening, problem-solving skills and your passion for creating positive experiences. Quantify your impact if possible – e.g. increased customer satisfaction scores.
3. How Would You Handle an Unsatisfied Customer?
Building on the previous question, interviewers will probe your service skills, especially in difficult situations. They want to see how you de-escalate issues and turn complaints into wins.
Share a real example of diffusing a tense situation, focusing on listening, showing empathy and keeping your cool. Discuss how you uncovered the core issue, solved the problem, followed up and even won over the customer Stay positive when describing the upset customer Finish with what you learned.
4. How Do You Handle Pressure or Stress?
Restaurant gigs can be high-pressure given the fast paced environment. Interviewers want to see that you thrive under pressure.
Describe your go-to stress management tactics while ensuring you maintain performance – e.g. taking a short break to clear your head, asking colleagues for help, using stress as fuel to hyper-focus. Share an example of successfully delivering under pressure, emphasizing any positive feedback received.
5. Why Should We Hire You?
This question demands you to sell yourself and stand out from other candidates. Be concise and highlight your most relevant qualifications.
Focus on your key strengths and accomplishments that indicate you’ll excel in the role – e.g. your prior success in restaurants, achievements in hospitality or customer service awards won. Back it up with specific examples. Close by expressing enthusiasm and reiterate how you’re a strong cultural fit.
6. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
It’s likely you’ll be asked about your salary requirements or expectations. Be prepared with a reasonable range based on market research.
First, defer answering directly by saying “I’m flexible on compensation and open to discussing it once we’re further along in the hiring process.” If pressed, give a range not a specific figure. Say you hope to earn a salary aligned with the market average for this role in this location given your experience level.
7. What Are Your Biggest Strengths?
This is your time to shine! Outline 2-3 strengths that would make you a great hire in this role. Think abilities valued in restaurants – customer service, communication, teamwork, speed, attention to detail, adaptability.
Back each strength up with a specific example. E.g. “I have excellent attention to detail. For example, in my last serving job, I memorized the entire menu including ingredients and made very few mistakes with customer orders.”
8. What Are Your Biggest Weaknesses?
Tread carefully here. We all have weaknesses but don’t raise red flags or severely undermine yourself.
Ideally share a minor weakness that isn’t critical for the role. Then, emphasize what you’ve done to improve. E.g. “I used to struggle being assertive with customers but after taking a communications course, I’m much more confident in stating my perspective.”
9. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
If you’re currently employed, explain you’re seeking a new opportunity to advance your career, gain experience etc. Don’t bash your current employer.
If you’re between roles, share the reason in a positive light, keeping details brief. E.g. “My position was eliminated due to downsizing.” Shift the focus to what you gained from the role and what you seek next.
10. Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
The goal here is to demonstrate ambition and commitment to the company. Share your 5 year plan in relation to growing with Doherty Enterprises specifically.
For example, “In 5 years, I hope to have progressed from a server role to a shift supervisor or assistant manager position, honing my leadership skills. I’m excited about the management training opportunities here and I’m confident I’ll have what it takes to be promoted within Doherty Enterprises. Longer term, I could see myself in an operational leadership position overseeing multiple locations.”
11. How Do You Handle Working in a Fast-Paced Environment?
Working fast is part and parcel of the restaurant scene. Show you can keep up and thrive under speed and pressure.
Describe techniques that help you flourish in fast-paced work – staying organized, effectively prioritizing tasks, having stamina and using pressure as fuel to up your game. Provide an example of excelling in a high-speed environment. Emphasize you enjoy the adrenaline rush.
12. How Do You Stay Motivated?
Interviewers want to understand what drives you to succeed and work hard.
Share what motivates you – e.g. positive feedback, financial incentives, competition, beating personal goals or a sense of purpose. Give specific examples that have energized you, like glowing customer reviews or hitting monthly sales targets ahead of schedule. Position yourself as self-motivated.
13. How Do You Handle Conflict with Coworkers?
Restaurant environments can be prone to interpersonal issues given the high stress nature. Show you aim for win-win resolutions.
Describe your approach – e.g. listening first, finding common ground, looking for compromise. Use a real example of resolving conflict constructively, focusing on the result. Share how you build rapport with colleagues proactively to prevent issues. Position yourself as level-headed and fair.
14. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
Always have thoughtful questions ready to show your engagement. Inquiries about training, advancement opportunities, management style or company culture are strong choices here.
E.g. “What personal attributes do the top performers at Doherty Enterprises share?” Avoid questions about salary, vacation time or benefits at this stage.
15. Are You Available for Overtime or Shifts on Holidays?
Say yes! In the restaurant business, showing availability and flexibility are key.
Highlight that neither overtime nor holiday shifts are an issue for you. If your availability is limited, transparently explain any constraints while reassuring the interviewer you can accommodate the core scheduling needs.
Our Recipe for Success
At Doherty, we believe in recognizing potential and rewarding that potential with career development opportunities. Opportunities come in a variety of ways depending on your specific skills and abilities, personal goals and flexibility.
Cross-training is the first step on the career path for our hourly workers. Next, they become Neighborhood Experts or Associate Trainers, then Corporate Training/Pro-Team Trainers, then Restaurant Supervisors or Shift Supervisors, and finally Management and beyond.
Cross-training for all management positions in the restaurant, pub, or bakery-café leads to the position of General Manager for our managers. They then go on to become Certified Management Training locations and Training General Managers, Executive General Managers, Area Directors, Directors of Operations, and more.
The Doherty WOW A Friend Foundation
Sometimes we all need a little help…The Doherty “WOW” a Friend Foundation” is a program that was established to help employees who find themselves in a time of crisis. We have helped employees after the effects of hurricanes and other natural disasters, severe medical problems and other personal difficulties. The Foundation is funded solely through employee contributions through payroll deductions as well as Owner Contributions and Fundraising activities.
