Are you getting ready for an interview at Smashburger and getting nervous? Are you wondering what kinds of questions they might ask you and how to best answer them?
We totally get it—interviews can be nerve-wracking. But here’s the good news: if you prepare well, you can turn your nerves into confidence and ace your interview.
In this comprehensive guide, we’re pulling back the curtain on the most frequently asked Smashburger interview questions.
We have answers that will make an impression whether you want to be on the crew or be in charge.
Feel good about being ready to talk about your skills and interests with the person interviewing you after reading this blog post. You’ve got this!.
Before you step into that interview room, make sure you’re armed with knowledge about Smashburger itself.
That you’re not just there for the job; you want to work for Smashburger because you believe in what they stand for.
With over 300 locations across the United States, Smashburger is one of the hottest better-burger chains around. Landing a job at Smashburger offers opportunities for growth, discount perks, and a fun fast-paced work environment. However, competition is fierce for Smashburger jobs.
Preparing for the Smashburger interview process will help set you apart. In this complete guide we dive into the top 15 Smashburger interview questions and expert tips to nail your responses. Let’s smash that interview!
Overview of Smashburger
Founded in 2007 in Denver, Colorado, Smashburger aimed to reinvent classic American burgers with higher quality ingredients and signature smashing technique. The made-to-order burgers are smashed on a hot buttered grill to sear in the juices and flavors.
With its focus on fresh, customized burgers, Smashburger quickly expanded across 36 states Key facts
- 300+ locations and counting
- Menu includes burgers, chicken, salads, sandwiches, sides and shakes
- Attracts over 2.5 million weekly customers
- Established employee training program called SmashU
- Ranked among America’s fastest growing restaurant chains
The exciting growth and strong training culture make Smashburger a dynamic place to build your hospitality career.
Smashburger Interview Process
The Smashburger hiring process typically follows these key steps:
- Complete online application with work availability.
- Quick 10-15 minute phone screening with basic questions.
- 1-2 in-person interviews at the Smashburger location.
- Food safety & preparation test.
- Reference and background checks.
- Manager extends final offer.
In-person interviews focus on availability, customer service skills and attitude. Coming prepared can help you wow the manager and land the job.
15 Common Smashburger Interview Questions
Here are examples of Smashburger interview questions with tips to nail your responses:
1. Why do you want to work at Smashburger?
Hiring managers want to see you have genuine interest and know what sets their brand apart. Mention things like:
-
You’re excited by Smashburger’s focus on high quality, fresh ingredients.
-
You’ve heard great things about their lively work culture and training programs.
-
You’re drawn to the opportunity to grow from team member into leadership positions down the road.
-
You’re a burger lover who wants to work somewhere you’re truly passionate about the food.
2. What experience do you have in the food or hospitality industry?
Highlight any previous jobs in restaurants, hotels, retail, etc. Discuss responsibilities that translate well to this role like:
- Providing excellent customer service
- Multitasking and working quickly in a busy environment
- Following food safety standards
- Counting cash register transactions
- Cleaning kitchen areas thoroughly
If you lack experience, focus on eagerness to learn and people skills.
3. How do you handle a dissatisfied or rude customer?
Share examples that demonstrate patience, empathy and conflict resolution skills. For instance:
“First, I listen calmly to their concerns without getting defensive. I then apologize for their dissatisfaction and see how I can make things right, whether through a refund, coupon or remaking their order. If the situation escalates further, I would get a supervisor or manager involved to help peacefully resolve the issue.”
4. What qualities make a great team member?
Good traits to mention include:
- Reliability – shows up on time ready to work.
- Communication skills – interacts positively with co-workers.
- Hard working – pitches in eagerly wherever extra help is needed.
- Adaptable – remains flexible and upbeat in a fast-paced environment.
- Enjoys helping others – willing to assist team members or customers.
5. How would you upsell menu items to a customer?
Share tactics for politely suggesting add-ons or more profitable items. You might say:
“After taking their burger order, I would mention our freshly made milkshakes and ask if they’d like one for dessert. If they ordered a sandwich, I’d suggest pairing it with our seasoned fries or onion rings for a complete meal.”
Emphasize making suggestions in a friendly casual manner, not a pushy sales pitch.
6. A customer orders a meal and then changes their mind after you’ve rung it up. What do you do?
Stress that your priority is making customers happy. You would:
- Thank them for letting you know about the change of mind.
- Apologize for any inconvenience.
- Quickly adjust or void the order to get them the meal they want.
- Offer any coupons or free extras as an apology for the mix-up.
- Notify a manager if unable to resolve independently.
7. How do you prioritize tasks when things get busy?
Share how you stay organized and focused when things get hectic:
- Remain calm under pressure.
- Communicate with team to delegate tasks.
- Determine most urgent tasks that require immediate attention.
- Multitask efficiently without sacrificing quality.
- Ask manager if unsure which tasks should take priority.
8. How do you keep your work area clean and sanitized?
Emphasize following all safety protocols for cleanliness including:
- Wiping down stations frequently
- Sanitizing utensils properly
- Washing hands regularly
- Changing gloves between tasks
- Rotating out expired ingredients
- Keeping food storage areas organized
9. Are you available to work weekends, nights and holidays?
Since Smashburger operates extended hours, they expect employees to have very open availability. Confirm that you can work a flexible schedule and mention any limitations upfront, like:
“Yes, I’m available on nights, weekends and holidays with no restrictions. I understand Smashburger’s busy schedule and can work whenever needed.”
10. What’s your process for preparing raw ingredients like produce?
Show you understand proper food handling:
- Inspect items and discard any that are bruised or damaged.
- Wash thoroughly under cool running water.
- Cut, assemble and store items quickly to avoid spoilage.
- Ensure all work surfaces and tools are cleaned and sanitized first.
11. How long do you plan on working at Smashburger if hired?
While turnover is high in restaurants, managers want to see commitment:
“If hired, I would see myself working at Smashburger for at least 2 years. I’m looking to grow my skills in the restaurant industry, and I know Smashburger offers great training opportunities to help me advance and build a career.”
12. Describe a time you gave excellent customer service
Share a story that shows patience, empathy and problem solving abilities. For example:
“Once a customer called minutes before closing to order a complex takeout meal for their son’s birthday. Since we were about to close, I wanted to simply refuse the order, but instead I took a deep breath and went above and beyond. I politely took their huge order, packaged it nicely with a birthday balloon, and had it ready right on time, making their son’s day. The grateful customer called my manager to compliment my service.”
13. Why do you want to be a team member instead of a manager?
If you’re applying for an entry-level role, position yourself as eager to learn the ins-and-outs of restaurant work:
“While management does interest me down the line, I’m focused right now on developing my customer service, food prep and operations skills in an entry-level role. I want to gain valuable hands-on experience at Smashburger before moving into any management positions.”
14. How do you stay motivated on slow work days?
Share examples of taking initiative when things are slower:
- Offering to help prep ingredients for upcoming shifts.
- Cleaning and organizing inventory areas.
- Taking time to learn more about menu options that interest you.
- Cross-training into other stations like the cash register.
15. Do you have any questions for me?
Always bring 2-3 thoughtful questions that show your engagement. You can inquire about:
- New menu items or promotions in the works.
- What the manager enjoys most about working there.
- Growth and advancement opportunities within the company.
- The training program for new hires.
- The team culture and work environment.
Tips to Ace Your Smashburger Interview
With preparation, you can feel confident tackling the Smashburger interview:
Research the company – Study the website and your local menus. Know their vision and offerings.
Practice commonly asked questions – Rehearse talking points that highlight your strongest qualifications.
Prepare examples of your skills – Think of stories that showcase you as a strong team player, problem solver and customer service provider.
Bring resume copies and references – Make it easy for the
Can you give an example of a time when you had to multitask and balance multiple responsibilities effectively?
In the hustle and bustle of a Smashburger restaurant, juggling tasks is the name of the game.
The purpose of this question from the interviewer is to see how well you can handle many tasks and priorities at once and still get good results.
Here’s a framework:
- Recognize how hard it is to handle many tasks at once and show that you know why this skill is important for the job.
- Tell us about a time when you successfully balanced many responsibilities and reached your goals. Describe the different things that needed your attention and how you decided which ones were most important.
- Write down the most important things you did, like making to-do lists, not putting things off, delegating tasks when you could, and talking to other people.
- Finish by talking about the results and outcomes of your work to show how effective you were.
For example, you could say:
“As a server at a busy restaurant, I often have to deal with several tables at once that have different needs while taking orders, serving food, fixing problems, and taking payments.” It can be challenging to manage it all, but I’ve developed effective techniques to keep everything running smoothly. I put the needs of each table in order of importance, organize my thoughts on tasks by how important they are, let my coworkers know if I’m behind, and try to avoid wasting time and motion as much as possible. These strategies have helped me give great service to all of my tables and get good feedback from managers and customers. ”.
Can you tell me about a time when you had to adjust to changes or adapt to a new work environment or team?
Now, this isn’t just about change for the sake of change.
This is about how strong you are and how well you can handle changes in the fast food world.
Let’s get one thing straight: the fast food arena? It’s like a roller coaster—thrilling and unpredictable.
Smashburger, on the other hand, wants people who can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride while the food is being served.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to showcase your adaptability and resilience. Please describe a time when change came and you didn’t just sit there; you danced in the wind.
Describe your good mood, your ability to solve problems quickly, and your amazing capacity to learn and grow no matter what comes your way.
Emphasize how you kept your cool and maintained top-notch work quality, even when things got a little topsy-turvy.
Remember, it’s all about proving that you can thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. So, share your story, and show them that you’re not just ready for change—you’re ready to rock it.
As an example, you could say:
“At my last job, the business went through a major reorganization and growth, which caused a lot of changes in how things were run.” My role and responsibilities evolved, and I was working with an entirely new team. As much change as this could easily cause stress and poor performance, I saw it as a chance to learn and improve my skills. I asked a lot of questions, went out of my way to get to know my new team members and understand their needs, and always looked for ways to solve problems. It was hard at first, but the experience made me stronger in my ability to deal with change and work well with others to reach my goals. I can bring this same positive attitude and adaptability to meeting the evolving demands at Smashburger. ”.
Smashburger Founder Tom Ryan Teaches Us How to Make A Smashburger
FAQ
How to pass a fast food interview?
Why should we hire you in a restaurant?
