Demo

Host/Hostess

Denny's and Careers
Santa Maria, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/24/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/24/2026

Accountability

Reporting to the General Manager and Restaurant Manager, the Host/Hostess greets and seats guests in a friendly and courteous manner, receives payment, and assists other service personnel as needed to provide total guest satisfaction. Responds to and addresses guests concerns.

Key Business Areas

A "Key Business Area" is an area of performance in which the Host/Hostess must be successful to meet their accountabilities. Successful results in the Key Business Areas are supported by the following behaviors or actions:

  • Greets guests immediately in a friendly manner upon arrival and acknowledges at departure
  • Demonstrates a sense of urgency and meets service cycle timing standards
  • Seats guests at clean, dry tables utilizing proper seating rotation
  • Determines and provides for any special needs of guests
  • Maintains guest waiting list and adheres to proper seating order procedures
  • Describes promotions and suggestively sells while seating guests; takes initial beverage order
  • Attends to any other guest needs during the entire dining experience as warranted
  • Demonstrates safe cash handling procedures in accordance with policy and accurately completes cash, credit card, and discount transactions
  • Uses proper telephone etiquette
  • Enters and delivers "To Go" orders correctly
  • Addresses complaints promptly in a courteous manner, and notifies the supervisor of any issues
  • Assists service personnel in providing beverage orders and refills and clearing and setting tables
  • Willingly assists other team members without being asked
  • Maintains proper supply of clean menus
  • Lifts and carries supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of station and floor breakdowns
  • Possesses strong product and menu knowledge
  • Maintains foyer area of restaurant to be clean, organized and inviting to guests
  • Completes all required side-work, including deep cleaning assignments
  • Provides courteous service and is cordial to all team members and guests
  • Adheres to Denny's Brand Standards and internal policies and procedures


Essential Functions

  • Must have ability to raise a tray weighing up to 25 lbs.
  • Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, wipe, lift, and grasp
  • Must have sufficient mobility to move and operate in work area
  • Must be able to stand and walk during entire shift
  • Must be able hear well in a loud environment to respond to employee and guest needs
  • Must possess basic math skills (add, subtract, multiply and divide)
  • Must meet any state, county or municipal regulation pertaining to health risk concerns about food handling
  • Must be able to observe and differentiate between monetary denominations
  • Must be able to operate point of sale system
  • Must be able to work around potentially hazardous chemicals
  • Must be able to pass all required tests and training requirements for the position
  • Must be able to work flexible schedule, including holidays, nights and weekends
  • Must have excellent guest service skills
  • Must be dependable and able to learn basic tasks and follow instructions

Position Qualifications

  • Must have ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing
  • Must be able to work in a team environment
  • Meets Denny's uniform and grooming standards and maintains them throughout the shift
  • Must place a value on diversity and shows respect for others


This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or tasks which may be required to be performed in this position.

Employer may amend, change, or modify the responsibilities and duties of this position to meet business needs as necessary.

This job description does not constitute a contract for employment and may be changed at the discretion of the Employer with or without notice.

Salary.com Estimation for Host/Hostess in Santa Maria, CA
$34,186 to $41,291
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Denny's and Careers

  • Denny's and Careers Maplewood, MN
  • This job posting is for employment at an independently owned and operated franchisee of Denny’s. At Denny’s, we love feeding people. If you have a passion ... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • Denny's and Careers Spartanburg, SC
  • Our Servers are motivated, team oriented, friendly, dependable and driven to providing excellent guest service. A qualified candidate will greet and seat g... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • Denny's and Careers Hubbard, OH
  • Come join OUR Denny’s TEAM!! We are hiring Servers We are hiring Servers for All Shifts NO TIP SHARE Whether you are looking for a Career or just some extr... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • Denny's and Careers San Antonio, FL
  • Accountability: Reporting to the General Manager and Restaurant Manager, the Server greets, seats and services guests in a friendly and courteous manner, t... more
  • 13 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Host/Hostess jobs in the Santa Maria, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • IHOP San Luis, CA
  • As a Host/Hostess, you will have the opportunity to provide a memorable first impression to our guests by promptly, cheerfully and courteously welcoming th... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • Pacifica Host Hotels Morro Bay, CA
  • We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Hotel Assistant General Manager to oversee daily operations at our hospitality property. The ideal candidate will ... more
  • 7 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!