Barista

Union Station Chicago | Pret A Manger; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 21,025 - 29,945; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly Mystery Shopper bonus plan

Tips for good service

Paid Time Off

Free meals during shifts

Health, Dental and Vision Benefits

Child Bonding Leave

Training and development

Job summary

Pret A Manger at Union Station Chicago is seeking a passionate Barista to join our team. In this role, you’ll craft excellent drinks, train team members, and create genuine connections with our guests. You'll thrive in a fast-paced environment while upholding high standards of service.

We offer benefits like paid time off, health and dental coverage, a weekly Mystery Shopper bonus, and a friendly workplace atmosphere focused on growth.

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience as a Barista required.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, and lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Coach and train team members on Barista Prepared Drinks.
• Deliver drinks within the 60-second service standard.
• Create exceptional experiences for guests.

Skills

Proficiency in espresso-based drinks

Excellent communication skills

Team-oriented approach

Reliability and punctuality

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Barista

Pay: $18.50 per hour + Mystery Shopper Bonus + Tips

About the Company

We’re proud makers of delicious food, organic coffee and big ideas across 750+ shops in 20+ countries. Whether you’re making our guests’ days with the perfect latte or leading your team to success, roles in Pret shops come with huge opportunities for growth. Together, we’re doing the right thing and growing fast – it’s an exciting team to hop on board!

About the Role

Pret A Manger is looking for a passionate and skilled Barista to join our team. You’ll be the heart of our coffee experience, crafting consistently excellent drinks, creating genuine moments of connection with guests, and bringing the energy and warmth that defines Pret Buzz. This is more than a barista role: you’ll be a coach and standard-setter for your team, helping train and develop fellow team members on Pret's Barista Prepared Drinks program. If you love great coffee, fast-paced environments, and making people’s days a little better, we’d love to meet you.

Key Responsibilities

• Right Pret People: Barista Prepared Drinks Training — to coach and train Team Member Stars and Baristas-in-training on Barista Prepared Drinks and standards
• Deliver drinks within the 60-second service standard, communicating proactively when delays occur
• To liaise with management to ensure all Barista Prepared Drinks training is planned and carried out as appropriate
• To carry out coffee team briefs and attend relevant meetings and courses relating to Barista Prepared Drinks when appropriate
• To ensure all hot drinks training material is available and up to date
• To follow Pret’s dress code and be immaculately presented, wearing the correct uniform at all times
• Amazing Service: Creating Pret Buzz — to positively engage with guests and the team with eye contact and a smile
• To serve Barista Prepared Drinks to the 60-second standards, communicating to customers and the team when this is not possible
• To ‘wow’ customers with latte art
• Delicious Food & Drink: Excellent Barista Prepared Drinks Quality & Knowledge — to make all Barista Prepared Drinks to Pret standards
• Role model coffee knowledge and maintain understanding about Pret’s Barista Prepared Drinks and standards
• Well Loved Shop: Barista Prepared Drinks Counter Operation, Cleanliness & Maintenance — maintain equipment, Barista box, and daily/weekly checks to Pret standards
• View the Barista Prepared Drinks counter through a customer’s eyes and clean as you go
• Carry out log checks, thermometer calibration and dribble tests in line with Pret standards
• Manage waste levels of Barista Prepared Drinks ingredients
• Address stock variances and waste as required by your Manager
• Keep shelves restocked and looking picture perfect throughout the day

Growing Sales

• Maximizing Barista Prepared Drinks sales — have a weekly sales target and share this with the team
• Know your shop Barista Prepared Drinks sales versus total sales and the mix
• Recognize regular customers with appropriate volume of drinks via Joy of Pret

Required Experience

• Barista: 1 year (Required)
• Proficiency in espresso-based drinks
• A team-oriented approach, you respect and support the restaurant’s success
• Excellent communication skills
• A desire to create exceptional employee and guest experiences
• Reliability and punctuality
• NYC Food Handlers Card (Preferred)
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; lift up to 50 pounds; perform physical tasks and work in varying environments

Benefits

• Weekly Mystery Shopper bonus plan (Up to an extra $1.00 per hour)
• Tips when Good Service is Provided
• Paid Time Off
• Free breakfast and lunch when working; generous discounts when you’re not
• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits (Available for Full-Time Employees)
• Child Bonding Leave
• Pret Academy for training and development
• A friendly, fun, fast-paced environment with passionate teams
• Transit program, FSA and HSAs available
• Pet Insurance

We use eVerify to confirm U.S. Employment eligibility.