Guest Ambassador

Starbird; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Starbird Chicken in Palo Alto is seeking a Guest Ambassador to create a warm dining experience from entry to departure. You will engage guests, explain the menu, upsell sides, and help maintain front-of-house flow and cleanliness.

This is a tipped hourly position in California; the full base wage is paid regardless of tips. The role requires reliable attendance, strong English communication, basic math, and a customer-focused mindset with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Warm, guest-focused demeanor.
• Strong English communication.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Availability for morning/evening shifts; weekends required.
• Cash handling and basic math skills.
• Food Handler's Card: required within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests and establish a welcoming tone from first contact.
• Answer menu questions and recommend items based on preferences.
• Proactively upsell sides, beverages, and upgrades.
• Deliver orders accurately to tables and confirm at delivery.
• Maintain a clean, organized dining room and front-of-house area.
• Handle guest concerns professionally and escalate when needed.

Skills

Guest service

English communication

Cash handling

Teamwork

Job description

Description

Who We Are:

At Starbird Chicken, we’re redefining what fast casual food can be — serving fresh, crave-worthy food in a welcoming, community-driven environment. We believe in bold flavors, genuine hospitality, innovation, and doing right by our people and guests. We are a united team: we are fast-thinking, fast-moving, and hard-working, and at the end of each day, we celebrate our wins together!

Your Role:

The Guest Ambassador is the face of Starbird Chicken. This role is responsible for creating a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience for every guest from the moment they walk through the door until they leave. The Guest Ambassador serves as the primary guest-facing presence in the dining room, proactively engaging with guests, explaining menu items, suggesting additional sides, managing cleanliness and front-of-house flow, and serving as a first-response resource for guest needs or concerns. This position prepares individuals for future management roles, if interested.

This is a tipped position. In accordance with California law, the full hourly wage is paid regardless of tips received. Tips are earned in addition to the base hourly rate.

Who You Are:

• Warm & Guest-Focused - you genuinely enjoy people and create memorable guest experiences through authentic hospitality and positive energy
• Energetic & Positive - you bring enthusiasm to every shift and maintain a welcoming, upbeat attitude — even during busy rush periods.
• Proactive & Attentive - you notice the little things before others do, anticipate guest needs, and take initiative without being asked
• Professional & Composed - you stay calm under pressure, communicate respectfully, and handle guest concerns with maturity and confidence.
• Team-Oriented - you thrive in collaborative environments, support your teammates willingly, and contribute to a strong, inclusive culture.
• Growth-Minded - you welcome coaching and feedback, continuously look for ways to improve, and are excited about future leadership opportunities.
• Reliable & Accountable - you show up consistently, take pride in your work, and can be counted on to uphold Starbird’s standards every shift.

What You’ll Do:

Guest Interaction & Hospitality

• Understanding your guest and greeting them with a genuine, energetic “Welcome In” upon entry, establishing a welcoming tone from the first moment of contact
• Engage guests in a friendly and knowledgeable manner, answering menu questions and making tailored recommendations based on preferences
• Proactively upsell additional menu items, specials, favorite menu sides, beverages, sauces, or upgrades to enhance the guest’s order and experience
• Deliver food to guests at their tables accurately and promptly; confirm order correctness at the time of delivery
• Thank every guest for coming to Starbird and offer a memorable goodbye
• Perform regular table touches throughout each shift to check on guest satisfaction, refill drinks, clear trays, and address any needs before guests have to ask
• Serve as the first point of contact for guest complaints or concerns; listen actively, empathize, and resolve issues promptly and professionally within established guidelines
• Escalate unresolved guest issues to the Supervisor or General Manager as appropriate
• Maintain a positive, hospitable demeanor at all times, including during high-volume periods

Dining Room & Facility Maintenance

• Monitor and maintain a clean, organized, and visually appealing dining room throughout the entire shift, picking optimal times to clean while guests are not present
• Clear and sanitize tables promptly after guests depart; reset seating areas to a guest-ready standard
• Inspect and clean restrooms on a regular schedule throughout the shift; restock supplies (paper products, soap) proactively
• Sweep and spot-clean floors in the dining room and lobby as needed, and away from guests
• Ensure lobby, entrance area, and all guest-facing surfaces are clean, uncluttered, and well-maintained
• Report any maintenance issues, equipment malfunctions, or safety hazards to management immediately

Cash Handling & Operational Support

• Assist guests at the register as needed; process transactions accurately and provide correct change
• Follow all cash handling procedures in accordance with Starbird policy
• Support team members across back-of-house functions following food service safety protocols during peak periods as directed by the Shift Leader
• Participate in opening and closing duties as assigned
• Complete side work and daily cleaning checklists to standard before the end of each shift

Team & Culture

• Represent Starbird’s brand values and hospitality standards in every guest and team interaction
• Participate actively in training programs, team meetings, and coaching sessions
• Accept and apply feedback from managers and team leads with a growth mindset
• Support a positive, inclusive, and high-energy team environment

*The listed duties are representative of the work performed in this role. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

• Minimum age: 16 years or older
• Demonstrated ability to engage warmly and professionally with the public in a fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal communication skills in English; ability to listen actively and respond clearly
• Reliable attendance and punctuality; ability to adhere to a consistent schedule
• Availability for morning and evening shifts; weekend availability is required
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision
• Basic math skills and the ability to handle cash accurately
• Prior experience in a guest-facing hospitality, retail, or food service role
• Familiarity with POS systems or cash register operation
• Food Handler's Card: Required by California law within 30 days of hire. Starbird covers the cost and pays your regular wage while you complete it.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role.

• Must be able to stand and walk for the duration of a shift (typically 4–8 hours) on hard floors
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, and grasping are required
• Must be able to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs; place items on high and low shelves in service areas, storerooms, and walk‑in coolers
• Must have sufficient mobility to move through and operate within confined work areas
• Must be able to tolerate temperature variations, including kitchen heat and refrigerated storage areas
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to monitor the dining room, communicate with guests, and respond to operational needs