Evening Host/Hostess

Welcome to Haley & Bear, a restaurant and bar concept inspired by the heartwarming friendship between a child and their loyal canine companion. Drawing from beloved literary classics like Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows, Haley & Bear radiates charm and nostalgia, echoing the deep bond shared between Haley and her beloved dog, Bear.

Join our team as a Breakfast Host

Job Summary

The Host will serve as the first point of contact for our guests. As a key member of the front-of-house team, you will greet guests with a positive attitude, manage reservations and waitlists, and ensure smooth seating flow to enhance the overall dining experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Greet and welcome guests promptly and courteously upon arrival

- Manage reservations and waitlists using the restaurant’s system (e.g., OpenTable, Resy, etc.)

- Coordinate seating assignments with servers to balance table sections

- Escort guests to their tables and present menus

- Answer phone calls and respond to guest inquiries in a friendly, professional manner

- Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the host/hostess stand, entrance area, and lobby

- Assist with opening and closing duties, including setting up and organizing the front area

- Follow food safety and hygiene standards at all times

- Communicate effectively with servers, bussers, and kitchen staff

- Monitor guest satisfaction and alert management to any issues or special requests

- Support team members with light bussing or service duties during peak hours as needed

- Provide a positive and professional demeanor with guests and coworkers at all times

- Ability to work well with a diverse group of people

Additional Duties

- Participate in ongoing education and training

- Attend team/department meetings

- Other duties as assigned

Essential Behavior Requirements

- Customer Service: Displays a professional sense of urgency when communicating and interacting with customers, coworkers and the public in a way that exceeds the customer’s wants and needs. Identifies opportunities to improve and deliver additional value to customer’s experience by presenting creative solutions and innovative ideas.

- Communication: Actively listens to customers, coworkers and the public (viewing the situation from the customer’s perspective) and works together to solve the problem through effective communication.

- Problem Solving: Ability to recognize and define problems; analyze relevant information; encourage alternative solutions and plans to resolve situations; seeks additional assistance when needed.

- Quality: Work “product or service” is free of errors and exceeds customer expectations.

Minimum Qualifications

- Education or Experience- No high school diploma required; one month related hospitality experience and/or training.

- Language Skills- Must have developed language skills to the point to be able to: read and comprehend instructions, safety rules, and memos. Speak clearly, distinctly and with confidence using appropriate pauses, emphasis and punctuation.

- Mathematical Skills- Requires mathematical development sufficient to be able to: add, subtract, multiply and divide all units of measure (money, weight, volume, etc.).

- Reasoning Ability- Must have developed reasoning skills to be able to: apply common sense and understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to professionally deal with problems in standardized situations.

- Valid Driver’s License – Must be able to travel to and from function sites. Must have a valid NH driver’s license and a favorable driving record to operate company vehicle.

Physical Requirements

- Non-slip shoes are recommended

- Ability to pass pre-employment drug test, background check and driver record check

- Requires significant walking, sitting and standing to a significant degree, reaching, handling, climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing and smelling

- Lifting up to 100 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying or transporting of food, objects or equipment weighing up to 75 lbs. May include lifting or moving: heavy dinner or glassware trays, serving equipment, etc.

- Outside environmental conditions such as wind, rain, cold, snow, extreme heat, etc.

- Inside environmental conditions protected from weather conditions. Exposure to extremes of exterior temperature changes and noise:

- Temperature Changes: Variations in temperature, which are sufficiently high or low to cause marked bodily discomfort including exterior cold, heat, humid and wet conditions

- Noise: Sufficient noise such as music, either constant or intermittent, to cause marked distraction or possible injury to the sense of hearing if endured day after day