The following is a list of the top ten restaurant chains for millennials to work. We are focused on management positions, both inside the restaurants and in the corporate offices, rather than on service positions such as host or server. In creating this list, we are focusing on companies with a high level of corporate social responsibility (including concerns for sustainability, diversity, and community involvement), as well as companies that are good fits for millennials seeking management positions. This could mean restaurant chains with a lot of management trainee positions available to recent graduates, flexible working hours, or a desirable corporate culture.
While there are a lot of independently-owned restaurants and small chains that are great to work for, this list will focus solely on larger, national chains. We simply wouldn’t have the time to comb through the hundreds of thousands of restaurant companies in this country and we also want this list to be applicable to millennials all over the country- so it’s best we include only restaurants with locations in most states.
- Panera
Panera was ranked the most charitable restaurant chain in 2014, mostly for its effort in fighting food insecurity. For millennials hoping to get involved in a socially-responsible corporation, this is a great opportunity. In 2010, Panera launched Panera Cares, a chain of restaurants in areas with high levels of food insecurity. Patrons only pay what they are able to, which allows struggling citizens to still enjoy a sandwich or soup without breaking the bank. In 2011, USA Today called the program a “success”, thanks to several diners who actually pay more than the suggested prices for their meals in order to help subsidize the restaurant.
- Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Ranked #14 on Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work for list (and #1 among restaurants), Kimpton operates over 50 restaurant brands in the USA, Netherlands, and Caribbean. Headquartered in San Francisco, employees overwhelming agree that diversity, flexible work hours, and a “promote-from-within culture” are prominent within the company. Employees also receive numerous perks, including $50 per night stays at their luxury hotels and the ability to bring dogs to work.
- Jimmy John’s
Known as one of the most eco-friendly chains in the United States, Jimmy John’s sources nearly all the food for its 2,100+ locations from local farmers and suppliers. Besides sustainable food, Jimmy John’s is one of the most eco-friendly delivery restaurants, as nearly all of their deliveries are done on bicycle rather than car (in order to do this, most locations only allow for a two mile delivery radius- this is another positive, because the restaurant has a lot of room to grow as they continue to fill two-mile-radius circles across the country).
- Hal Smith Restaurant Group
This company operates 11 restaurants brands, including Louie’s and Upper Crust. The company has overwhelmingly positive reviews on Glassdoor.com; employees note that HSRG “puts a huge focus on the training of all employees.”
Salaries are also above market rates, according to current and former employees. Assistant store managers make approximately $45,000 per year plus benefits, while store managers can except an average of $74,000 annually.
- Chipotle
Chipotle is known for its commitment to sustainable food and its explosive growth over the last several years. Many argue that Chipotle actually helped invent the extremely popular “fast-casual” restaurant style. Its CEO Steve Ells is consistently recognized as one of the Top 50 CEOs in America according to GlassDoor.
Chipotle is also well-known for its promotion program, in which workers in service positions have a clear, actionable plan to advance into store and even corporate management positions.
- Starbucks
Starbucks is the second-most valuable restaurant chain in the United States, and is considered one of the most employee-friendly chains in the world. Not only do they provide education stipends to in-store employees, they also offer some of the highest entry-level salaries among restaurants on this list. A Staffing Manager Supervisor, one of Starbucks’ entry-level corporate management positions, pays an average of $58,181 plus benefits according to GlassDoor.
A store manager can expect to make about $50,000, while mid-level corporate management positions such as District Manager earn about $85,000 annually.
- Cheesecake Factory
Ranked the second-best restaurant company to work for by Fortune Magazine (behind the aforementioned Kimpton), the Cheesecake Factory offers a number of professional growth opportunities for young employees. Full-time salaried employees receive 320 hours of paid professional development per year. These training hours could be used to learn management techniques and strategies from members of upper management or to learn how to cook from one of the company’s top chefs.
Corporate employees also get to enjoy complimentary massages, car washes, and dry cleaning while at work.
- Red Mango
This frozen yogurt chain is known for its fresh and organic ingredients. Any millennial interested in a healthy lifestyle can find a match with Red Mango, based out of McKinney, Texas. But its product isn’t just healthy, it’s also delicious. Zagat rated Red Mango America’s number one smoothie and frozen yogurt chain in 2011.
While in-store management positions pay the lowest of any restaurant on this list, there is huge opportunity within the corporate office. Red Mango is owned by BRIX Holdings, which also operates other health-oriented brands such as Smoothie Factory and Souper Salad. New employees can expect to gain exposure to all five of BRIX’s brands and gain invaluable knowledge from several of the nation’s most successful healthy restaurant concepts.
- Shake Shack
One of America’s fastest-growing food brands, Shake Shack went public in 2015 and is now valued at $1.2 billion. Their food is extremely high-quality; their patties are made with 100% Angus beef and contain no hormones or antibiotics. The burger chain’s 134 locations are also furnished with recycled materials. Tables and chairs are made from recycled wood, and the origin of all the materials used in the restaurant are labeled.
Known as the fastest-growing, most eco-friendly, and most sustainable fast-casual restaurant in America is sure to make any millennial proud. Plus, the restaurant is adding new locations every week, so there is huge room to grow with the company.
- Jack in the Box
Considered one of the most well-managed restaurants in the US after its resurrection following a 1993 E. Coli outbreak, Jack in the Box is also known for its high level of diversity. The company’s former CEO, Linda Lang, made diversity and inclusion a priority within the chain’s corporate headquarters. While benefits are typically lacking within the franchised restaurants, corporate employees and managers at company-owned locations enjoy several benefits. This includes free meals, full medical and dental coverage, and generous vacation policies.
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