careers

At Eat'n Park we want to hire the best and brightest individuals to help us grow and achieve continued success. We also want people who like to be on a first name basis with our CEO and just about everyone else from the top down.

All of our team members are given growth opportunities for success. It doesn't matter where you start. Our Senior Vice President of Operations, Mercy Senchur, is just one example. She started her career as a server and over the next 25 years, she moved up through management to ultimately lead the Eat'n Park brand as our Chief Operating Officer.

Mercy's story isn't unique. So many of our team members have risen through our ranks. Here are just a few other examples: 

“I started my career at Eat’n Park Hospitality Group in 2006 as a dishwasher at the Shaler Eat'n Park, then I transitioned into a cook and finally a Certified Shift Supervisor.  I really enjoyed working for the company and being constantly challenged. That's when I decided to go into management where I worked as an assistant manager two different locations.  Three years ago, I transitioned to the Distribution Center as an administrative assistant.  I’m now the D.C. Operations Specialist and Cookie Factory Supervisor.  Each day is different, and no day presents the same challenges as the prior. I have always taken pride in my job and doing it well, no matter where I’m at.  Knowing that people can depend on me and value my efforts and opinions is what keeps me going each and every day.”

- Nick P., Distribution Center Operations Specialist & Cookie Factory Supervisor

“I was hired at the McKnight Road Eat'n Park in 2009 as a greeter when I was 16 years old. I was looking for a way to fill evening hours while my friends were busy with sports (I’m not very athletic!) and to start making steady money. But, I was hooked on Eat’n Park! I stayed at the restaurant throughout high school and college and then was hired as a Team Smiley intern. When I graduated in 2015, the stars aligned and I was hired as a Guest Relations Assistant at the Corporate Support Center! It was such a seamless transition since there were so many familiar faces welcoming me to my new role. I am currently transitioning into my next chapter with our Parkhurst Dining division as a Proposal and Marketing Coordinator! And, I’m the only person my age that I know who can say I’ve worked for the same company for 8 years- talk about bragging rights!”

- Laine C., Proposal and Marketing Coordinator

"Eat'n Park was my first job at age 16. I chose Eat'n Park because my mom works for the company and they were very flexible with my schedule. I started in Salad Bar and was able to cross train in the kitchen. After 15 years as an hourly team member, I decided to go into management. It was a great decision for me. I am now starting my 20th year with Eat'n Park."

- Mandy M., Manager at the South Hills Village Eat'n Park

Every member of the Eat'n Park family matters, whether you're an hourly, management, or Corporate Support Center team member.

Where do you see yourself fitting in?

Click here to find more information on:

• Hourly positions at your local Eat'n Park
• Joining our management team
• Internships
• Positions at our Corporate Support Center

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Eat'n Park Hospitality Group is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other employment decisions ar made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or sexual orientation. Employment opportunities are and shall be open to all qualified applicants solely on the basis of their experience, aptitudes, and their abilities. Advancement is and shall be based entirely on the individual's achievement, performance, ability, attitude and potential for promotion.

Life Work Balance

Meshell, a General Manager, addresses the camera from the lobby of an Eat'n Park restaurant.

"Hi! My name is Meshell Brannan, and I've been with Eat'n Park for fifteen years. One of the main things that drew me to Eat'n Park for my management career is the one weekend off every four weeks. No other restaurant i interviewed with could give me that guarantee. The schedule is done to help balance the shifts between the managers, and given weeks in advance, so we can plan things in our personal lives."

Julius, another General Manager, addresses the camera.

"As a general manager, my biggest responsibility is to maintain schedule flexibility so that my team members and managers can get the days off that they need take care of themselves and their families. We also have our team members fill out surveys to gauge their level of satisfaction with their jobs. We spend a great deal time going over the results and taking action based on the feedback we receive from our team members."

Meshell appears again.

"Although it is true that this isn't a Monday through Friday daylight position, Eat'n Park strives to make sure that their managers and team members enjoy their time with their families with a successful work-life balance. Last year I was able to see my daughter cheer at every football game, and I haven't missed a single band concert of my son's. That's what's most important to me, and it means a lot that Eat'n Park makes it possible to build those things into my schedule. I'm thankful to work a company that allows me to be there for them and still have a successful career."

The Eat'n Park logo appears as the Place for Smiles jingle closes out the video.

Corporate Careers

Eat'n Park Hospitality Group Corporate Support Center is the home base for all of Eat'n Park Hospitality Group's brands.

• Parkhurst Dining
• The Porch
• Hello Bistro
• Smileycookie.com

Our office environment is one that is like no other. We are located in the Waterfront shopping mall a few miles outside of Pittsburgh. We offer free parking, an onsite gym, riverfront deck, full kitchen, team engagement events such as monthly birthday celebrations, Kennywood day and office parties, as well as our full benefits package. Benefits include:

• Medical/Dental/Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Schedule
• Long Term Disability
• Community Activities and Volunteerism
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Vacation/Paid Time Off
• Flexible Spending Account
• Service Awards
• Salary Continuance
• 401K Plan
• Meal Discounts
• Prescription Plan
• Access to Training Programs  

The best thing is that you get to tell folks that you work for Eat'n Park Hospitality Group, one of the most well-respected organizations in Pittsburgh.

The departments at the CSC include:

• IT
• Accounting
• Payroll
• Benefits
• Real Estate
• Facilities and Maintenance
• Marketing
• Human Resources

To see what opportunities are available at our Corporate Support Center.

Management Careers

Eat’n Park needs individuals who know how to smile and have fun. Since there’s lots of hard work in the hospitality business, we try to enjoy ourselves while doing it! If you have a passion for teamwork and being involved with the community, then you have what it takes to be successful at Eat’n Park. Just take it from our managment team...

"I started at 15 years old as a greeter, and have moved my way up into management.  There are so many opportunities and incentives within the company for both hourly employees and managers. It's nice to work for a company that truly cares about people!"

- Sarah H., Natrona Heights Eat'n Park (16 years of service)

"Eat'n Park is committed to providing advancement opportunities through continuous training, personal development classes, management seminars and tuition reimbursement. I was able to move from the training program to manager in just over a year!"

- Deborah B., Pittsburgh Mills Eat'n Park (2 years of service)

In order to join our management team you need to have either:

• 1 year of restaurant or hospitality experience; restaurant management experience preferred.

Once you have completed your training, the sky is the limit with how far you can go.

We take training and people very seriously. Everyone has a unique management training experience. Development does not stop after the management training program. We have ongoing training classes designed for every level of management,as well as a mapping plan to take you from Assistant Manager to Manager, and Manager to General Manager. Ninety-nine percent of our General Managers are promoted within.

Management Benefits

DISCOUNTS:

• 20% discount on any food purchase at our brands: Eat'n Park, Hello Bistro, The Porch, and Parkhurst Dining
• Competitive National Discount Program

FREE FOOD:

• One free meal while working
• Free family meel once a month

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT:

• Access to continuous development with our internal training platform Smile Universe
• Rapid career advancement opportunities
• 99% of our General Managers are promoted internally

BENEFITS:

• Eligibility for 401k, vision, dental, and medical plans
• Bonus eligibilty 
• Paid Time Off & Salary Continuance
• Life Insurance with no waiting period to join our team.
• Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
• Tenure Recognition
• Community Activities and Volunteerism

If you are interested in a career in management, please apply here.

Hourly Careers

Whether you have previous restaurant experience or not, as long as you can smile and have fun, we can teach you the rest!

We want our team members to be happy and successful. We support this goal by offering great training, flexible schedules, and development opportunities for the following positions: server, greeter, buffet person, preparation person, cook, baker, dishwasher, or certified shift supervisor.

But don't take it from us. Here's what our team members have to say...

"I love working at Eat'n Park because of my fellow co-workers helping me out and being so understanding when I first started. My favorite part of being a greeter is getting to create smiles - on customers, and on cookies!"

- Savannah, Greeter at the Austintown Eat'n Park (6 months of service)

"My management team has always been flexible with my schedule while I was raising my children. Then, when my mother was bedridden and living in another state, my managers never hesitated to give me time off for weeks and months at a time to care for her. Now, I'm a grandmother of 2 (and soon to be 4!). They continue to work around my schedule while I take care of my grandbabies. I'm thankful for Eat'n Park's family values and loyalty." 

- Ellen, Greeter, Server, Trainer, and Shift Supervisor at the McKnight Road Eat'n Park (18 years of service)

"I enjoy the flexible hours and having off whenever I have something important I need to attend. I also get to work with my grandma, aunt, and brother. And the rest of my co-workers are nice, wonderful people, too! To be honest, I couldn't be happier working with this group of outstanding individuals. Eat'n Park is awesome!"

- Mitchel, Cook, Salad Bar, and Buffet Person at the Butler (Clearview) Eat'n Park (5 years of service)

Here are just a few more reasons to join the team at Eat'n Park...

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Regardless of your position, we offer our team members a competitive benefits package that is based upon minimum hourly requirements.

These benefits include:

• Flexible Schedule
• Paid Time Off
• Medical/Dental/Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401K Plan
• Meal Discounts
• Short Term Disability
• Service Awards
• Community Activities and Volunteerism

Additionally, team members are offered the opportunity to advance their careers with Eat’n Park by entering our management training program. In fact, over 50% of our management team began their careers as hourly team members.

We always have room for another smiling face. Click here to apply online. Visit our locations page to find the Eat'n Park nearest you.

Team Smiley Internships

Looking for a sweet internship?  Have an appetite for adventure?  Do you love Eat’n Park? 

If you answered yes to these three questions, you may be interested in joining Team Smiley!  As a part of an elite group of marketing interns, you’ll represent a leading restaurant chain and work with the public in a high-profile role. It’s a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, both in the field and in the office.  Team Smiley interns are the driving force behind Eat’n Park’s mobile marketing program and operate and maintain Smiley’s Cookie Cruiser – plus they have fun while doing it!  Our intern team spreads goodwill (and Smiley Cookies!) all summer long at community and family events throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.  While in the office, interns work hand-in-hand with the marketing department to brainstorm and develop new projects, execute promotions, and create smiles for guests and team members.

Check out the career paths of just a few of our many Team Smiley alumni:

"This experience helped define my career goals! Getting to represent the brand with my team, work hands-on at events, and manage social media campaigns all prepared me for my career post-grad.” - Rylee H., Team Smiley 2023

“Team Smiley taught me how to make decisions on my feet, make strategic choices, measure results, and that having fun should be part of every role!” - Laine D., Team Smiley 2014

“I took away very tangible skills for successfully building and maintaining trust with peers and fostering collaboration in team settings – which is a critical part of my daily work today.” - Sarah H., Team Smiley 2009

Learn more about this exciting opportunity from Team Smiley themselves:

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What Makes Eat'n Park Special

There’s a reason that we’ve been in business for over 70 years: team members who are passionate about delivering a fantastic experience for every guest, every day.  We recognize that our team members make us who we are, so we strive to support them and their communities in any way we can.

Below are some of the ways that we stand out from the crowd.

Tailored Training Programs

Everyone is unique and every job demands different skills.  That’s why you won’t find a one-size-fits-all training program at Eat’n Park. Our training programs are customized to meet our team members’ needs as they advance through our organization.  Whether you are an hourly or a salaried team member, your training is individualized based on your education and work experience.  We offer over 30 different classes, including but not limited to:

• First Aid/CPR/AED
• ServSafe®
• Valuing Diversity
• Interviewing Skills
• Time Management  

Bill Moore (left), our Director of Safety and Security, teaching a class to team members.

We believe that we offer a quality of training that is above the crowd. Training Magazine thought so too! In 2008, they ranked us among the country’s Top 125 training companies. 

Team Member Benefits

At Eat’n Park, we pride ourselves on taking care of our team members. In fact, in 2010, the American Business Ethics Award Program (ABEA) recognized Eat’n Park as a national award winner for our commitment to our team members and our local communities.

Depending on your role at Eat'n Park, you may be eligible for benefits such as:

• Scholarships and Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• Flexible Scheduling
• 401K Plan
• Health/Life/Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Volunteer & Community Activity Programs
• Meal Discounts
• Extensive Training Opportunities
• One weekend off per month for restaurant managers

Click here to see benefits available for hourly, management or corporate support center team members.

Sustainability Initiatives

We are a leader in the family dining industry when it comes to sustainability. Company-wide programs aim to reduce our environmental impact through lowered energy usage, decreased waste, and local sourcing.

In fact, the introduction of our FarmSource program in 2002 pioneered the creation of the infrastructure needed to get local products into the hands of our suppliers and onto the plates of our guests. Through FarmSource, we offer fresh fruits, produce, meats, and dairy products that are produced within a 150-mile radius of our restaurants.

Jamie Moore (left), our Director of Sourcing and Sustainability, visits Dan Yarnick (right) of Yarnick's Farm in Indiana, PA. Yarnick's Farm supplies Eat’n Park Restaurants with fresh tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and yellow squash.

Inside our restaurants, small steps have a big impact. 100% of our trans-fat-free fryer oil is recycled into bio-diesel fuel. We’ve eliminated placemats in our restaurants to preserve trees and reduce landfill space.   We use recycled raw materials during restaurant construction and remodeling.  And in 2010, we made our biggest move yet: We opened the first LEED-built restaurant in the city of Pittsburgh.  This Eat’n Park location is packed to the gills with features that improve our energy efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint.  The restaurant even generates some of its own power through a 40-foot wind turbine on the roof.  Interested? Read more about this innovative restaurant here.

Community Involvement

Community involvement is woven into the fabric of the Eat’n Park culture. We're more than just a business; we're a neighbor. And as a neighbor, we're dedicated to doing our best to make the communities we serve as strong and vital as possible.  Every year, we donate five percent of our pre-tax earnings to local charitable organizations.   Working with community partners, we’re able to leverage our resources to raise funds for important causes. Perhaps our best-known program is our annual Caring for Kids campaign, which has raised over $10 million for local children’s hospitals over the past 30+ years. 

In fact, in 2011, we received the national Restaurant Neighbor Award from the National Restaurant Association for our fundraising efforts through Caring for Kids.  Our team members have poured their hearts into this campaign, and to be selected from all of the restaurants in the country was truly an honor.

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For more information on how we get involved with our communities, click here.

Volunteerism

We don’t just make financial donations; sometimes, the gift of time is even more powerful. Our team members annually donate more than 40,000 hours of their time to causes close their hearts. We support these team members in their efforts with a company-wide volunteer program that enables team members to make time for this important work, and recognizes them for their service.  Thanks to the dedication of our team members, our volunteer program has been recognized by the national Points of Light Foundation, and we’ve been a recipient of the Corporate Partner of the Year award from Pittsburgh Cares.

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Every year, we also like to recognize team members who have gone above and beyond in their community by presenting our Volunteer of the Year award. From over 1,000 dedicated volunteers, we pick one winner who receives a donation on behalf of the company towards the charity of their choice. 

Pictured above: Kayla Frattini, our 2019 Volunteer of the Year Winner.

2019 Volunteer of the Year finalists:

• Aubriana Henry (Indiana Eat’n Park)
• Joel Grimm (Clarion Eat’n Park)
• Autumn Grimm (Clarion Eat’n Park)
• Michael Riek (Somerset Eat’n Park)
• Heather Hibala (Corporate Support Center)
• Regina Diana (Avalon Eat’n Park) 
• Magail Heaps (Greensburg Eat’n Park)

Corporate Giving

Throughout the last six decades, Eat’n Park’s core values have driven our growth: provide great dining experiences, great food, and great prices for every single guest while being a good neighbor in the communities we serve.

We invest at least 5% of our pre-tax earnings to support nonprofit organizations. We’re passionate about leveraging our dollars and resources to Enhance our Communities- One Smile at a Time.

We support a wide variety of causes, but our three primary areas of philanthropic focus are:

	Supporting family wellness and fitness
	Providing access to healthy food and education about food choices, particularly for kids
	Enhancing the lives of military veterans and their families

    
Awards

We are constantly striving to exceed our guests' and team members' expectations. Click here to check out just some of our awards.