There are just a handful of Pizza Hut careers to choose from if you want a job at one of the restaurants but each has its own rewards. For example, you can apply for a team member position and after gaining free company training, you can work your way into a server, cook, or delivery driver position and set your sights on a management career in the future.
Working at Pizza Hut
Past and present Pizza Hut employees rate this pizza chain slightly above average but the compensation and benefits get the lowest ratings. This is not surprising because most of these restaurants are franchise-owned and individual owners set their hourly pay rates and salaries.
Here then, are the pros and cons:
Pros
- Employees find the working atmosphere lots of fun
- Most locations give you one free meal every day during your shift
- It’s a good first job for high school students
- In some locations, there are good tips for servers and drivers
- Hard workers have great opportunities to move up the ladder of success
Cons
- Many employees feel the hourly pay is way too low
- It’s very difficult to get breaks during your shift
- Employee health benefits are poor or nonexistent in many locations
- Good management is hit or miss
- The work can be exhausting during peak times
Pizza Hut Pay
Overall, the hourly pay and salaries for Pizza Hut employees who work at the restaurants are average. When you read reviews given by past and present employees, you get the feeling that many Pizza Hut franchisees are not paying their employees fairly.
It’s common for franchisees to pay a low starting wage because it weeds out workers who don’t plan on staying with the company for very long. Typically, the employee turnover for restaurants like Pizza Hut is very high because companies don’t invest a lot of money in employees at the start.
Owners are scared to invest money in a worker until he or she proves to be a worthy investment. Most employees get a job just to have a job and pay the bills. This is exactly the type of worker franchisees try to avoid hiring!
This is great news for you if you want to work at Pizza Hut and advance your career. You simply have to work hard and prove yourself to your company ownership and management in order to have a chance for raises and promotions. Work hard and be dependable for the team, the company, and for yourself, and you will likely be rewarded.
Restaurant Careers
Pizza Hut restaurant careers can be grouped into the following sequence; team members, shift leaders, delivery drivers, and restaurant managers. All of these positions require different types of paid training provided by this company once you are hired.
Pizza Hut Team Member
This is Pizza Hut’s generic term for employees who will perform duties relating to positions in customer service, server, cook, delivery driver, and host.
For these jobs, you have to be at least 16 years of age to apply unless you want to be a delivery driver or cook, in which case you need to be 18. All training is provided for you and it should be a lot of fun and easy to learn.
Pizza Hut Server
Servers at this pizza restaurant chain aren’t only expected to wait on tables. They are expected to change hats and be the host or hostess at times, and some even double up as cooks during their shift!
In this position, you are expected to be extremely courteous and friendly so that your store can gain repeat customers. Management will be watching how you treat your guests, so it’s helpful to have a warm and engaging personality. If you are an introvert, this job may not be for you.
Pizza Hut handles all the training for you when you apply and get hired for this position but having experience will help you make more tip money right from the start.
Pizza Hut Cook
Some team members get picked to become cooks and Pizza Hut hires experienced cooks as well. Regardless of your experience, you’ll have to learn or adapt to the way this company makes its pizza and other dishes on the menu.
For this job, you need to have an open mind so you can assimilate the extensive training provided. You also need plenty of energy and motivation for the daily rush from customers who need to be served as quickly as possible.
This job requires you to be at least 18 years old for liability and hazard reasons. You will be constantly working in an area with hot appliances and non-stop cooking.
Pizza Hut Shift Leader
In this position, also known as the shift manager, you’ll gain plenty of experience and training while on your way to being an assistant manager or general manager. Pizza Hut prefers energetic and personable people for this job.
This is because you have to lead a team of employees in being productive at the workplace and at the same time, you have to ensure that all customers are treated extremely well.
Reliable transportation is a must for this position because you will be making bank cash deposits at times. You’ll also have to be at least 18 years of age.
Pizza Hut Delivery Driver
This job requires that you have a driver’s license for two years and a vehicle with the required insurance for your state or location.
Aside from your hourly pay, you get reimbursed for your mileage and you keep all your tips. A safe driving record is also a must. Pizza Hut appreciates delivery drivers who are friendly and like to have fun while responsibly delivering pizzas and other menu items.
Pizza Hut Assistant Manager
As an assistant manager at Pizza Hut, your primary responsibility is to create and maintain a positive working atmosphere for your team members. This restaurant chain knows that happy employees equal happy customers.
This position is oftentimes filled by shift managers who have proven themselves. If you’re coming into this organization from the outside, you’re going to need at least two years of leadership experience, preferably in the retail, restaurant, or hospitality business.
Additionally, you need to be at least 18 years old with reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
Pizza Hut Manager
The general manager position at Pizza Hut is the most critical position at any location. You will be completely in charge of overseeing every little detail concerning your employees in the interior and exterior of the store.
You’ll also be the one taking the lead in setting sales goals and meeting and exceeding expectations every month. General managers delegate many responsibilities to assistant managers such as assisting in hiring personnel and making weekly schedules.
The requirements are the same for assistant general managers (see above).
Corporate Careers
There are quite a few corporate careers to choose from at Pizza Hut. Here is a list of departments you’ll find at the corporate level:
- Operations
- Information Technology
- Food Innovation Team
- Development
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Legal
- Marketing
Pizza Hut Offers Career Growth
Pizza Hut offers all of its employees a 51% tuition discount through its “Life Unboxed Edu” program for attending Excelsior College. This is an accredited online institution that can help you build your career.
Additionally, corporate employees get reimbursed up to $5,250 every year to cover tuition costs. They also offer a $2,500 scholarship every year for several students who are pursuing college degrees.
How to Apply at Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut has a printable job application you can fill out before you approach any individual franchise-owned store and apply. This is without a doubt, the best method to apply, for several reasons, including:
- You will be able to meet the management staff at the store of your choice before applying
- It gives you a chance to speak with employees who work at that location to see how they like working there
- You get the opportunity to leave your contact information and get a manager’s information so you can call and follow up on your application
Alternatively, you can apply online. Here are the steps you can take:
- Visit the official Pizza Hut careers website.
- Look through the website for a few minutes and familiarize yourself with the company.
- When you are ready, click the “Search Jobs“ link.
- You will be redirected to a page where you can enter your city, state, or ZIP Code and indicate the distance/mile radius you would consider working. Then, click the “Search Jobs” link.
- Read the job description and if you are interested, click the “Apply Now” button.
- On the redirected page, you can click the “Get Started” button and begin your Pizza Hut job application.
Pizza Hut Application Process
It usually does not take very long to get a callback from the hiring manager to be interviewed after you submit your Pizza Hut application. Many employees say it takes anywhere between one day to three weeks to get a callback. The average time it takes is within one week.
Some employees say that after the interview, they were hired on the spot. Once you are hired, you will receive training for the specific position you applied for.
Pizza Hut Interview Questions
Employees report that interview questions are very simple. They will likely be along the lines of:
- When are you available to work?
- Do you have any experience in the restaurant industry?
- Tell me something about yourself.
- Where do you want to be in five years?
- Why did you apply at Pizza Hut?
Answer each question truthfully and try your best to keep the answers as short as possible while explaining everything in detail. In other words, don’t ramble on and continue speaking when you don’t have to.
Minimum Hiring Age
The minimum age to get hired at Pizza Hut is 16 years old. However, delivery drivers and cooks have to be at least 18 years old.
16 and 17-year-olds will normally serve as hosts, customer service reps, or servers.
Does Pizza Hut drug test?
Generally, Pizza Hut does not drug test employees before they get hired. They do reserve the right to drug test you if you throw up some type of red flag. Remember, most locations are franchise-owned and these owners can set whatever rules they desire.
Does Pizza Hut conduct background checks?
Usually, background checks are reserved for people who are seeking management positions. However, occasionally a franchise owner will conduct a background check on an employee because it is their preference.
Do they hire felons?
Pizza Hut is made up of mostly franchise-owned locations, so each location treats this sensitive subject differently according to their policies and beliefs. All in all, most Pizza Huts will hire felons as long as they believe the felony past does not potentially interfere with or negatively affect their employment.
History
Dan and Frank Carney founded Pizza Hut in Wichita, Kansas, in 1958. These two brothers were attending Wichita State University and soon began opening other locations regularly and ended up franchising the company in 1959.
They sold the company to PepsiCo in 1977 and years later, this company took on the name of Yum! Brands.
Today there are well over 18,000 of these restaurants worldwide and employ more than 300,000 workers.
Pizza Hut Employee Benefits
Restaurant franchise owners at this pizza chain don’t usually offer their employees any type of health benefits. However, some allow management personnel such as shift leaders, assistants, and general managers to participate and enroll in health plans.
You will rarely see any team member be offered any type of health insurance at Pizza Hut. Instead, team members get employee discounts and occasionally a 401(k) with the company matching 100% up to 6% of contributions.
Corporate employees in Plano, Texas receive a comprehensive health benefits package. It includes:
- 401(k)
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision
- Dependent care and flexible spending accounts
- Prescription drug coverage
- Life insurance
- Accident and disability insurance
Final Thoughts
The highest paying team member position for this company is the server job. In states where the minimum wage for tipped workers is high, a server can stand to make a lot more money than the average team member.
With that said, the overall pay is very low for entry-level workers. Unless you’re in a state that has a high minimum wage for tipped employees, you should consider other companies to work as a server.
As far as entry-level team members working as cooks, customer service reps, and delivery drivers, you will find it hard to make a living once you get hired, even if you’re working full-time. The only way to substantiate getting an entry-level job at Pizza Hut as a team member is to set your sights on a management career in the future.
Pizza Hut is a good choice for high school students wanting to get their feet wet with their first job. You’ll be exposed to working hard, providing friendly customer service, and having lots of fun with your coworkers.
For middle-aged and older workers, the hourly wages won’t be enough to support yourself or your family members unless you have your significant other working right alongside you or if he or she has a better-paying job somewhere else.
Retirees will find working at Pizza Hut a breath of fresh air because the atmosphere is pleasant to work in and they can earn a decent amount of extra side income.
Featured image courtesy of Ildar Sagdejev (Specious), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
