OPT Line Cook Jobs
Line Cook jobs on OPT are available at restaurants, hotels, and food service operations across the U.S. Most roles offer immediate start dates, which suits OPT students who need to begin work quickly. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension, if eligible) must be used in a role directly related to your culinary or hospitality degree.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Summary:
Ideal candidates approach their job with pride, cook from their hearts, and genuinely love to take care of their guests. Previous experience with fresh seasonal ingredients, butchery, appreciated but not necessary. Uncompromising work ethic and attention to detail and cleanliness required. You will work directly with our Chef and Sous Chef daily, using state of the art equipment and tested recipes, to create a warm and welcoming place to work and create. We partner with local farms and regional purveyors to create fresh seasonal menu offerings, take pride in giving back weekly to our local communities and hold ourselves to setting the next standard. You will be a part of a Culinary Revolution changing the way our communities see the best of Convenience Store food offerings.
At Global Partners, business starts with people. Since 1933, we’ve believed in taking care of our customers, our guests, our communities, and each other—and that belief continues to guide us.
The Global Spirit is how we work to fuel that long term commitment to success. As a Fortune 500 company with 90+ years of experience, we’re proud to fuel communities—responsibly and sustainably. We show up every day with grit, passion, and purpose—anticipating needs, building lasting relationships, and creating shared value.
Job Description:
Responsibilities:
- Ability to prep while managing orders coming in throughout the day
- Interact with guest throughout the day showcasing our passion for foodservice and exhibiting our dedication towards hospitality
- Makes adjustments to food items to accommodate guests with allergies or specific diet concerns
- Acts as liaison to front-of-house employees to ensure proper food service temperature
- Operates various kitchen appliances such as a blender, oven, flat top grill, or stand mixer
- Prepares any necessary sauces or accompaniments before meal service begins
- Keeps a clean tight station even under the busiest conditions
- Estimates expected food consumption and organizes preparation, fills out prep list daily
- Added responsibly as needed
Pay Range:
$18.13 - $21.34
The pay range for this position is outlined above. The final amount offered at the start of employment is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience level, knowledge, skills, abilities and geographic location, and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance and market factors.
Our Commitments to You
- Coins! We offer competitive salaries and opportunities for growth. We have an amazing Talent Development Team who create trainings for growth and job development.
- Health & Wellness - Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance. Along with additional wellness support.
- The Road Ahead – We offer 401k and a match component!
- Professional Development - We provide tuition reimbursement; this benefit is offered after 6 months of service.
What to Expect From the Hiring Process
We value passion and potential. Please apply if you’re qualified and interested—we’d love to hear from you.
A member of our Talent Acquisition team will review your application and may connect you with the hiring manager if your experience is a strong match.
Interviews are conducted virtually and in person, depending on the role. We’ll provide more details about next steps if selected to move forward.
Global Partners LP is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a company culture where ideas from all people help us grow, move and thrive. We embrace the diversity of all applicants and do not discriminate against race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. If you have a disability and need an accommodation to apply, please contact our recruiting department at 781-747-9675 or 781-7GP-WORK.
Disclaimer: At Global Partners, we don't use lie detector tests for any employment decisions. We follow all the rules and regulations, so we need to let you know: In Massachusetts, it's illegal to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Job Summary:
Ideal candidates approach their job with pride, cook from their hearts, and genuinely love to take care of their guests. Previous experience with fresh seasonal ingredients, butchery, appreciated but not necessary. Uncompromising work ethic and attention to detail and cleanliness required. You will work directly with our Chef and Sous Chef daily, using state of the art equipment and tested recipes, to create a warm and welcoming place to work and create. We partner with local farms and regional purveyors to create fresh seasonal menu offerings, take pride in giving back weekly to our local communities and hold ourselves to setting the next standard. You will be a part of a Culinary Revolution changing the way our communities see the best of Convenience Store food offerings.
At Global Partners, business starts with people. Since 1933, we’ve believed in taking care of our customers, our guests, our communities, and each other—and that belief continues to guide us.
The Global Spirit is how we work to fuel that long term commitment to success. As a Fortune 500 company with 90+ years of experience, we’re proud to fuel communities—responsibly and sustainably. We show up every day with grit, passion, and purpose—anticipating needs, building lasting relationships, and creating shared value.
Job Description:
Responsibilities:
- Ability to prep while managing orders coming in throughout the day
- Interact with guest throughout the day showcasing our passion for foodservice and exhibiting our dedication towards hospitality
- Makes adjustments to food items to accommodate guests with allergies or specific diet concerns
- Acts as liaison to front-of-house employees to ensure proper food service temperature
- Operates various kitchen appliances such as a blender, oven, flat top grill, or stand mixer
- Prepares any necessary sauces or accompaniments before meal service begins
- Keeps a clean tight station even under the busiest conditions
- Estimates expected food consumption and organizes preparation, fills out prep list daily
- Added responsibly as needed
Pay Range:
$18.13 - $21.34
The pay range for this position is outlined above. The final amount offered at the start of employment is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience level, knowledge, skills, abilities and geographic location, and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance and market factors.
Our Commitments to You
- Coins! We offer competitive salaries and opportunities for growth. We have an amazing Talent Development Team who create trainings for growth and job development.
- Health & Wellness - Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance. Along with additional wellness support.
- The Road Ahead – We offer 401k and a match component!
- Professional Development - We provide tuition reimbursement; this benefit is offered after 6 months of service.
What to Expect From the Hiring Process
We value passion and potential. Please apply if you’re qualified and interested—we’d love to hear from you.
A member of our Talent Acquisition team will review your application and may connect you with the hiring manager if your experience is a strong match.
Interviews are conducted virtually and in person, depending on the role. We’ll provide more details about next steps if selected to move forward.
Global Partners LP is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a company culture where ideas from all people help us grow, move and thrive. We embrace the diversity of all applicants and do not discriminate against race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. If you have a disability and need an accommodation to apply, please contact our recruiting department at 781-747-9675 or 781-7GP-WORK.
Disclaimer: At Global Partners, we don't use lie detector tests for any employment decisions. We follow all the rules and regulations, so we need to let you know: In Massachusetts, it's illegal to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
See all 94+ OPT Line Cook Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Line Cook
Confirm your degree supports the role
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your field of study. A culinary arts or hospitality management degree clearly supports Line Cook roles. If your degree is adjacent, document the connection before your employer signs your verification paperwork.
Target employers with HR infrastructure
Hotel groups, restaurant chains, and contract food service companies like hospital or university dining operations are more experienced with work authorization. Independent restaurants often lack the HR capacity to navigate OPT verification requirements without guidance from you.
Know your reporting obligations
You must report your Line Cook employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting work. Include the employer name, address, and job title. Unreported employment can jeopardize your OPT status even if the job itself is fully qualifying.
Prepare your EAD card before day one
Your Employment Authorization Document must be in hand before you start working. Apply through USCIS at least 90 days before your program end date. Many restaurant employers will not allow you to begin onboarding without seeing the physical card.
Ask about H-2B and H-1B sponsorship early
Some larger hospitality groups and hotel companies sponsor cooks for H-2B visa seasonal visas or, in rare cases, H-1B visa if the role is supervisory. Raise the sponsorship question during the offer stage, not after starting, so both sides can plan around your OPT expiration date.
Track your OPT unemployment limit carefully
OPT students may be unemployed for no more than 90 days total. Kitchen hiring can be inconsistent, with trial shifts and delayed formal start dates. Count every gap from your OPT start date, not just periods between formal jobs, to avoid inadvertent violations.
Line Cook OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Line Cook job qualify for OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in culinary arts, culinary management, or hospitality management. OPT requires a direct relationship between your job duties and your field of study. A Line Cook role at a restaurant or hotel clearly aligns with culinary training. If your degree is in a loosely related field like food science or nutrition, document the connection in writing before your DSO certifies your employment.
Can I work part-time as a Line Cook on OPT?
Yes. OPT permits part-time work of at least 20 hours per week during post-completion OPT. Kitchen roles often start part-time before expanding to full-time, which is acceptable as long as you stay above the 20-hour threshold. Dropping below 20 hours counts as unemployment toward your 90-day limit, so confirm your scheduled hours with your employer before accepting a part-time offer.
Where can I find Line Cook jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Line Cook and broader culinary roles from employers who are open to hiring candidates with work authorization. Searching through a general job board means sorting through listings that may not accommodate OPT at all. Migrate Mate filters for OPT-friendly employers, which saves significant time during a job search when every week counts against your authorization window.
Do Line Cook employers need to file anything with USCIS for OPT?
No. Unlike H-1B sponsorship, OPT does not require your employer to file any petition or pay any fees to USCIS. The employer simply completes an employment verification form (Form I-9), reviews your EAD card, and confirms the job details with your DSO if requested. This makes OPT significantly simpler for restaurant and hotel employers who may be unfamiliar with immigration processes.
Can a Line Cook role lead to long-term visa sponsorship?
It depends on the employer's size and structure. Independent restaurants rarely sponsor visas beyond OPT. Larger hotel groups, resort operators, and contract dining companies occasionally sponsor experienced cooks for H-2B seasonal visas or, if the role evolves into a supervisory or executive position, an H-1B. Raising sponsorship early in the interview process helps you identify which employers are realistic long-term options before committing your OPT authorization period.