Restaurant Jobs in Iowa
Restaurant jobs in Iowa are consistently active, with openings spread across full-service dining, fast-casual chains, and hotel food and beverage operations in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. Large hospitality and dining employers with a lasting presence in Iowa, such as Hy-Vee Food Stores, Marriott-affiliated properties, and Dine Brands, hire across front-of-house, back-of-house, and management roles at every experience level. The most in-demand specialties are kitchen management, line cook positions, and restaurant general management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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JOIN DA CREW! Be A Part of The Family!
Godfather's Pizza, Inc. is looking for great leaders!
Do you enjoy a fun work atmosphere that allows for you to be independent and show value to your customers? Then stop waiting and apply today! We want to speak with you!
What makes us "Uniquely Godfather's Pizza"? Our values! Family First, High Work Ethic, Honesty, Fun! The connotation of the name "Godfather" implies family and caring. Our ideal candidate has a passion for food and beverage, a genuine ability to connect with guests and staff alike and sets the bar for being "Uniquely Godfather's Pizza".
The payoff for you:
- Leading a team to bring out their best and yours
- Benefits after 30 days
- 401k with Company Match
- Vacation pay after six months of employment
- Eligibility for Monthly Bonuses based on Sales
- Amazing tuition assistance for you and even some family members after only 30 days of employment
- Employee discount + FREE food during shift!
Who we are looking for:
- You are a great leader with a proven ability to motivate a team to success
- You love to greet guests and put a smile on their face
- You’re one to go above and beyond to make sure your store runs smoothly and those guests get that perfect experience
- You embrace being a team player and working well with others
- You enjoy working in a clean environment and don’t mind keeping it that way
- You’re big into keeping yourself and others safe, while having a good time
- You can problem solve, set goals, and execute strategy
- You are tech savvy and comfortable with a variety of technology systems (Microsoft Office, Outlook)
- You are eager to develop your business acumen and unlock your own potential
Things to keep in mind:
- You need to be at least 18 years of age to operate certain equipment
- Attendance is important because you’ll be a vital part of our team
- A HS diploma, GED, or some college is preferred, but not required
- You will need to be an effective communicator with ability to lead, motivate, and empower team members
- You’ll need basic math skills
- There will be times when you may have to do some heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds)
- Some positions (and locations) may require you to get a food handler permit; don’t worry – we cover the cost.
JOIN DA CREW! Be A Part of The Family!
Godfather's Pizza, Inc. is looking for great leaders!
Do you enjoy a fun work atmosphere that allows for you to be independent and show value to your customers? Then stop waiting and apply today! We want to speak with you!
What makes us "Uniquely Godfather's Pizza"? Our values! Family First, High Work Ethic, Honesty, Fun! The connotation of the name "Godfather" implies family and caring. Our ideal candidate has a passion for food and beverage, a genuine ability to connect with guests and staff alike and sets the bar for being "Uniquely Godfather's Pizza".
The payoff for you:
- Leading a team to bring out their best and yours
- Benefits after 30 days
- 401k with Company Match
- Vacation pay after six months of employment
- Eligibility for Monthly Bonuses based on Sales
- Amazing tuition assistance for you and even some family members after only 30 days of employment
- Employee discount + FREE food during shift!
Who we are looking for:
- You are a great leader with a proven ability to motivate a team to success
- You love to greet guests and put a smile on their face
- You’re one to go above and beyond to make sure your store runs smoothly and those guests get that perfect experience
- You embrace being a team player and working well with others
- You enjoy working in a clean environment and don’t mind keeping it that way
- You’re big into keeping yourself and others safe, while having a good time
- You can problem solve, set goals, and execute strategy
- You are tech savvy and comfortable with a variety of technology systems (Microsoft Office, Outlook)
- You are eager to develop your business acumen and unlock your own potential
Things to keep in mind:
- You need to be at least 18 years of age to operate certain equipment
- Attendance is important because you’ll be a vital part of our team
- A HS diploma, GED, or some college is preferred, but not required
- You will need to be an effective communicator with ability to lead, motivate, and empower team members
- You’ll need basic math skills
- There will be times when you may have to do some heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds)
- Some positions (and locations) may require you to get a food handler permit; don’t worry – we cover the cost.
See All 40 Restaurant Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Restaurant JobsRestaurant Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Restaurant Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in restaurant jobs across Iowa.
- Food Handler Certification required or obtainable within 30 days of hire in Iowa
- Minimum one to three years of experience in a restaurant or food service environment
- Demonstrated knowledge of food safety standards and Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals guidelines
- Availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by restaurant operations
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds in a kitchen or dining environment
- Strong customer service and communication skills for guest-facing or team leadership roles
Restaurant Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a restaurant in Iowa?
Most restaurant positions in Iowa do not require a state-issued license, but food safety certification is a practical prerequisite. Iowa follows the Iowa Food Code administered by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, and many employers require or prefer a Food Handler Certificate or ServSafe certification. Management roles typically require prior supervisory experience, while entry-level positions need only on-the-job training or a high school diploma.
Which companies hire restaurants in Iowa?
Employers hiring restaurants in Iowa right now include Panera Bread, Love’s Travel Stops, and Raising Cane's, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's mix of regional chains, independent full-service restaurants, and hotel food and beverage operations means consistent openings at multiple experience levels across the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most restaurant jobs?
West Des Moines, Davenport, and Des Moines have the most restaurant openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives volume as the state's largest metro and a growing corporate and convention hub, while Cedar Rapids and Iowa City generate steady demand through university populations, healthcare campuses, and regional retail corridors that anchor high foot-traffic dining districts.
Are there remote restaurant jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Restaurant work is fundamentally on-site, involving food preparation, table service, and kitchen operations that cannot be performed remotely. About 14% of restaurant openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in corporate roles such as regional management, training coordination, or menu development for multi-unit operators.
How can I get hired as a restaurant in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a host, busser, or dishwasher role at a full-service restaurant or hotel food and beverage outlet in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids. Large employers such as Hy-Vee and hotel groups affiliated with Marriott or Hilton run structured onboarding programs for new hires. Earning a ServSafe Food Handler Certificate before applying gives candidates a concrete edge and signals readiness to Iowa hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to restaurant jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to restaurant jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and other Iowa markets. Find roles that fit your experience and schedule and apply directly to the employer through each listing.
See All 40 Restaurant Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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