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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We Are Lucky Strike Entertainment, one of the largest and most successful location-based entertainment companies in the World with 360 upscale and traditional Bowling Centers, five expansive and well-located Waterparks, a large Amusement Park in California and 10 upscale Boomers Family Entertainment Centers in major markets.
- Lead daily operations across food and beverage, bar, kitchen, bowling, and arcade, maintaining service flow and hospitality standards every shift
- Drive revenue through sales-focused service, upselling, guest engagement, and event support
- Recruit, train, coach, and schedule teams that consistently meet company standards and genuinely serve guests well
- Own labor management, food and beverage cost control, inventory accuracy, and daily financial targets
- Stay on the floor supporting FOH and BOH, resolving guest issues in real time, and reinforcing a culture of accountability
- Ensure the center is operationally ready and guest-ready through every high-volume shift
- 3 or more years of leadership experience in restaurant, hospitality, or high-volume food and beverage operations
- A proven ability to drive food and beverage sales and build teams that deliver it consistently
- Experience training and developing hourly leaders in fast-paced environments
- A floor-first management style with a strong read on guest experience
- Solid financial acumen including labor, food cost, inventory, and P&L contribution
- Comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs and standing or walking for extended periods
- Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays
What You'll Get
- Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to select from based on your needs
- Wellness resources to help you along your wellness journey
- 401(k) Retirement Plans
- Employee Stock Purchase Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Vacation, Paid Sick Leave, and Holidays
- Perks! Bowling, Boomer's, and Waterpark discounts, Retail discounts, Event discounts, and more!
#LI‑DNP
Lucky Strike Entertainment offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package which includes healthcare coverage and other benefits including dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, employee stock purchase program, employee assistance program (EAP), paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid sick leave. More details regarding benefits are available here: Lucky Strike Entertainment Benefits
We Are Lucky Strike Entertainment, one of the largest and most successful location-based entertainment companies in the World with 360 upscale and traditional Bowling Centers, five expansive and well-located Waterparks, a large Amusement Park in California and 10 upscale Boomers Family Entertainment Centers in major markets.
- Lead daily operations across food and beverage, bar, kitchen, bowling, and arcade, maintaining service flow and hospitality standards every shift
- Drive revenue through sales-focused service, upselling, guest engagement, and event support
- Recruit, train, coach, and schedule teams that consistently meet company standards and genuinely serve guests well
- Own labor management, food and beverage cost control, inventory accuracy, and daily financial targets
- Stay on the floor supporting FOH and BOH, resolving guest issues in real time, and reinforcing a culture of accountability
- Ensure the center is operationally ready and guest-ready through every high-volume shift
- 3 or more years of leadership experience in restaurant, hospitality, or high-volume food and beverage operations
- A proven ability to drive food and beverage sales and build teams that deliver it consistently
- Experience training and developing hourly leaders in fast-paced environments
- A floor-first management style with a strong read on guest experience
- Solid financial acumen including labor, food cost, inventory, and P&L contribution
- Comfortable lifting up to 50 lbs and standing or walking for extended periods
- Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays
What You'll Get
- Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to select from based on your needs
- Wellness resources to help you along your wellness journey
- 401(k) Retirement Plans
- Employee Stock Purchase Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Vacation, Paid Sick Leave, and Holidays
- Perks! Bowling, Boomer's, and Waterpark discounts, Retail discounts, Event discounts, and more!
#LI‑DNP
Lucky Strike Entertainment offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package which includes healthcare coverage and other benefits including dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, employee stock purchase program, employee assistance program (EAP), paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid sick leave. More details regarding benefits are available here: Lucky Strike Entertainment Benefits
See All 47 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
- Pancheros Mexican Grill11
- Raising Cane's7
- Starlite Room2S
- Sapp Bros.2
- Love’s Travel Stops2
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 Pancheros Mexican Grill, Raising Cane's, and Starlite Room, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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?
Cedar Rapids, Altoona, and Council Bluffs 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 0% of restaurant openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 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 47 Restaurant Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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