Restaurant Jobs in Tennessee

Restaurant jobs in Tennessee are consistently in demand, with openings concentrated in full-service dining, fast-casual concepts, and hotel food and beverage operations at every level from line cook and server to general manager and executive chef. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the primary hiring hubs, home to established employers like Cracker Barrel, Darden Restaurants, and HHM Hotels with long-standing Tennessee operations. The most sought-after specialties right now are kitchen management, front-of-house leadership, and catering coordination. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles116+
Top employerCook Out Restaurants
Top cityNashville, TN
Cities hiring45
Work type89% On-site
Top credentialHigh school diploma or GED

Showing 5 of 116+ Restaurant jobs

Restaurant General Manager
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New 16h ago
Restaurant General Manager
Popeyes
Cookeville, Tennessee
Business Operations
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
High school diploma or GED

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Restaurant Shift Leader
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New 16h ago
Restaurant Shift Leader
Hoogland Restaurant Group
Knoxville, Tennessee
Customer Service
Event Planning
Hospitality Management
1,001-5,000

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Restaurant Manager (BOH Focus)
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Added 1d ago
Restaurant Manager (BOH Focus)
Emmy Squared
Nashville, Tennessee
Customer Service
Food Service
Hospitality Management
$60k - $70k/yr
501-1,000

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Restaurant Server (kabuki Farragut 11.26)
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Added 1d ago
Restaurant Server (kabuki Farragut 11.26)
Kabuki Japanese Restaurant
Knoxville, Tennessee
Customer Service
Event Planning
Hospitality Management
$15 - $40/hr
On-Site
501-1,000

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Blaze Pizza Restaurant Assistant General Manager
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Added 1d ago
Blaze Pizza Restaurant Assistant General Manager
Blaze Pizza
Knoxville, Tennessee
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project Management
On-Site
High school diploma or GED
51-200

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Restaurant Jobs by City in Tennessee

Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Knoxville
11 jobs
Franklin
7 jobs
Chattanooga
4 jobs
Antioch
3 jobs
Cookeville
3 jobs
Clarksville
3 jobs
Johnson City
3 jobs

Restaurant Job Market in Tennessee

A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Cook Out Restaurants18
  • Raising Cane's6
  • Firehouse Subs5
  • Olive Garden4
  • Sonic Drive-In4

What Tennessee Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in restaurant jobs across Tennessee.

  • Tennessee Food Handler Certification or ServSafe certification recognized by the Tennessee Department of Health
  • Prior experience in a full-service, fast-casual, or hotel food and beverage environment
  • Availability for evening, weekend, and holiday shifts as required by restaurant operations
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet high-volume service demands
  • Strong knowledge of food safety standards, sanitation procedures, and allergen protocols
  • Team-oriented communication skills and ability to coordinate across front- and back-of-house staff

Restaurant Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a restaurant worker in Tennessee?

The most direct path is completing a Tennessee Department of Health-approved food handler or food safety course, which is required for anyone handling food in a commercial setting in Tennessee. Many employers also look for a ServSafe certification. For management roles, a culinary degree or an apprenticeship through the American Culinary Federation's Nashville or Memphis chapters adds a meaningful credential. Entry-level positions typically require only on-the-job training and a valid food handler card.

Which companies hire restaurants in Tennessee?

Employers hiring restaurants in Tennessee right now include Cook Out Restaurants, Raising Cane's, and Firehouse Subs, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's strong hospitality and tourism economy, particularly in Nashville and Memphis, means large hotel groups, entertainment venues, and regional chains maintain consistent year-round hiring.

Which Tennessee cities have the most restaurant jobs?

Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville have the most restaurant openings in Tennessee. Nashville drives the largest share of listings given its booming tourism industry, convention hotel presence, and rapidly expanding dining scene, while Memphis anchors demand through its entertainment district and major hospitality employers, and Knoxville benefits from University of Tennessee foot traffic and a growing downtown restaurant corridor.

Are there remote restaurant jobs in Tennessee?

Yes, but they're rare. Restaurant work is by nature hands-on and location-specific, so the vast majority of roles require on-site presence. About 11% of restaurant openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be in corporate support functions like restaurant operations management, training coordination, or regional marketing rather than floor or kitchen roles.

How can I get hired as a restaurant worker in Tennessee with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is applying for a host, busser, dishwasher, or food runner role at a full-service restaurant or hotel property, since these positions require no prior experience and frequently lead to server or line cook opportunities within months. Large Tennessee employers like Cracker Barrel and hotel groups affiliated with downtown Nashville and Memphis properties run structured on-boarding programs for new hires. Earning a Tennessee food handler card before applying signals readiness and gives candidates a practical edge over those who haven't completed it.

Where can I find and apply to restaurant jobs in Tennessee?

You can find and apply to restaurant jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and availability, and apply directly to the positions that fit.

See All 116+ Restaurant Jobs in Tennessee

Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Restaurant Jobs