Restaurant Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Visa sponsorship for restaurant jobs is extremely limited in the U.S. Most front-of-house and kitchen roles don't qualify for H-1B visas since they aren't considered specialty occupations. H-2B visa seasonal worker visas exist but have very low caps and are employer-initiated. Management-level positions at large restaurant groups occasionally qualify for L-1 visa or H-1B visa sponsorship, but these are rare and competitive. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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At Urban Farmer Philadelphia, everything we do celebrates the spirit of the city we call home. From the warm, modern-rustic design to the locally sourced ingredients on every plate, our restaurant reflects the energy and flavor of Philadelphia. As the city’s modern steakhouse, our menu highlights sustainable ingredients, simple preparations, and strong partnerships with local farms, ranches, and fisheries. Behind the bar, you’ll find Pennsylvania craft beers, cocktails made with local spirits, and a vibrant wine program featuring regional vineyards. Nine floors above the city, Assembly Rooftop Lounge offers one of Philadelphia’s most exciting views. Overlooking Logan Square and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this stylish rooftop pairs panoramic scenery with sparkling cocktails, champagne, and a lively, city-chic atmosphere. Our associates bring these experiences to life by anticipating guest needs, creating memorable moments, and supporting one another to deliver exceptional hospitality. If you have a passion for great service, a “make it happen” mindset, and enjoy creating experiences people remember, Urban Farmer Restaurant & Assembly Rooftop Lounge may be the perfect place for you.
Job Overview:
Plan and manage the restaurant, room service and other food and beverage outlets as appropriate in order to achieve customer satisfaction, quality service, compliance with corporate/franchise policies and procedures and federal, state and local regulations while meeting/exceeding financial goals. Position is responsible for the short term planning and daily operations of the restaurant and room service and may manage a lounge or quiet bar. Recommends promotional ideas and controls the budgets for the various areas.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the associates in the various outlets in order to attract, retain and motivate the employees; hire, schedule, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance and salary reviews, resolve problems, provide open communications and recommend discipline and termination, as appropriate.
- Implement company programs (IHC/franchise) and manage the operations of the restaurant, room service and any other food and beverage outlet as required to ensure compliance with SOPs, safety regulations and federal, state and local regulations to ensure an optimal level of service, quality and hospitality are provided to the guest(s).
- Forecast, implement, monitor, control and report on the various outlet budgets and their components (labor costs, food costs, beverage costs, supplies, equipment, etc.) to maximize revenue and minimize expenses while ensuring adequate supplies and staff are on hand to provide top quality customer service.
- Respond to customer trends, needs, issues, comments and problems to ensure a quality experience and enhance future sales prospects.
- Create, recommend and implement promotions, displays, buffet presentations and ideas to capture more in-house guests and a larger share of the local market.
- Monitor and control the maintenance/sanitation of the various outlet areas and equipment to protect the assets, comply with regulations and ensure quality service.
Qualifications
Education/Formal Training
More than two years of post high school education.
Experience
Two to three full years of full employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).
Knowledge/Skills
- Requires thorough knowledge of the restaurant/hotel practices and procedures in order to perform non-repetitive analytical work. May require knowledge of policies and procedures and the ability to determine course of action based on these guidelines.
- Supervision/management communication skills are required.
- Requires ability to investigate and analyze current activities or information and make logical conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to make occasional decisions which are generally guided by established policy and procedures.
- Excellent comprehension for assisting with guest and associate matters. Interpreting instructions from superiors.
- Excellent vision required for seating guests, expediting food, cleaning equipment, reading floor plans, charts, schedules.
- Must have excellent oral communication for communicating with guests and associates, issuing instructions and communicating policies.
- Excellent comprehension required to read and implement policies and procedures; writing schedules and reading forecast and SOPs.
- Must have knowledge of chemicals/agents for training purposes.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to lift, push, pull and carry tables, chairs, trays, plates, and chaffing dishes on a daily basis, 20 -40 lbs.
- Bending - Bend to pick up dropped items as needed. Bend to assist in serving food or getting supplies. No kneeling required.
- Mobility - 95% of shift covering all areas of outlets supervising.
- Continuous standing to assist at hostess station - minimal stationary standing.
- Climbing stairs - varies by location.
- No driving required.
Environment
Inside 95% of work day. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees if working at location with outside dining facilities and when assisting in kitchen.
Why us?:
At Urban Farmer Philadelphia, everything we do celebrates the spirit of the city we call home. From the warm, modern-rustic design to the locally sourced ingredients on every plate, our restaurant reflects the energy and flavor of Philadelphia. As the city’s modern steakhouse, our menu highlights sustainable ingredients, simple preparations, and strong partnerships with local farms, ranches, and fisheries. Behind the bar, you’ll find Pennsylvania craft beers, cocktails made with local spirits, and a vibrant wine program featuring regional vineyards. Nine floors above the city, Assembly Rooftop Lounge offers one of Philadelphia’s most exciting views. Overlooking Logan Square and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this stylish rooftop pairs panoramic scenery with sparkling cocktails, champagne, and a lively, city-chic atmosphere. Our associates bring these experiences to life by anticipating guest needs, creating memorable moments, and supporting one another to deliver exceptional hospitality. If you have a passion for great service, a “make it happen” mindset, and enjoy creating experiences people remember, Urban Farmer Restaurant & Assembly Rooftop Lounge may be the perfect place for you.
Job Overview:
Plan and manage the restaurant, room service and other food and beverage outlets as appropriate in order to achieve customer satisfaction, quality service, compliance with corporate/franchise policies and procedures and federal, state and local regulations while meeting/exceeding financial goals. Position is responsible for the short term planning and daily operations of the restaurant and room service and may manage a lounge or quiet bar. Recommends promotional ideas and controls the budgets for the various areas.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the associates in the various outlets in order to attract, retain and motivate the employees; hire, schedule, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance and salary reviews, resolve problems, provide open communications and recommend discipline and termination, as appropriate.
- Implement company programs (IHC/franchise) and manage the operations of the restaurant, room service and any other food and beverage outlet as required to ensure compliance with SOPs, safety regulations and federal, state and local regulations to ensure an optimal level of service, quality and hospitality are provided to the guest(s).
- Forecast, implement, monitor, control and report on the various outlet budgets and their components (labor costs, food costs, beverage costs, supplies, equipment, etc.) to maximize revenue and minimize expenses while ensuring adequate supplies and staff are on hand to provide top quality customer service.
- Respond to customer trends, needs, issues, comments and problems to ensure a quality experience and enhance future sales prospects.
- Create, recommend and implement promotions, displays, buffet presentations and ideas to capture more in-house guests and a larger share of the local market.
- Monitor and control the maintenance/sanitation of the various outlet areas and equipment to protect the assets, comply with regulations and ensure quality service.
Qualifications
Education/Formal Training
More than two years of post high school education.
Experience
Two to three full years of full employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).
Knowledge/Skills
- Requires thorough knowledge of the restaurant/hotel practices and procedures in order to perform non-repetitive analytical work. May require knowledge of policies and procedures and the ability to determine course of action based on these guidelines.
- Supervision/management communication skills are required.
- Requires ability to investigate and analyze current activities or information and make logical conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to make occasional decisions which are generally guided by established policy and procedures.
- Excellent comprehension for assisting with guest and associate matters. Interpreting instructions from superiors.
- Excellent vision required for seating guests, expediting food, cleaning equipment, reading floor plans, charts, schedules.
- Must have excellent oral communication for communicating with guests and associates, issuing instructions and communicating policies.
- Excellent comprehension required to read and implement policies and procedures; writing schedules and reading forecast and SOPs.
- Must have knowledge of chemicals/agents for training purposes.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to lift, push, pull and carry tables, chairs, trays, plates, and chaffing dishes on a daily basis, 20 -40 lbs.
- Bending - Bend to pick up dropped items as needed. Bend to assist in serving food or getting supplies. No kneeling required.
- Mobility - 95% of shift covering all areas of outlets supervising.
- Continuous standing to assist at hostess station - minimal stationary standing.
- Climbing stairs - varies by location.
- No driving required.
Environment
Inside 95% of work day. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees if working at location with outside dining facilities and when assisting in kitchen.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Restaurant Jobs
Distinguish between seasonal and corporate restaurant roles
The visa pathway depends entirely on the role level. Seasonal front-of-house and kitchen positions use the H-2B visa, while corporate and management roles at restaurant chains may qualify for H-1B. Knowing which path applies to your target role determines your entire job search strategy.
Target restaurant group corporate offices for H-1B roles
Companies like Darden Restaurants, Yum! Brands, Chipotle, and Starbucks have corporate offices with hundreds of non-restaurant positions in operations, analytics, marketing, and finance. These corporate roles are far more likely to support H-1B sponsorship than individual restaurant locations. Search for roles at company headquarters rather than store-level positions.
Leverage hospitality management degrees strategically
A bachelor's degree in hospitality management from an accredited U.S. or international program strengthens H-1B eligibility for restaurant management roles. Programs accredited by ACPHA (Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration) carry particular weight. If your program has a STEM-designated CIP code, you may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Consider hotel restaurant positions for broader sponsorship options
Restaurants within major hotel properties often benefit from the hotel's existing immigration infrastructure. A hotel that already sponsors H-1B workers for other departments may be more willing to sponsor restaurant management roles. Properties operated by Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt have dedicated immigration teams that handle sponsorship across departments.
Build U.S. experience through J-1 hospitality programs
J-1 visa exchange visitor programs designed for hospitality professionals place participants in U.S. restaurants for 12-18 months. This gives you verifiable U.S. management experience, English-language references, and an understanding of American restaurant operations. Many J-1 participants transition to H-1B or H-2B roles with the same or different employers afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of restaurant jobs can be sponsored through work visas?
Restaurant sponsorship options vary by role level. Front-of-house and kitchen positions at seasonal establishments commonly use H-2B visas, while management roles at large restaurant groups may qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship if they require a bachelor's degree. Corporate positions at restaurant chains - such as operations managers, marketing directors, and supply chain roles - are the most likely to qualify for H-1B.
How to find Restaurant jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find restaurant jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on established restaurant chains, hotel restaurant groups, and fine dining establishments that commonly sponsor H-1B, H-2B, or TN visas. These employers often need skilled chefs, restaurant managers, and specialized culinary professionals and are experienced with the sponsorship process.
Do restaurant chains sponsor visas for management positions?
Large restaurant groups like Darden (Olive Garden, LongHorn), Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut), and McDonald's corporate offices do sponsor H-1B visas for management and corporate roles. These positions typically require a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business, or a related field. Individual franchise locations rarely sponsor on their own.
Can I use OPT to work in the restaurant industry after graduating from a U.S. hospitality program?
Yes, graduates of U.S. hospitality management programs can use their 12 months of post-completion OPT to work in restaurant management, operations, or corporate roles. However, most hospitality management degrees are not STEM-designated, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension is typically not available. Some universities have reclassified their programs under STEM-eligible CIP codes, so check with your school's international student office.
What restaurant roles have the strongest sponsorship prospects?
Corporate positions at restaurant chains - including operations, finance, supply chain, and technology roles - have the strongest H-1B sponsorship prospects because they clearly require specialized degrees. General managers of high-volume restaurants may also qualify if the employer can demonstrate that the role requires a hospitality management degree. Line-level positions are better suited to H-2B seasonal sponsorship.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Restaurant jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a restaurant in Florida will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.