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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Eataly is the world’s largest artisanal Italian food and beverage marketplace! Eataly is not a chain; each Eataly is different, with its own character and own theme – but all with the same aim... for our guests to:
- EAT authentic Italian food at our restaurants, cafés and to-go counters
- SHOP a selection of high-quality Italian, local and homemade products
- LEARN through our classes and our team’s product knowledge
Job Description
The Restaurant Manager assists the Restaurant Assistant General Manager (AGM) in the day-to-day operations of Eataly’s full-service restaurants. Reports to the Restaurant AGM and oversees front-of-house restaurant staff including servers, bartenders, food runners, hosts, bussers and barbacks.
- Supports the Restaurant AGM with hiring, assigning, training, evaluating and terminating employees
- Documents, investigates, escalates and resolves all employee and guests incidents
- Ensures exceptional service standards are consistently met and that activities are carried out effectively
- Inspects dining room and storage areas to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations
- Estimates front-of-house food and beverage needs, and supervises intake orders to ensure specifications
- Reviews financial information such as sales, inventory and costs to monitor budget
- Meets with dining room and bar personnel to plan restaurant activities, special events, share information, etc.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned
Qualifications
- 2+ years of experiencing leading or managing a front-of-house restaurant team
- Understanding of steps of service
- Outstanding communication, leadership and problem-solving skills
- Bachelor’s Degree or Associate’s Degree in Restaurant Management or Hospitality preferred
- Knowledge of Italian cuisine and beverage highly preferred
Job Requirements
- Availability to work onsite with a flexible schedule often including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours, including standing, walking, bending and squatting
- Food Handler’s License preferred
Additional Information
Benefits and Perks
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401K with match or RRSP
- Bonus program
- Free family meal daily
- Discounts at Eataly
- Classes on products and Italian cuisine
- Referral bonus program
- and more!
Company Description
Eataly is the world’s largest artisanal Italian food and beverage marketplace! Eataly is not a chain; each Eataly is different, with its own character and own theme – but all with the same aim... for our guests to:
- EAT authentic Italian food at our restaurants, cafés and to-go counters
- SHOP a selection of high-quality Italian, local and homemade products
- LEARN through our classes and our team’s product knowledge
Job Description
The Restaurant Manager assists the Restaurant Assistant General Manager (AGM) in the day-to-day operations of Eataly’s full-service restaurants. Reports to the Restaurant AGM and oversees front-of-house restaurant staff including servers, bartenders, food runners, hosts, bussers and barbacks.
- Supports the Restaurant AGM with hiring, assigning, training, evaluating and terminating employees
- Documents, investigates, escalates and resolves all employee and guests incidents
- Ensures exceptional service standards are consistently met and that activities are carried out effectively
- Inspects dining room and storage areas to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations
- Estimates front-of-house food and beverage needs, and supervises intake orders to ensure specifications
- Reviews financial information such as sales, inventory and costs to monitor budget
- Meets with dining room and bar personnel to plan restaurant activities, special events, share information, etc.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned
Qualifications
- 2+ years of experiencing leading or managing a front-of-house restaurant team
- Understanding of steps of service
- Outstanding communication, leadership and problem-solving skills
- Bachelor’s Degree or Associate’s Degree in Restaurant Management or Hospitality preferred
- Knowledge of Italian cuisine and beverage highly preferred
Job Requirements
- Availability to work onsite with a flexible schedule often including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours, including standing, walking, bending and squatting
- Food Handler’s License preferred
Additional Information
Benefits and Perks
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401K with match or RRSP
- Bonus program
- Free family meal daily
- Discounts at Eataly
- Classes on products and Italian cuisine
- Referral bonus program
- and more!
See all 1,166+ Restaurant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Restaurant roles.
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.
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.