Memphis Restaurant Jobs May 2026: Who's Hiring Now

Published May 8, 2026 | LocalJobPage Team

Memphis has never been shy about its food culture, and right now that culture is paying wages. More than 1,100 restaurant and food service positions are posted across the metro as of this week, spanning everything from quick-service crew roles to fine-dining kitchen leads. New concepts are opening in Germantown and East Memphis, established local spots are adding shifts, and national chains are racing to staff up ahead of the summer travel season. If you work in food and drink, Memphis is hiring.

Raising Cane's — Multiple Memphis Locations

Raising Cane's is one of the most active restaurant recruiters in the metro right now, posting immediate openings across multiple Memphis-area locations. Role: Restaurant Crewmember (all shifts). Pay: Starting near $15.00 per hour, according to current postings. The chain emphasizes no previous experience required and provides paid training to every new hire, making it one of the most accessible entry points in Memphis food service. Both full-time and part-time schedules are available. Browse open Raising Cane's positions in Memphis to find the location nearest you.

The Capital Grille — East Memphis (Poplar Avenue)

The Capital Grille on Poplar Avenue is recruiting across multiple front- and back-of-house roles right now, including servers, food runners, server assistants, and kitchen cooks. Pay: Variable by position and experience, according to postings; kitchen roles typically carry weekly pay. The Darden-owned fine-dining concept offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, anniversary pay, paid sick leave, and a matching 401(k) plan after one year of employment. If upscale dining is your arena, this is one of Memphis's strongest offers on the table. Find Capital Grille openings in Memphis now.

Waffle House , Memphis Metro Locations

Waffle House runs multiple 24-hour locations across Memphis, Bartlett, and Cordova, and it consistently ranks among the metro's most accessible employers in food service. Roles: Grill operator, server, shift manager. Pay: Tips are taken home daily in cash and credit card form, according to current listings, and associates are eligible for flexible full-time or part-time schedules. Notably, Waffle House offers a stock ownership opportunity via payroll deduction, available after 90 days on the job , a rare benefit in the quick-service category. Search Waffle House jobs in Memphis for current shift availability.

Applebee's , Union Avenue and Greater Memphis

Applebee's locations across Memphis are actively recruiting crew members for kitchen and front-of-house roles. Roles include: Servers, hosts/hostesses, cooks, and dishwashers. The casual-dining chain offers a team-focused culture and has a track record of promoting from within, making it a solid stepping stone for anyone building a career in restaurant management. Both the Union Avenue location and additional metro sites are posting openings regularly. See Applebee's Memphis openings for current listings.

Babalu Tapas & Tacos , Memphis

Babalu Tapas & Tacos, a popular local staple with a devoted dining crowd, is recruiting servers and front-of-house staff. Role: Server. Prior restaurant or retail experience is preferred but not always required. Babalu brings a Latin-inspired menu and a lively, social atmosphere that draws both loyal regulars and tourism traffic, giving servers consistent table turns. Apply at Babalu Memphis jobs.

The Blue Monkey , Memphis

The Blue Monkey, a well-loved Memphis bar and restaurant with a strong live-music following, is looking for servers with at least two years of experience. Role: Server. The venue's blend of full food service and bar operations means staff must have basic bar knowledge. For someone who wants to work in a high-energy, Memphis-culture-driven environment, this is one of the more distinctive gigs in the city. Check Blue Monkey Memphis openings.

J. Alexander's Restaurants , Memphis

J. Alexander's, the upscale-casual concept with a Memphis presence, is among the metro's active full-service recruiters on current job boards. The brand is known for generous portions, an American menu, and a kitchen culture that emphasizes quality and consistency. Both kitchen and service roles are typically listed. Search J. Alexander's Memphis jobs for currently posted positions.

New Openings Adding to the Hiring Pool

Spring 2026 is also adding fresh employer options to the market. The Memphis dining scene is in an active growth phase, with a wave of new concepts either recently opened or nearing launch. Kitchen roles are especially in demand as new kitchens come online. Stomping Grounds, the family-friendly food-and-play concept being built out of the former Railgarten space at 2166 Central Avenue, is aiming for a late summer debut around 901 Day (September 1), with an on-site restaurant component already in operation. The Plate, a Germantown spot serving what its owners describe as "soul food meets Mediterranean," has recently opened and is building its team. Tonica has added a second downtown location, offering Mediterranean-inspired tapas and shareable plates near the Orpheum. Each of these concepts represents potential new job openings as they scale staffing. Keep an eye on server openings in Memphis as these spots post roles.

What This Means for Memphis Food Service Workers

The sheer breadth of Memphis restaurant hiring right now gives workers genuine leverage. Quick-service roles like those at Raising Cane's are posting starting pay near $15 per hour with same-week starts in many cases. Fine-dining positions at spots like The Capital Grille come with benefits packages that rival corporate employers in other industries. And local independents such as The Blue Monkey and Babalu offer a Memphis-specific atmosphere that national chains can't match. Whether you want full-time hours with benefits or part-time weekend shifts around another commitment, the right fit is likely posted right now. The metro's food service sector stretches well beyond Midtown and Downtown: Bartlett, Cordova, Germantown, Southaven, and Olive Branch are all posting openings through the same hiring cycle.

🔎 Search More Memphis Restaurant Jobs Now

The Memphis food and beverage market is hiring across every category and every part of the metro. Use these links to zero in on the role that fits your schedule and experience level.

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