The Rutledge – Host / Hostess
The Rutledge is a warm, contemporary Southern-style restaurant in Franklin, TN, known for its welcoming atmosphere, thoughtful service, and exceptional food. As the first point of contact, the Host sets the tone for a memorable dining experience.
Position Overview
As a Host / Hostess at The Rutledge, you will:
- Greet guests with a friendly, genuine smile as they arrive.
- Manage the seating flow to balance wait times and table turnover.
- Handle reservations, waitlists, and phone inquiries with professionalism.
- Maintain a tidy and organized front-of-house area.
- Coordinate closely with servers, bartenders, and kitchen to ensure seamless service.
Key Responsibilities
- Warmly welcome and seat guests using our reservation and TMS systems.
- Provide wait time estimates and manage guest flow smoothly.
- Accept and handle call-ahead or walk‑in reservations over phone or in person.
- Answer incoming calls, redirect inquiries, and assist with to‑go orders or gift card requests.
- Keep host station and lobby neat, replenishing menus and updating displays.
- Collaborate with FOH team: alert servers to guest arrivals, update waitlists, assist with special seating requests.
- Help maintain restaurant ambiance: adjust lighting, music, temperature as needed.
- Advocate for guests: address concerns and escalate issues to management when necessary.
Qualifications
Essential
- Exceptionally warm, engaging demeanor and customer‑centric mindset.
- Excellent communication and phone etiquette.
- Multitasking and time-management skills under a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to stand/walk for most of the shift and lift up to ~25 lbs.
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Preferred
- Prior experience as a host, hostess, greeter, or in a customer-facing role (resort, hotel, hospitality).
- Familiarity with reservation or waitlist systems (e.g. Resy, OpenTable, Hostme).
Compensation & Perks
- Competitive hourly pay: ~$17–$21/hour (Indeed reports average national host pay at The Rutledge is $17.53, significantly above national average) workstream.us+3indeed.com+3williamsonsource.com+3ziprecruiter.com+1indeed.com+1linkedin.comindeed.com+1indeed.com+1.
- 100% of tips received from to‑go orders.
- Free nightly staff meal and generous employee discounts.
- Flexible part‑time/full‑time scheduling.
- Opportunities for advancement into FOH supervisory or management roles.
What We Value
- Hospitality: A genuine dedication to creating welcoming experiences.
- Teamwork: Collaborating fluidly across all service areas.
- Professionalism: Present consistently polished and poised under pressure.
- Integrity: Uphold restaurant standards and enhance guest satisfaction.
How to Apply
Visit Join Our Team on The Rutledge website (www.therutledge.co), choose “Host / Hostess” in the dropdown, and submit your resume along with your availability. We aim to review applications within one week and reach out to strong candidates for an interview.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
Ability to Commute:
- Franklin, TN 37067 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Franklin, TN 37067: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person