Host pay is a joke - Anonymous employee Applebee's Employee Review

3.0
May 6, 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

*50% discount on certain foods( no desserts or kid meals) * allowed to talk to coworkers when it's slow *can grab a quick bite when it is slow as long as higher ups aren't present * simple uniform *very lax piercing policy for a restaurant * easy to make friends with coworkers and regulars

Cons

* management doesn't do anything about servers getting attitudes with the hosts * you only make $3/hour plus tip share * max tip out per server is $12 for days, and $20 for nights. This doesn't change regardless of how many servers show up for the shift, or how many hosts are scheduled, meaning it is very easy to make under minimum wage as a host. * It's very easy to get cheated out of money on paychecks as a host if you aren't keeping track of tip outs and hours worked. * higher ups worry more about labor costs than having a smooth and efficient shift *corporate inspections are a nightmare. You basically have to be dying or have 300% labor to be allowed to leave regardless of scheduled time out. * lots of favoritism * very difficult to move up from within the company unless you kissed butt/ walked on eggshells around upper management.

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5.0
May 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of shift opportunities to make additional money

Cons

Fast paced and very overwhelming

2.0
Jun 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Short drive, Half off food, Will work with you with your schedule.

Cons

GM unprofessional. Not appreciated for your experience and what u can bring to the table. Tips were poor. Poor customer base. Antiquated POS. No patience to train properly. Are bullies. Heating and AC do not work properly. Extreme favoritism. Do not recommend. Oh and if you didn't make your sales quota, u were told you would lose hours. If a table walked out without paying, they made u pay the difference. Callous, unprofessional, employees came last. Sales is all that matters.

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