Host

The Ugly Duckling Dayton
Pay: $13/hour + Tips

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Host is often the first and last person our guests interact with and plays an important role in keeping the restaurant organized and welcoming.

The Ugly Duckling is a small, independently operated breakfast and lunch restaurant. We work as a team, and the Host helps keep the front of the restaurant running smoothly by greeting guests, managing seating and wait times, maintaining the dining area, and supporting the rest of the team during service.

This is an active position. A Host should be paying attention to the dining room, the door, waiting guests, tables that need cleaned, and where the team needs help — not simply standing at the host station.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Guest Service & Seating

• Greet guests promptly and make them feel welcome.
• Manage the waitlist and seat guests efficiently and fairly.
• Provide accurate estimated wait times when the restaurant is busy.
• Understand the dining room layout and balance seating between servers whenever possible.
• Communicate with servers and management before seating sections that may be overwhelmed.
• Answer basic questions about the restaurant, menu, hours, carryout, and other guest needs.
• Thank guests as they leave and help create a positive final impression.
• Communicate guest concerns or unusual situations to a manager.

Dining Room & Restaurant Flow

• Monitor tables and recognize when they are ready to be cleared and cleaned.
• Bus, wipe, sanitize, and reset tables so they are ready for the next guests.
• Keep the entrance, waiting area, host station, and dining room clean and organized.
• Keep menus and other guest materials clean, organized, and stocked.
• Help maintain an accurate understanding of which tables are occupied, available, or being cleaned.
• Communicate with servers, bussers, cooks, and management to keep service moving efficiently.
• Pay attention to guests who may be waiting for assistance and help connect them with the appropriate team member.

Supporting the Team

When hosting responsibilities are under control, Hosts are expected to assist with other restaurant needs.

This may include:

• Bussing and resetting tables.
• Running food to guests.
• Refilling waters or assisting with simple guest requests.
• Stocking FOH supplies.
• Organizing menus and service areas.
• Assisting with carryout orders.
• Sweeping and maintaining dining-room floors.
• Taking trash or dishes to the appropriate areas.
• Helping servers and other team members during busy periods.
• Completing assigned opening, during-shift, side-work, and closing duties.

Your role is your primary responsibility — not your only responsibility.

CLEANLINESS & SAFETY

Hosts are expected to:

• Maintain clean tables, seating, floors, entrances, and guest areas throughout the shift.
• Clean as you go rather than allowing messes to accumulate.
• Follow restaurant sanitation and food-safety procedures.
• Immediately clean or report spills and other safety hazards.
• Notify management of damaged furniture, equipment, or unsafe conditions.
• Wash hands and follow proper hygiene practices when transitioning between cleaning and food-service tasks.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

A successful Host at The Ugly Duckling is:

• Friendly and comfortable interacting with guests.
• Dependable and on time.
• Attentive and aware of what is happening around them.
• Able to communicate clearly with guests and coworkers.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced restaurant.
• Able to remain calm and professional when there is a wait.
• Organized and capable of keeping track of multiple tables and parties.
• Willing to clean, bus tables, run food, and help coworkers.
• Able to take direction and feedback professionally.
• Someone who takes initiative instead of waiting to be told what needs to be done.

Previous restaurant experience is helpful but not required. We are willing to train someone who is dependable, friendly, attentive, and willing to work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the ability to:

• Stand and move for extended periods.
• Walk frequently throughout the restaurant.
• Bend, reach, and perform repetitive restaurant tasks.
• Carry dishes, bus tubs, food, and restaurant supplies as needed.
• Safely perform normal cleaning and restaurant duties.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals as required by applicable law.

THE STANDARD

Hosting isn't just about seating people.

A strong Host knows what is happening in the restaurant. They see the guest walking through the door, the table that needs cleaned, the server who needs a hand, and the party that's been waiting — and they respond.

We expect every Host to help create a restaurant that feels welcoming, organized, clean, and cared for.

Take care of our guests. Take care of the restaurant. Take care of each other. Pay attention to the details.