Highway Inn has been serving quality local and Hawaiian food for 75 years. Many of our guests are multi-generational and have been regulars for decades, and we are proud of our role in introducing visitors to Hawaiian cuisine, so expectations are high for consistency and presentation. The expediter job is part cook, part quality control, and responsible for monitoring and managing order flow for dining room, counter-service, and take-out orders. Secondary functions include kitchen prep, cooking, and serving, as needed. A keen eye and effective communication are vital skills for this job, where you’ll need to spot potential problems and work with the kitchen staff to correct issues and relay any guest complaints. We’re looking for detail-oriented problem solvers to fill this role! Duties include:
- Accurately reading incoming customer orders, repeating orders back to wait for staff to confirm accuracy, and expediting orders to appropriate kitchen and/or other back-of-house staff
- Inspecting all items coming out of the kitchen to ensure they are properly prepared to order, presented according to Highway Inn standards, and all food and serving items are free of foreign substances
- Promptly delivering or transferring food to wait staff for delivery to customer
- Quickly and accurately report all complaints and/or service exceptions to the manager on duty so that action can be taken before customer(s) leave the restaurant
- Notifying the manager on duty of needed supplies in a timely manner (e.g. food products, take-out bags, utensils, napkins, etc.)
- Secondary duties may require cooking and preparing a variety of foods on the grill and using other commercial kitchen equipment; putting away and returning thoroughly washed and sanitized kitchen items to their proper location within the restaurant; proper and prompt clearing, cleaning, and restocking of food preparation areas as needed
- General stocking, cleaning and daily maintenance of kitchen and back of house areas
- Assisting co-workers to ensure prompt, high-quality guest service
- May be called upon to assist with serving duties
Company OverviewHighway Inn is an award-winning 75-year-old, third-generation-owned Hawaiian and local food restaurant. We are proud of the food we serve and the exceptional service we extend to every guest. ‘Ohana and aloha are our core values—many of our employees have been with us for more than 20 years and generations of families have been dining with us since we first opened in 1947. Qualifications
- 1 to 2 years cooking experience and serving experience; preferred experience with Hawaiian food and “Hawai‘i local” dishes
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
- Strong attendance record
- Positive attitude
- Team player who is able to multitask efficiently
- Proactive in identifying and anticipating needs and concerns of customers, co-workers and managers
- Able to stand and/or walk continuously for long periods of time, often up to 10 hours a day, in non-temperature-controlled, high-humidity, high-heat environment, working with hot and/or sharp equipment, including steam-emitting equipment
- Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds with or without assistance
- Required to follow both oral and written instruction
- Expected to communicate clearly and efficiently with co-workers and managers
Benefits/Perks
- Closed on all major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s
- Based on hours worked, employees are eligible for:
- Employee discounts
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Paid time off
- Temporary disability insurance
- 401K/Profit sharing
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Since 1947. Family-owned and operated. Highway Inn has been serving authentic Hawaiian family recipes to the people of Oahu since the end of the plantation era. Our Waipahu location is just a few blocks from the original Highway Inn location, founded almost 75 years ago. Our Kaka’ako location is in Urban Honolulu and is popular with locals for business lunches and tourists staying in nearby Waikiki. Serving Hawaiian Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, beer, wine and cocktails, open seven days a week. In September 2025, we launched Tutu's Place at the Bishop Museum, and 1950's themed plantation house / retro diner setting, serving coffee and shaved ice along with our traditional Hawaiian fare and some items unique to the cafe.
Featured on the US and Canadian Food Network Channels. We are women-owned and use ocean-friendly packaging.