Also called: fryer cook
What a fry cook does
A fry cook handles everything that goes in the fryer, from french fries and onion rings to wings, tenders, and fish. You drop, time, drain, season, and plate the food while keeping oil clean, temperatures steady, and the station safe. The job is fast and repetitive, with a lot of heat and grease, so focus and good habits matter. Fry cooks are often the first to learn how a kitchen really works and can move into grill or line cook roles.
Pay snapshot: the BLS reports a national median of $14.85/hr for fast food cooks, and $20.00/hr in the Boston metro. See the full salary breakdown.
Responsibilities
- Operate deep fryers and monitor oil temperature to keep food crisp and safe
- Drop, time, and pull fried items based on the menu's cook times
- Bread, batter, and prep items such as chicken, fish, and vegetables
- Season, drain, and plate fried food immediately for best quality
- Filter, change, and dispose of fryer oil according to schedule and safety rules
- Keep the fry station stocked with frozen product, batter, breading, and seasonings
- Check food for color, crispness, and internal temperature
- Read tickets and coordinate timing with the grill and expo
- Avoid cross contact between allergen items such as shellfish and gluten, where possible
- Clean the fryers, baskets, hood area, and floors regularly to prevent grease fires and slips
Requirements
- Previous fry or kitchen experience is helpful but not always required
- Ability to work in heat and around hot oil safely
- Comfort lifting boxes of frozen product and heavy oil containers
- Food handler card or ServSafe Food Handler certification is often required
- Attention to timing and ability to work quickly
- Reliable attendance for evening, weekend, and holiday shifts
Skills
- Timing multiple fryer baskets
- Oil care and temperature control
- Breading and batter technique
- Burn and grease safety
- Ticket reading
- Cleanliness and sanitation
- Staying focused during repetitive work
Schedule
Fry cooks usually work lunch, dinner, or late-night shifts, with Fridays, weekends, and game days among the busiest.
Fry Cook job posting template
Copy this, replace the bracketed parts, and post it.
Fry Cook - [Restaurant Name], [City] [Restaurant Name] in [City] is hiring a Fry Cook to run our fry station. Our fried [chicken/seafood/appetizers] are a big part of what guests come for, and we need someone who cares about getting them hot and crisp. What you will do: - Operate fryers and cook items to time and temperature - Bread, batter, and prep fried items - Filter and maintain fryer oil - Keep the station stocked, clean, and safe - Work with the grill and expo to get tables their food together What we are looking for: - Kitchen experience preferred, but we will train a motivated beginner - Comfort with heat, speed, and repetitive tasks - Food handler certification (or willingness to get it) - Reliable attendance for [Shift], including weekends What we offer: - [$XX-$XX/hr] plus staff meal - [Benefits, e.g. paid time off, health insurance] - Training on other stations and a path to line cook Apply by emailing [email] or visit [Address] between [Hours].
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