crew member

restaurant staff

shift leader

team member

food preparation worker

Pokeworks

My manager was great with scheduling and flexibility. But the workload compared to other jobs instore was a lot greater per individual. Upper management does not know how it feels to work the line or how to work during a busy day so they disregard crew member's opinions. I opened many of there stores for Franchise and it was so unorganized, I had no idea what I was getting myself into and was thrown in the deep end my entire time there. My first day in 2019 I was thrown in to work the line with no training at all. Same thing when I went out to open new Franchise Restaurants. Numerous mistakes were made from Corporate team and it left my NRO Team to fend for ourselves and solve the situation arose. No training for my new position at all and was just thrown in there to get the job done. When the new Director of Operations came in end of 2021, things got worse. Many of my co-workers were promised raises for increase responsibility but were led on. At the leading Corporate store in Irvine, CA. When they cut the fish they do not put it on ice. I worked closing shifts so I couldn't constantly regulate the morning crew that preps. The Leads and GM that work the morning does not enforce that and raw fish is left out for hours. I personally have gotten stomach aches from eating there and so have many other people I know. BUT if you need a part time job and a college student, its a decent job.

I worked at Pokeworks the entire summer of 2023, and while I learned a lot and it was a decent first job, there were many flaws in the job that could've been improved. For example, the management was not up to par. The store was ran just fine, it was just the pettiness and scheduling of shifts depending on their likability of you that made things difficult. Basically, management was extremely biased in certain employees, especially if they known them for awhile outside of the workplace. The employees always had something to say about someone, focusing on petty high school drama rather than the actual tasks of the job. The training wasn't as organized as I expected, as some employees that were there less time than me had somehow more experience than me despite me attempting my best to learn and execute. We only had ten minutes of break time for 8hr or less shifts, and forty minute breaks for 8hr+ shifts, which wasn't enough time, in my opinion. At least fifteen-twenty minutes would've been nice. The job itself is quite easy, but the bad management is what ultimately made me quit. The pay was quite unfair too, I don't feel as if I was paid enough for my time, but it's decent if you just need some extra cash. Not a bad first job, but it could've been so much better.

Employees come and go like water because of the management. No sense of accountability; people throw blame around rather than fix issues on shift. Management is lazy and hardly there,  doesn't have an understanding of running a business. Things are constantly breaking or missing, customers are always correct (even when wrong), be sure to stick to yourself, or you become a scapegoat for issues. So much fraud going on ( employees taking free food, leaving mid shift staying clocked in & verbal abuse), but when pointed out, it's swept under the rug. But if 3 mins late back from break, it's a write-up. Literally don't do anything you see others doing at work (listen to music, take personal call or sit in between assignment) because the moment you do write up.. Please don't trust the free food policy because even you have seen others give free food to their friends and family on shift, only ever make one free bowl during a 9 hours shift. If you need a quick paycheck this place but don't expect growth. They want a welcome mat not employees.

Let’s start with management. The manager is horrible, all he does is smoke cigarettes spare cigarettes to workers on the job, talk about unrelated things that have nothing to do with bettering the restaurant or expanding and flirt with most of the female customers that walk through the door. He doesn’t treat the workers fairly and his management skills are horrible. 

The Pokēworks overall atmosphere is okay, the place was pretty dirty while working here but we tried to clean it up often considering the fact that this is a new building. They can’t keep any workers here. They sell you that “10$ an hour” title but you get at least 15 hours for 2 weeks. That’s not enough to support your family or buy food for the next week. 

It wasn’t a safe area, there were homeless people walking into our restaurant harassing customers, leaving the bathroom dirty, and hanging out in the restaurant. The manager would give them food but we have to pay full price most of the time.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I really enjoyed the coworkers and the short commute but the parking was iffy

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Communications demanded outside of work. Had to acknowledge every message including that I read him saying “have a good night” Had to like the same exact message every day. I understood the message the first time. If we needed to see it that badly put a poster in the BOH. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Boss was always watching over every single move. Give the employees trust and they will give you trust back. Don’t wait for one of the employees to go to the bathroom to nearly yell at the other employees over losing a dollar after saying “we learn from mistakes and it’s okay to make them”

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Calm during the shift, but always worried about responding to messages off the clock. we should be compensated for that

The job itself it’s relatively laid back, usually not many customers at my location and not too much to do when it’s not busy. However, with only 1-2 people per shift closings can get stressful, especially after a rush. During rush so many dishes pile up, and corporate watches cameras and texts us often to do this and that, although we only have 2 people to keep up with the front and back. Like of course we want to do the big stack of dishes, but we can’t because we have a in person line of orders and 10 door dash orders! Of course we’ve suggested hiring more staff, but corporate is stingy and refuses to spend anymore money. That being said, the hourly pay is decent enough for the job, however keep in mind tips are awful (and we only get it every month). Overall, if you’re looking for a not too busy job where you don’t have to talk too much, this might be for you. It’s not like you’ll easily get hired though, because they’re stingy and won’t hire unless enough people quit lol.

When I first heard I was going to be working for Pokeworks I was absolutely excited. Hate to say they burst all feelings when they undercoverley fires me after one week of working there. Of course upon being hired they make sure you understand that it is an at will employee so no matter what the rapport with your teammates or customers Management can terminate you at anytime for any reason. They made me believe they were willing to help me grow and continue in my passion for food but had the unprofessional audacity to write me a letter saying after watching my work for 4 days 5hr shifts , I was not a good fit and then made excuses like I caught you not wearing gloves, As a leader you should always talk before making a judgements action and resulting in termination. Warning for anyone looking to work here you are not trusted have no integrity and you will be used until they have no use for you anymore and become disposable

With how the company presents itself in the beginning, the job looks great on paper. However they arent forthcoming with certain aspects of the job. They do work with a deep sense of hierarchy and a fraternity feeling. 
I agree with a previous review from this location that there is a lot gossiping amongst the more senior members. However the work isnt overly hard, and majority of the time many members are willing to help. There are great benefits, and they provide more the longer you stay with the team. While majority of the work is towards a more evening shift with no shifts before 11am for FOH members, they are very respectful of requested time off or days you are unavailable. You are kept busy and it helps make the work go by faster.
Overall for a place that isnt a fraternity they do have to keep restating that they aren’t one.

It was disorganized and had a high turnover rate. I would see a new co-worker for one day and then never see them again because they quit. Extremely fast-paced and managers weren't there most of the time. There was a change in management and that was a disaster. Stock wasn't ordered and sometimes things weren't prepared in advanced. I had my shift lead just screaming the next morning because things weren't done properly the night before and sometimes stuff was left out and had gone bad. Shift leads had to train new employees because the managers weren't there. If you work evenings, it probably won't be that busy. The peak time is from around 1pm-2pm.

It’s Great For Short Term/Part Time And The Tips Can Be Good, Besides The Rush Hour Place Is Usually Slow So It’s Easy Money And You Don’t Have To Do Much, Most People Just Stand Around And Talk. Do Not Expect Full Time In The Winter Time Unless You Know Someone Beforehand, Sometimes Hours Be Missing From Checks So That’s A Thing… This Is Little Growth Opportunity Available But It’s There. Once Again It’s Pleasant For Short Term The Longer You Stay The Fishier It Gets, Also There Is A Lot Of Food Safety Issues Just All Around..,

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Crew member 68 salaries reported	$16.06 per hour
Restaurant staff 8 salaries reported	$15.81 per hour
Shift leader 13 salaries reported	$16.63 per hour
Team member 12 salaries reported	$16.17 per hour
Food preparation worker 4 salaries reported	$20.50 per hour

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