Tulsa Restaurant Jobs 2026: Who's Hiring Across the Metro

Published May 9, 2026 | LocalJobPage Team

Tulsa's food and beverage scene is one of the metro's steadiest job engines heading into summer 2026, and right now it is firing on all cylinders. More than 160 restaurant positions are listed on major job boards in the Tulsa area, and 57 new hospitality positions were posted in just the last 10 days alone, signaling demand that shows no sign of slowing. The mix spans chain casual dining, locally owned independents, tribal resort kitchens, and a handful of buzzworthy new concepts — giving job seekers at every experience level a real shot at landing something this month. Browse open positions right now at restaurant jobs in Tulsa.

Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse & the Casual Dining Giants

The national casual dining chains anchoring South Tulsa and Broken Arrow malls remain among the metro's most active restaurant hirers. Outback Steakhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Olive Garden all appear among the top companies actively recruiting server talent in Tulsa right now. LongHorn Steakhouse at 9111 E. 71st Street posted a server opening as recently as March 2026, and Olive Garden carries active listings at both its South Memorial and Utica Square locations. These chains tend to offer defined advancement tracks: more than half of Olive Garden's managers are promoted from hourly positions, making entry-level roles a genuine career starting point. Pay for server roles is variable plus tips; kitchen and prep roles at these locations typically start in the range of $13–$15 per hour according to current postings. Search LongHorn Steakhouse jobs or Olive Garden jobs to see what's open today.

Fast-Casual & Quick Service: Raising Cane's, Five Guys, Chick-fil-A & More

Raising Cane's is hiring immediately for restaurant crew to work all shifts: opening shifts, closing shifts, and everything in between. Five Guys, Chick-fil-A, and Waffle House also carry active crew postings across the Tulsa metro. ZipRecruiter currently lists more than 300 fast food openings in Tulsa, OK, ranging from team member and cashier to shift leader and assistant manager. Fast-casual management roles in this segment typically pay in the range of $14–$20 per hour depending on experience and location, according to current postings — a meaningful step up from entry crew rates. These roles are often entry-level and can provide valuable experience for those new to the workforce. Search Raising Cane's jobs or fast food jobs in Tulsa for the full list of openings.

Downtown & Independent Dining: Juniper, Albert G's, Nola's & Local Favorites

Tulsa's independent restaurant scene is competing hard for talent this spring. Juniper, downtown Tulsa's award-winning farm-to-table restaurant, is seeking server assistants to support its front-of-house team. Albert G's Bar & Q in downtown Tulsa is actively recruiting servers, while Nola's Creole and Cocktails is seeking experienced front-of-house and bar staff. 1925 at The Mayo Hotel is also hiring hosts and hostesses for part-time evening and weekend shifts in a fine dining setting. Pay at upscale independents varies widely by role and tip volume, but the average salary across hospitality roles in Tulsa runs around $36,900 per year or roughly $17.70 per hour, according to current industry data. Browse bartender jobs and fine dining jobs in Tulsa to see the independent market.

Tribal & Gaming Hospitality: Cherokee Nation Entertainment & Muscogee Nation

Tulsa's tribal entertainment venues continue to be among the metro's most consistent food service employers, with large resort-scale kitchens and dining rooms that need full staffs year-round. Cherokee Nation Entertainment operates as one of the most prominent tribal enterprises in the United States, running retail, gaming, and entertainment operations that include multiple dining outlets. Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises also appears on current server hiring lists for the Tulsa area. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, in nearby Catoosa, operates food and beverage across a resort campus and recruits steadily for kitchen, bar, and dining room roles. These venues often offer benefits packages not common in independent dining, including health coverage and paid time off for full-time team members. Find openings at Cherokee Nation jobs and Hard Rock Tulsa jobs.

First Watch, Waffle House & the Breakfast and Brunch Segment

First Watch Restaurants is hiring in Tulsa and offers a 50% meal discount for employees and their spouse and dependent children at all company restaurants. The daytime dining brand, which operates breakfast, brunch, and lunch hours only, has become an attractive option for workers who want evenings free. Waffle House carries multiple Tulsa-area postings as well, with a reputation for promoting crew into management quickly. The breakfast segment is a standout for applicants who prefer daytime-only schedules, and starting pay at these concepts typically falls in the range of $12–$15 per hour for crew roles plus tips where applicable, according to current listings. Search First Watch jobs to apply directly.

New Restaurant Openings Adding to the Hiring Pool

A new local concept joined the Tulsa dining scene this month. Tim Rucker, a native Tulsan who spent decades in the New York City restaurant scene, opened The Helen on May 6 , a breakfast and brunch spot named after his late grandmother. The restaurant is located on Route 66 at 1306 E. 11th St. in the Meadow Gold District, and seats 60 guests. Hours run 7 a.m. to 2:29 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, with plans to expand. Openings in the Bixby River District and in Owasso are also surfacing, reflecting suburban dining growth across the metro. New openings frequently mean the most accessible hiring windows, as operators need full teams from day one. Check server jobs in Tulsa and kitchen crew jobs as new listings appear.

What This Means for Tulsa Food Service Job Seekers

The breadth of this hiring moment is its defining feature. Openings extend well beyond Tulsa proper, with active restaurant hiring in Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, and Jenks , meaning commute-friendly options exist across the metro. Entry-level opportunities with on-the-job training are common, making Tulsa a strong market for newcomers to the industry. Workers who have held any customer-facing role , retail, hospitality, or caregiving , will find their skills transfer directly to restaurant hiring managers who prize communication and reliability above all else. Full-time candidates should ask about benefits enrollment at the interview stage; chains like Olive Garden offer medical, dental, and 401(k) with employer match after one year, while tribal employers often extend comparable packages to part-time workers who meet hour thresholds.

🔎 Search More Tulsa Restaurant Jobs Now

The Tulsa metro has hundreds of open food service positions right now, from quick-service crew to kitchen management. Use these direct links to find your next role:

• All restaurant jobs in Tulsa
• Cook and kitchen jobs in Tulsa
• Server jobs in Tulsa
• Bartender jobs in Tulsa
• Restaurant manager jobs in Tulsa

📢 Employers: Reach Tulsa Job Seekers

Post your open restaurant positions directly to LocalJobPage.com and connect with thousands of active food service candidates across the Tulsa metro and surrounding suburbs. Register as an employer today and start receiving qualified applicants.