H

Houchens Industries

Diversified employee-owned holding company

Carhop

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
No salary listed
Entry
Columbia, KY, USA
In Person
Food Service & HospitalityDining, Bar & Counter Service

About the job

Requirements
  • Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
  • Must be at least 16 years old.
  • Must have effective communication skills and basic math and reading skills.
  • Must be able to follow directions and multitask.
  • Must be able to work irregular hours, nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Must comply with Sonic policies and procedures and applicable health and sanitation laws and regulations.
  • Must successfully complete and follow requirements of STAR certification and other Sonic training programs.
  • Must be able to stand, bend, stoop, lift, stretch, and frequently lift overhead while staging, preparing, or packaging menu items and cleaning.
  • General knowledge and understanding of the restaurant industry or retail operations is required; quick-service restaurant experience is preferred but not required.
  • Must complete pre-employment background and drug screening.
  • If working full time, defined as averaging 30 or more hours, must be able to work 38–45 hours weekly; part-time employees may work no more than 29 hours weekly.
Responsibilities
  • Perform assigned crew-member duties, including order taking, carhop service, skating carhop service, food and drink preparation, cooking, packaging, serving, sales transactions, and cleaning equipment, buildings, and grounds safely, efficiently, and professionally.
  • Perform duties in basic stations as needed, including Fountain and Frozen, Dresser, Front Swamp, Back Swamp, Grill, Switchboard, Expeditor, Food Prep, Carhop, Skating Carhop, and Drive-Thru, ensuring menu items meet standards for preparation, portion control, temperature, packaging, appearance, presentation, taste, and service.
  • Provide help and support to other crew members and managers when assigned duties are complete.
  • Operate the switchboard, record customer orders, and repeat orders clearly and understandably.
  • Operate the Drive-Thru window and sales register, and make accurate change quickly and efficiently.
  • Prepare fountain drinks and ice cream items.
  • Prepare food by cutting and chopping food items and cooking on the grill or in fryers.
  • Prepare food orders within a 3–4 minute timeframe.
  • Package menu items into bags or trays and place drink orders into drink carriers.
  • Serve customers efficiently in the Drive-Thru and other basic stations as needed.
  • Move food products weighing up to 50 pounds into the freezer and onto shelves stacked from floor to ceiling.
  • Dispose of trash by transporting bags outside to dumpsters.
  • Clean all areas of the drive-in, including sweeping, mopping, washing dishes, wiping countertops, sanitizing, cleaning restrooms, policing the patio and parking lot, and emptying used grease.
  • Frequently wash and sanitize food areas, food-preparation tools, and hands.
  • Instruct crew members about the importance of prioritizing guests’ needs.
  • Respond promptly and respectfully to guest requests, report complaints to an immediate supervisor, and assist in resolving complaints.
  • Immediately report guest or employee accidents to a member of the drive-in management team.
  • Monitor the working environment for potential employee issues and report issues to a member of the management team.
  • Wear the required uniform and personal protective equipment specified in the operations manual.
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned or required.
Desired Qualifications
  • Quick-service restaurant experience is preferred but not required.

About the company

Houchens Industries is a 100% employee-owned holding company operating subsidiaries in construction, manufacturing and distribution, retail, healthcare, and insurance. Its businesses include road and building construction, motion-control and masonry products, retail fixtures, fencing, beverages, grocery and pharmacy stores, eyewear, and insurance coverage. What sets Houchens Industries apart is its ESOP structure, giving thousands of employees ownership stakes. The goal is to build long-term value for employee-owners through diversified acquisitions.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Bowling Green, Kentucky

Founded

1944

Get referred to Houchens Industries

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Houchens Insurance Group reached $100 million revenue in May 2025.
  • Houchens announced a 10-year WKU athletic district plan on October 27, 2025.
  • New subsidiaries like H.H. Barnum broaden manufacturing exposure and reduce category dependence.

What critics are saying

  • Acquisition integration failures from 2025-2026 deals can damage cash flow and ESOP value.
  • Heavy dependence on dealmaking makes 2026 growth vulnerable if targets dry up.
  • A large grocery or insurance write-down would hit employee ownership and senior leadership credibility.

What makes Houchens Industries unique

  • Houchens runs a 100% employee-owned ESOP across retail, manufacturing, construction, and insurance.
  • Jordan White joined in February 2026 to source acquisitions and investment opportunities.
  • Houchens keeps buying niche operators like Business Benefits and Pet Food Centers.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • 401(k) Company Match

Company News

The Business Journals
Sep 4th, 2024
Houchens acquires industrial supply manufacturer

The company continues to diversify its corporate portfolio.

Bowling Green Daily News
Jan 12th, 2023
Betty Jean Covey | Obituaries | bgdailynews.com

Betty retired from Houchens Industries.

The Business Journals
Dec 20th, 2022
Air Hydro Power to be acquired by Houchens Industries

Bowling Green, Kentucky-based Houchens Industries Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Louisville-based Air Hydro Power Inc.

WBKO
Dec 6th, 2022
Houchens Industries, Inc., partners announce $420,000 ‘Bridge the Gap’ funds awarded

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - The “Bridge the Gap” program launched by Houchens Industries, Inc. and community partners, in partnership with United Way of Southern Kentucky, has now disbursed nearly $420,000 to assist those impacted by the tornadoes in December of 2021.

The Lane Report
Dec 5th, 2022
Houchens Industries promotes Patrick Coleman to VP of Finance and CFO

Chairman and CEO, Dion W. Houchins is pleased to announce the promotion of Patrick Coleman to the position of Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Houchens Industries, Inc.