Latest Headlines on OCRegister.com
[x] Close
Handling Hard Times ~ Understanding and coping with the economic slowdown.
« Previous Post
Next Post »

Bob's Big Boy sees steady stream of job applicants

June 29th, 2009, 11:14 am · 9 Comments · posted by Mary Ann Milbourn

bigboybloglinkpic-copyAbout 50 people lined up outside the new Bob's Big Boy in Orange today, the first day the restaurant is taking applications to fill about 150 jobs.

A steady stream of applicants continued to arrive at the new store at 1623 W. Katella Ave. as the day wore on.

The applicants ranged from teens looking for a part-time job to experienced workers who have been laid off.

Joel Booras, 61, of Buena Park, was one of the latter.  He lost his job in customer service a year ago and has been unable to find other work.

If he gets hired by Bob's Big Boy, it would bring his career full circle.  His first job in 1961 was with the Bob's Big Boy in Pasadena.  He worked his way up the ranks for 20 years before leaving the company after Marriott bought it.

With his unemployment insurance running out next month, he said he's not particular about what position he gets at the restaurant.

"I just need to work," Booras said.

Lynette Watts of Irvine, is trying to get back into the job market after four years as a stay-at-home mom. She said she wanted to apply at Bob's Big Boy because she remembers how much she loved it when she was a child.

"I'm so happy they are back," she said.  "It's so nostalgic."

Other applicants, like many workers these days, already have jobs, but can't make ends meet because of low pay or reduced hours.

That's the situation Jackie Porter finds herself in.  The Yorba Linda resident currently works as a server at the Diamond Club at nearby Angel Stadium in Anaheim and would like to get a second job at Bob's Big Boy.

She said the restaurant job would be more secure, noting her work at the Diamond Club is seasonal and the hours are limited.  She thinks Bob's Big Boy offers a better prospect for income from tips.

"I think (Bob's Big Boy) is popular, old-style and I think it's going to be busy," Porter said.

Bobby Sawhney, the owner of the restaurant, said he will be accepting applications between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the next three weeks. He is looking for servers, cooks, kitchen assistants and managers.

The restaurant, which is in the Stadium Promenade shopping center across from the theaters, is due to open in five weeks, Sawhney said.

Did you miss these other items on jobs and the economy ...

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
Posted in: Economy • • • •
 
ADVERTISEMENT

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Reader Comments
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement.
  1. Keep it civil and stay on topic.
  2. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks.
  3. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.

 9 Comments

  • Chris says:
    June 29, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Hmmmmmmm, how many will be legal citizens when it's all said and done....

  • Margaret says:
    June 29, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    Were suppose to be feeling like the economy is getting better but 50 people show up to apply for these jobs and many are over qualified what does that tell you. People are desperate for work.

  • Bob Holt says:
    June 29, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    Just go through E-verify when you hire your help and I will be one of your first customers.

  • Heavy Sigh says:
    June 29, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Sure hope Joel Booras gets hired, seems like a stand up guy.

    Props to all of you who managed to turn this into an illegal alien thing, it was a stretch but you may just pull it off what with this being the OC and all . . . .

  • Darius says:
    June 29, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    This is sad, these types of jobs are not going to give anyone a quality lifestyle. Applaud these people for trying, but jobs like these just are just going to pay basic bills. OC needs high paying employment to give some of these people a shot at a better life. The cost of living in OC requires higher pay.

    • Troy says:
      June 29, 2009 at 6:29 pm

      Whoever said working at a burger stand offered a six figure income and a company car??? What a silly thing to think that every job in OC has to come with a six figure salary in some office tower in Irvine with a cheesy leased Lexus waiting for you in the parking lot.

      But working at a burger stand, especially a good one like Bob's Big Boy, does offer you an entry level wage for entry level work while it teaches you how to be a good employee and be profesional. These jobs are great for college kids or spouses earning a second income. And because the economy is so bad, plenty of people line up to get a shot at them.

      But I don't think any of these applicants are expecting much more than minimum wage and a shot at moving up while they go to college and advance in their lives. Good for them for applying!

      • Tom says:
        June 29, 2009 at 7:53 pm

        Right on!

      • snarf says:
        July 1, 2009 at 1:22 pm

        "But I don’t think any of these applicants are expecting much more than minimum wage and a shot at moving up while they go to college and advance in their lives. Good for them for applying!"

        Most or all of the people in the photograph appear to be over 30; the gentleman interviewed is 61. It's unlikely these individuals are looking for a shot at "moving up while they go to college and advance their lives".

  • Earle says:
    June 29, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    In many ways, Bob's Big Boy never left, sir. He's always offered the same high-quality meals at competitive prices.