Restaurant Maintenance Technician - Columbia, SC and Surrounding Areas
Salary$38/hr
Location202 Bridgeberry Ln Columbia SC 29203
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityEntry
Experience1+ yrs
DepartmentMaintenance
Company size10,000+ people
First seenOct 8, 2026 · 3d ago
Verified live1d ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Must have9
High school diploma or GED equivalent
1+ year of field experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration
1+ year of experience repairing commercial kitchen equipment
EPA or CFC Certification
Strong working knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, and commercial kitchen equipment systems
Basic knowledge of carpentry, plumbing, and intermediate electrical repairs
Ability to prioritize reactive service work, troubleshoot complex issues, and meet SLA timelines
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with restaurant leaders, vendors, and the general public
Valid driver's license and ability to meet Whataburger MVR standards
Nice to have7
HVAC state-certified license
CFESA certification
State-licensed Mechanical Contractor or Journeyman license
Experience supporting multi-unit or restaurant environments
Prior experience in building trades or facilities repair
Familiarity with CMMS or mobile service-ticket systems
Ability to provide guidance or technical support to other technicians
Eligibility1
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and safely work on ladders and rooftops
Skills
HVAC
commercial refrigeration
commercial kitchen equipment
carpentry
plumbing
intermediate electrical
CMMS
mobile service-ticket systems
Benefits
Company vehicle
Gas card
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Paid parental leave
401(k) match
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Short term disability
Long term disability
Career development
Scholarship program
Hardship grant
Tablet and phone
Discounted meals
Wireless discounts
Software discounts
Fitness discounts
Awards and recognition
Retirement celebration
About the company
Welcome to Whataburger Careers!
Areas of Support: Columbia, Lexington, Irmo
Your Recipe for Impact — What You’ll Do
As a Restaurant Maintenance Technician, you keep our restaurants running safely and reliably by diagnosing issues, completing repairs, and restoring equipment and facilities to proper operation across HVAC, commercial refrigeration, kitchen systems, and building components. You ensure work orders are completed accurately, efficiently, and on time to support smooth restaurant operations.
You Make a Difference by minimizing downtime and protecting company assets, Serve with Heart by delivering high‑quality, safe, and precise workmanship that supports Family Members and contributes to great guest experiences, Win as One by communicating clearly and partnering with Restaurant and MSC Leadership, and Move Forward Boldly by using sound judgment, adapting to new technologies, and maintaining organized inventory to deliver effective solutions.
Day-to-Day Ingredients — Responsibilities
As a Restaurant Maintenance Technician, you will:
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Support on average 10 restaurants.
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Work an average of 42 hours per week.
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Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair commercial kitchen equipment, HVAC, refrigeration, and beverage systems.
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Respond to service calls and emergency maintenance needs to restore equipment and facility functionality.
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Complete and document repairs in accordance with work order priority and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
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Total ownership of the restaurant from curb to curb.
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Perform interior and exterior restaurant repairs, including basic carpentry, plumbing, and intermediate electrical work.
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Manage work orders, service documentation, and parts inventory using company systems and mobile technology.
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Communicate effectively with restaurant leadership, maintenance team leadership, and vendors on repair status and next steps.
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Coordinate and supervise third‑party vendors when work is outsourced for cost, timing, or expertise.
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Maintain a clean, organized company vehicle, tools, and work area.
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Support restaurant operations during after‑hours, on‑call, or urgent repair situations, as needed.
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Comply with all company policies, safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
The Sauce — Pay & Perks
As a Restaurant Maintenance Technician, you will receive:
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Base compensation $38/hr; paid weekly
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Bonus Program that scales up to 2.5X payout potential based on company results
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Company Vehicle and gas card provided
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5 weeks of PTO Starting on Day One
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Paid Corporate Holidays
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Paid Parental Leave*
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401(k) match $1/$1 up to 4%
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Competitive Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits*
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Short-term and Long-term Disability Benefits*
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Opportunities for Career Development and Growth
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Whataburger Family Foundation - Scholarship Program (dependents also eligible) and Hardship Grant Assistance
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Tablet and phone provided
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Discounted Meals for You and a Guest
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Wireless Service Discounts
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Computer & Software Discounts
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Fitness / Gym Discounts
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Awards and recognition for all you do
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Retirement Celebration Program
What You Bring to the Table — Required Experience
As a Restaurant Maintenance Technician, you must have:
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High school diploma or GED equivalent (or equivalent work experience).
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Ability to work full-time hours, with on-call rotation once a month, and ability to travel both locally and long distances (including air travel), to worksites, meeting sites, and other locations.
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1+ year of field experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration.
•
1+ year of experience repairing commercial kitchen equipment or equivalent technical education.
•
EPA or CFC Certification.
•
Strong working knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, and commercial kitchen equipment systems.
•
Basic knowledge of carpentry, plumbing, and intermediate electrical repairs.
•
Ability to prioritize reactive service work, troubleshoot complex issues, and meet SLA timelines.
•
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with restaurant leaders, vendors, and the general public.
•
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet Whataburger MVR standards.
•
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and safely work on ladders and rooftops.
Extra Toppings — Desired Experience
As a Restaurant Maintenance Technician, we prefer you to have:
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HVAC state‑certified license.
•
CFESA certification.
•
State‑licensed Mechanical Contractor or Journeyman license (where applicable).
•
Experience supporting multi‑unit or restaurant environments.
•
Prior experience in building trades or facilities repair.
•
Familiarity with CMMS or mobile service‑ticket systems.
•
Ability to provide guidance or technical support to other technicians based on experience level.
Where & How You’ll Work
This role is field based, supporting restaurants across an assigned market or region. You’ll travel frequently to partner with Operations, provide onsite support, and maintain strong relationships with leaders and teams in the field. Success in this role requires full-time availability, flexibility to adjust to evolving operational priorities, and the ability to travel regularly including day trips, overnight travel, and extended market visits. While most travel will occur within your assigned market or region, some out-of-market support may be required based on business needs.
Candidates must reside within the region they support and be able to travel throughout that area as needed.
Our Flavor — Why Whataburger
Whataburger isn’t just a fast-food burger chain it is where bold leadership starts — and where potential doesn’t just grow, it heatsup. Whether you’re leading the line or working behind the scenes, this is the place where opportunities stack up, and every day gives you a chance to Make a Difference.
Since 1950, we’ve invested in people who lead with integrity, Serve with Heart, and bring their best flavor to the team. We believe in working together, speaking up, having a little fun, and Winning as One — because great burgers (and great teams) start with the right ingredients. If you’re ready — to learn, grow, impact, and Move Forward Boldly — we’ve got your back and your path cooked to perfection.
Legal
Whataburger is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, age, or other condition or status protected by law. Whataburger participates in the federal E-Verify Program. For more information go to www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.