Thousands expected to apply for Sizzler jobs

To passersby, the fancy recreation vehicle parked in the Kmart shopping center Hesperia could have been carrying rock stars or NASCAR drivers. The truth was almost as exciting, however, as Sizzler Restaurant job recruiters set up shop in front of the location the company shut down a year ago.

“For us it’s very exciting,” said Diana Madriz, marketing coordinator for BMW Management, which operates Sizzler and its affiliate, Richie’s Diner. “A lot of people are saying, ‘It’s amazing you guys are reopening again.’”

Certainly those who are out of work are happy the restaurant, which for years was one of Hesperia’s most popular eateries, will be reopening its doors..

“The application process has been very good so far,” said director of operations Ken Jay. “We’re expecting 3,000 applicants.”

The Sizzler job fair was scheduled to begin on Tuesday at 8 a.m. and run to 4 p.m, but the large number of job seekers changed that.

“The line started forming at 6, and we started taking applications an hour early, at 7,” he said.

“We’ve got at least 500 applications so far,” Madriz said around 1 p.m. “It’s very exciting.”

According to Madriz, the restaurant will employ 75 to 80 employees. Available positions include hosts and hostesses, busing services, wait staff, cooks and managers.

“It’s pretty much open right now,” she said. “We have very good candidates. It’s great. I love it.”

Hesperia resident Johnny Beale, who recently moved from Hawaii, is hoping to get any position at the Sizzler.

“I’ll take whatever’s available,” said Beale, who is currently unemployed.

Resident Mary Thornton, who is currently volunteering at a local food bank while she is between jobs, also is flexible.

“Cashier, waitress, cook — whatever they have going on I’ll take,” she said.

The Hesperia Sizzler, which is undergoing an extensive remodeling, is expected to open in mid-December, according to Madriz.