The Zaxby’s Back of House (BOH) Certification is a critical operational milestone for kitchen team members who want to prove their proficiency in Zaxby’s standard operating procedures. This internal exam verifies that employees possess the essential skills required to maintain food safety, quality, and consistency in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. It is designed specifically for new hires completing their initial training phase and existing employees looking to validate their knowledge for advancement opportunities. Passing this certification demonstrates your dedication to delivering the "indescribably good" Zaxby's experience safely and efficiently.
The BOH course involves comprehensive, hands-on training combined with study modules focused on precise kitchen protocols. You will be expected to master every station in the "heart of the house."
The core curriculum covers the following operational areas:
Food Safety and Sanitation
You will learn ServSafe-based principles, including proper handwashing, preventing cross-contamination, managing sanitizer concentrations (using the red buckets), and maintaining correct temperature logs.
Protein Preparation and Handling
This section details the correct methods for prepping Zaxby's famous proteins. You must know the exact procedure for sifting breader, the correct milk wash agitation process, proper breading techniques for Chicken Fingerz, and safe thawing protocols.
Cooking Procedures and Times
You must memorize the precise cook times and temperatures for every item, including Crinkle Fries, Tater Chips, Texas Toast, Spicy Fried Mushrooms, Traditional Wings, and Boneless Wings. You will also learn when to shake the baskets for even cooking.
Quality Control and Hot Holding
You will learn how to verify that products are fully cooked by checking for critical internal temperatures (e.g., 165°F for 15 seconds for chicken). You must also master the standard product hold times under the heat lamps to ensure peak freshness.
Inventory and Traceability
The exam will test your knowledge of Zaxby's mandatory product labeling system. You must know how to use the specific colored dots and understand how long to retain protein case labels for traceability purposes.
The final Zaxby’s BOH Certification exam is a robust assessment designed to ensure operational mastery before you are permitted to work a station alone during peak hours.
Exam Format
The final exam is typically a structured, proctored test administered by a General Manager or a certified trainer. It consists of multiple-choice, true/false, and scenario-based questions that ask you to recall the specific protocols learned during your training. For example, you may be asked to identify the exact internal temperature for a specific product or the proper way to treat held-over bacon.
Passing Score
While specific requirements may vary slightly by franchise, Zaxby’s places an extremely high emphasis on proficiency. You should aim for a score of 80% or 100% to demonstrate complete competency to your management team. Some locations require a perfect score on critical food safety questions.
Time Limits
The exam may be timed to simulate the speed required during real kitchen operations, though the primary goal is knowledge retention. You will generally be given sufficient time to complete the test if you have studied the material thoroughly.
Preparation for the BOH exam is about converting knowledge into muscle memory through a combination of physical practice and mental study.
Actionable Study Strategies
Master the Station Guides: Thoroughly review the physical laminates or digital guides posted at every kitchen station. They contain the step-by-step procedures you will be tested on.
Use Online Flashcards: Create digital flashcards for key temperatures, cooking times, and hold times. Memorizing these exact numbers is crucial for success.
Perform Mock Runs: Practice standard operating procedures (SOPs) during slower shifts or under the supervision of a trainer to refine your technique and speed.
Take Practice Exams: Utilize available resources like a [Zaxby's BOH Certification Practice Exam] to familiarize yourself with the question formatting and identify operational weak areas.
Exam Centers and How to Take the Test
The Zaxby’s BOH Certification is an internal corporate certification administered directly by your restaurant leadership. It is not taken at external facilities like Pearson VUE.
The exam is typically completed digitally on a computer or tablet through Zaxby's internal learning management system (sometimes referred to as ZU or Zaxby’s University) while you are clocked in at your place of employment. Your General Manager will schedule your test once they believe you have completed your training hours and are ready for the final step.
Earning your BOH Certification is the foundation for a rewarding career path at Zaxby's and signals your dedication to professionalism to restaurant management. It validates your technical abilities and makes you an essential asset to the team.
Validating your kitchen skills through this certification unlocks diverse advancement opportunities, potentially leading to specific job titles such as:
Certified Back of House Team Member
Certified Line Cook or Prep Cook
Certified Kitchen Trainer / Shift Lead
BOH Lead / Kitchen Manager
Assistant Manager (Operational Focus)
General Manager
Franchise Operational Specialist
This certification is your first major step toward a leadership future within the Zaxby’s franchise network.
Create an account or log in to unlock full access and continue with this quiz and download the printable pdf with all questions and answers.
