A US job applicant managed to land himself a new role at a fast food restaurant after preventing a fleeing robber from leaving with cash from the till.

News site Sky News reports Devin Washington was attending a job interview at a branch of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in eastern New Orleans.

Manager Danyanna Metoyer said “a man walked into the restaurant and asked the cashier for some change, before he reached over the counter and put his hand in the change drawer".

Assistant manager Dominique Griffin grabbed the man's arm, but he managed to break free and run for the door.

Metoyer stood in front of him, while Washington grabbed him from behind in a "reverse bear hug".

He and cook Michael Ford then held on to the thief until police arrived, Metoyer added.

Metoyer said she and Griffin had already decided to give Washington the job, but had not had a chance to tell him when the robbery took place.

Police said Pablo Ciscart was arrested on a robbery charge.