Example Restaurant Server Job Description (2022)

Free restaurant server job description. A server (or restaurant server) is a professional that works at a food establishment or alcoholic establishment. They are the professionals responsible for taking orders from customers and ensuring their food or beverages get delivered. The server assists with seating, payments, customer service, and other responsibilities of ensuring that each patron is receiving quality service.

A server can be referred to as a restaurant server, banquet server, food server, waitress, or waiter.

What does a restaurant server do?

A restaurant server acts as a conductor between the restaurant patrons and the kitchen staff. Servers assist customers by taking their meal orders, drink orders, and serving their dining experience.

They ensure that tables are ready for customers. And that customers are served their beverages, alcoholic drinks, and meals in a timely fashion.

Restaurant server education and training

On-the-job training is often provided to restaurant servers. Restaurant servers generally don't require a college degree or bachelor's degree.

Many states require the restaurant server is above the age of 21 in order to serve alcohol to customers.

Required skills

The following skills are required of servers:

• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Coordination skills.
• Teamwork capacity.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Knowledge of point-of-sale systems.
• A high degree of stamina to work on your feet.
• In-depth knowledge of alcohol, winery, and more.

Average salary

The average hourly wage for a restaurant server is $11.70 to $13.50. This doesn't include additional compensation from customers.

Restaurant Server Job Description Sample

Below is a sample restaurant server job description. Use this job description to write a job advertisement or job posting.

Restaurant Server Job Brief

Our food establishment and restaurant are seeking qualified and passionate restaurant servers who can help our patrons experience world-class dining quality and dining experience. Servers will help customers with food orders, show patrons the food and beverage menu, and coordinate with staff. They ensure each patron is served a beverage along with a high-quality meal on time.

Restaurant Server Duties and Responsibilities

Below are sample job duties and server responsibilities:

• Assist with seating patrons in the dining room and start their meal service.
• Provide food menus to each patron.
• Take customer orders for food and beverages. Write down food and drink orders.
• Hold high-quality service standards and ensure food preparation is ready to consume.
• Submit beverage orders to the bartender. Help the bartender with drink orders.
• Answer questions about a menu item for customers.
• Greet customers when they enter the restaurant.
• Provide information on daily specials.
• Work with a busboy to clear tables and place new flatware after customers finish their meal.
• Communicate customer food orders with the kitchen staff.
• Greet customers, present food menus, and explain meals or daily specials to customers.
• Answer questions related to the meal, menu, or other item suggestions.
• Take food and beverage orders from customers.
• Relay food and beverage orders from the customer to the kitchen staff.
• Prepare drinks and garnishes.
• Set up dining areas, refill condiments, ensure clean dishes, and stock service areas.
• Remove dirty dishes, glassware, and other tableware once the customer is finished with their meal.
• Ensure prepared food is brought from the kitchen to each patron's table in a timely manner.
• Explain the chef's specialties to patrons. Assist with identifying appropriate wines to pair with food.
• Adhere to relevant health department rules and regulations. Follow customer service guidelines.
• Process credit card payments on behalf of customers.
• Create a warm environment when serving food. Ensure guests are happy at all times. And provide a great experience for staff and guests. Make sure meals are served warm.
• Provide communication that helps in identifying patrons special dietary restrictions.
• Adhere to sanitation and alcohol beverage control policies.
• Operate a point of sale system, placing orders and closing out orders.
• Be inviting patrons into the dining room, starting the dining process.
• Answer food preparation questions. And make sure you're delivering patrons choices of sides, preparation styles, and more.

Restaurant Server Requirements

Below are the job requirements for a restaurant server. Qualified candidates should have the following:

• Must be 21 years of age to serve alcohol (optional).
• Previous work experience in the restaurant industry.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Food safety training considered a plus.
• An associate degree in culinary studies or food and hospitality management is a plus.
• Customer service skills, interpersonal skills, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to coordinate meal service with each person and employee that is part of the restaurant staff during rush hours.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment. Able to execute excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Experience with a point-of-sale (POS) system.

Restaurant Server Job Resources

Resources for job seekers and employers.

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• RestaurantZone
• PoachedJobs
• Hcareers
• HospitalityOnline
• Proven
• Workpop
• Book: The Encyclopedia of Restaurant Training: A Complete Ready-to-Use Training Program for All Positions in the Food Service Industry
• Association: Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals
• Book: Presenting Service: The Ultimate Guide for the Foodservice Professional
• The National Restaurant Association

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