What Does A Restaurant Server Do? 10 Responsibilities

A restaurant server—also known as a waiter or waitress—is the primary point of contact with a restaurant’s customers, responsible for ensuring that diners enjoy their dining experience. There were 2,600,500 waiters and waitresses employed in the U.S. in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Servers are employed in every type of restaurant, from humble mom and pop lunch counters to fast food chains to the fanciest of white tablecloth fine dining establishments.

If you’re wondering what restaurant servers do and how they do it, keep reading.

First things first: while a restaurant server’s responsibilities vary depending on the type of restaurant they work at, their primary duties are to take customer orders and deliver food and drinks. Their main priority is the customer experience. Accordingly, they must be “on” all the time and ready to build relationships with guests.

A restaurant server doesn’t need any formal education. However, on-the-job training is almost always required, and restaurant operations classes are available for servers wanting to upskill.

what does a restaurant server do

What do restaurant servers do? Here are 10 responsibilities they carry from day to day.

Servers should

know the menu

well enough to help diners make an informed meal choice—and to upsell when possible.
Restaurant servers should be

well-organized

. Being well presented, keeping track of tables, and remembering orders requires focus and concentration.
Waiters and waitresses

inform the kitchen and bar

of customer’s choices, as well as of any special dietary needs or special requests.
Greet customers and

build a positive customer experience

from when they sit down until the bill is paid.
Waitstaff are responsible for

front of house tasks

like setting tables, removing dinnerware, replenishing utensils and refilling glasses.
Restaurant servers are also responsible for

cleaning up tables and dining areas

, as well as tidying up any spills.
Servers must

process sales

and bring the check to customers at appropriate times.
A server

needs to be trustworthy

as they determine total charges, issue the check, take payment, give the check and payment to the host or manager, and return a customer’s credit card, signature slip, and any change.
Servers must know all of a restaurant’s

sanitation, safety, and alcohol policies

. A

health inspection

could happen any day, and restaurant servers need to make sure they

aren’t committing any violations

.
Communication
between servers to chefs and hosts on meal progression times is also key in keeping the restaurant running efficiently.

Need tips on how to hire, train, and retain the best servers? Download the free Staff Management Guide.

On top of that, server sidework is a crucial component of any restaurant server’s duties. Sidework is all the little jobs that keep a restaurant running smoothly and is performed before, during, and at the end of a shift.

Common sidework includes (but isn’t limited to) cleaning service areas; updating specials boards; refilling table condiments; refilling salt and pepper shakers; tidying menus; lighting candles; restocking beverage and server stations; setting tables with silverware, napkins, and glassware; laundering linen; sweeping and vacuuming; and getting ice for the bar.

In restaurants where menus change regularly, restaurant servers will meet with managers or kitchen staff prior to their shift to go over the day’s offerings. Typically they will discuss any specials, how the food is prepared, and any potential allergens in the ingredients.

Remember: Everything servers do is integral to the dining experience. They should be attentive, able to read customers’ personalities and moods quickly and accurately, tailor their service style in response, and offer knowledgeable suggestions—particularly about food and beverage pairings.

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