SERVER - SERVICE LABOR

POSITION:  Server

FLSA STATUS:  Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR:  MOD

REPORTS:  None

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Food Server is the primary guest care provider. Servers will greet guests, answer questions, take food and beverage orders, deliver completed items, do 2-minute check backs and present accurate guests checks, collect and process payments. Although support staff may be scheduled to assist, primary responsibility for the entire guest experience after seating and up to departure falls to the server.

RESPONSIBILITIES (PRIMARY)

Welcoming Guests

• Within 1 minute of seating, visit the table to acknowledge new guests. This should be done in person but if delayed, either make eye contact and smile to convey recognition or ask another employee to greet you. 

• Greetings should be polite, friendly and professional. Thank the guests for choosing to join us and ask the guests if they have visited before. This will let you know if more time should be taken to familiarize the guest with the menu or if you can jump to specific tasks such as mentioning specials, suggesting starters and requesting a beverage order.

Taking Orders

• This involves listening to guests

• All orders must be written down and repeated back to guest for accuracy

• Asking necessary questions

• Organization

• Timing knowledge

• POS skills

• Suggestive selling techniques and product knowledge. 

Ongoing Services

• Work clean

• Fill condiments and wipe containers

• Pre-buss tables

• Bring additional needed items (such as share plates, soup spoons) before delivering items that need them

• Check back within 2 minutes for accurate order delivery and guest satisfaction.

• Anticipate guest needs

• Stay in the section; look at tables and all guests. 

• Don’t ask, do – bring refills, dessert menus, and additional napkins. 

• For charge items, ask if another is desired at 2/3 completion and again when clearing empty containers. 

• Work with full hands both ways to the kitchen. Don’t drop off plates without checking if you can bring anything out to be restocked.

Finishing the Table

• When it appears that some of the guests are finishing, ask if they would like their empty plates removed.

• If food remains, leave the plate unless they push it away.

• If food remains but they are finished, ask if they would like to go packaging.

• As you clear, offer coffee or other drinks. 

• Bring a menu for desserts and point out the selections. 

• If nothing else is desired, immediately review the written orders and verify all items have been recorded, print the check and leave it at the table, saying you will take it when they are ready. 

• Watch for payment to be presented, pick up, process and return quickly.

• When the payment is picked up, thank the guest for coming in and that you hope they will visit again soon. 

• If payment is made in cash, return change in a mixture of bills that the guest may use for a gratuity if desired. For example, if the change is $10.30, return a five, five ones and the silver. Do not ever ask if change is desired, return it so all decisions are up to the guest. You may choose to round pennies up, never round down. 

• If a card is used, and you know whose card is used, it is a nice touch to thank the guest who pays by name when you return the card and payment slip. 

RESPONSIBILITIES (POS COMPUTER SYSTEM)

• Log on

• Ring guest orders by seat positions

• Enter and time fired items, 

• Complete and accurate guest checks with needed modifiers and add on charges

• Print checks in a variety of configurations

• Enter one of more payment methods

• Close out reporting and reconciliation.

RESPONSIBILITIES (OTHER)

This position needs to have all full working knowledge of hostess, busser and food runner positions. In the absence of these positions, food servers need to be able to provide all services needed after the guest has entered the restaurant until they leave. 

RESPONSIBILITIES (ALL EMPLOYEES)

• All employees are expected to be part of the Total Service experience and look for ways to provide service to guests and as needed, to each other. 

• Provide first-class guest service at all times. 

• Adhere to all restaurant policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent guest service skills, energetic, enthusiastic and motivational. 

• Ability to multitask, grace under pressure, the ability to establish a positive rapport with many types of personalities and the ability to communicate clearly with guests. 

• A sense of balance and physical coordination to handle multiple plates and shifting weights as items are delivered. 

• Chosen employees will be team players and possess the ability to work well with others.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Occasional bending, kneeling, and lifting up to 50 lbs.

• Frequent standing and walking.

• Noise level may be moderate to high at times.

• Indoor and outdoor areas with exposure to the outdoor elements at times.

• Be able to work in a standing position for extended periods of time.

Note:  This job description is intended only as a general guideline of your duties and responsibilities at the Restaurant and is not a legally binding contract.  Clean Plate reserves the right to amend, change or terminate the job description, as it deems appropriate.  Any change amendments, or modifications may be implemented even though they have not been communicated, reprinted or substituted in this job description.