Server Job Description: Duties, Skills and Template
Short answer: A restaurant server greets guests, explains the menu, takes orders, enters them into the POS, serves food and drinks, checks on the table and processes payment. Servers also do side work such as rolling silverware, restocking stations and cleaning their section before and after a shift.
Servers run the guest experience from greeting to check.
Server job description template
Job title: Server
Reports to: Front-of-house or restaurant manager
Summary: Give guests friendly, accurate service from the moment they sit down until they pay.
Duties
Greet guests promptly and introduce the menu, specials and drinks.
Answer questions about ingredients and allergens and pass allergy information to the kitchen.
Take orders and enter them in the POS correctly.
Serve food and drinks, check back within a few minutes and fix problems quickly.
Present the check, process payments and close out tables.
Work with bussers, food runners and the host to keep tables turning.
Complete opening, running and closing side work.
Follow food safety and responsible alcohol service rules.
Skills and requirements
Clear communication and a good memory for orders.
Able to carry trays and stand and walk for a full shift.
Calm under pressure on busy nights.
Available for nights, weekends and holidays.
Minimum age to serve alcohol depends on your state.
Server side work
Side work keeps the floor ready: polishing glasses, rolling silverware, filling condiments and cleaning stations. Use the server side work checklist so duties are split fairly.
How servers are paid
Many servers earn an hourly wage plus tips. Federal law allows a tip credit in some states, but the employer must make sure the employee still earns at least the minimum wage, and several states do not allow a tip credit at all. Servers may share tips through a tip pool or tip-out. See tip pooling rules, the tip credit calculator and service charge vs tip. This is general information, not legal advice.
