What should a restaurant server job description include?

Role summary, concrete duties, must-have skills, schedule expectations, pay structure (hourly + tips), and how to apply. Skip vague “team player” lists.

Server vs food runner — what is the difference?

Servers own the guest relationship and check. Food runners (often under busser/runner titles) move plated food and support timing; they rarely close checks.

How do I write a server JD that attracts good candidates?

Name the concept, shift windows, tip structure, and volume. Honest “what a Friday looks like” beats corporate adjectives.

JOB DESCRIPTION · SERVER

Server job description template

Duties, skills, and a copy-ready template for restaurant servers. A server owns the guest experience from greeting to last check — menu knowledge, timing, upsells that do not feel pushy, and clean handoffs with the kitchen and runners.

Write a JD with AI → Server salary guide

Core duties

Greet guests, take accurate orders, and ring them correctly in the POS
Explain specials, allergens, and pairings without reading a script
Pace courses with the kitchen; fire tickets at the right moment
Maintain sidework (stock, polish, reset) before/during/after shift
Close checks accurately, process tips per house rules, and reset tables

Skills that matter

POS fluency (Toast, Square, Aloha, or equivalent)
Menu and allergen literacy
Upselling that matches guest energy
Shows up on time and communicates when they cannot
Stays calm when the floor or kitchen peaks
Takes feedback without getting defensive

Sample server job posting

Copy, then customize pay, schedule, and concept details before you publish.

We are hiring servers who treat a full section like a craft, not a sprint. You will run tables, communicate with the kitchen, and leave every guest clearer on what we do well.

You need restaurant experience (or a strong FOH internship), reliable transport for close shifts, and the ability to stay kind when a ticket changes mid-fire.

Pay: hourly + tips (tip pool or tip-out rules explained in interview). Schedule posted weekly. Apply with availability that matches our peak nights.

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Frequently asked

What should a restaurant server job description include?: Role summary, concrete duties, must-have skills, schedule expectations, pay structure (hourly + tips), and how to apply. Skip vague “team player” lists.
Server vs food runner — what is the difference?: Servers own the guest relationship and check. Food runners (often under busser/runner titles) move plated food and support timing; they rarely close checks.
How do I write a server JD that attracts good candidates?: Name the concept, shift windows, tip structure, and volume. Honest “what a Friday looks like” beats corporate adjectives.