Lead Server Job Description

The Benefits of Being a Lead Server in Restaurant Operations

Every aspect of guest service is done by lead server. They help seat guests and give them food. Guests are assisted with making food choices and taking their orders from the kitchen staff.

They make sure that guests have a good experience when they eat the restaurant. The lead server is responsible for resolving any customer issues when managers are unavailable. The lead server is responsible for balancing the cash register at the beginning and end of the shift.

The lead server may be in charge of scheduling the dining room and making sure there is enough waitstaff. Lead server help other server with questions and provide assistance as needed. The lead server may take over if a guest has an issue with the food or service.

The first customer is the lead server. They assign sections to the staff and make sure the dining area is clean, tables are set with fresh linens and the stations are stocked appropriately. They make sure the waitstaff is prepared for service by reviewing the menu.

Employers prefer those with a high school or GED degree to be lead server. Those with food handling permits or server certifications will have a competitive advantage over those with an associate's degree. You should have several years of restaurant serving experience to be considered for the lead server role.

The Lead Waiter in a Restaurant

The lead waiter in a restaurant adds a layer of accountability, support and knowledge for less-experienced staff. The lead waiter is a peer of the waitstaff and is responsible for the training, coordination and details that result in a smooth meal service. Lead server responsibilities include resolving customer complaints when a manager is not present or is busy.

The lead waiter makes sure that an unhappy guest gets his meal properly prepared or modified to his satisfaction. Managing the staff schedule is one of the lead server duties. They assign daily side work for floor staff to make sure the restaurant runs smoothly.

The Employment of Lead Servers in the United States

A lead server is the one who greets guests, seats them at tables and gives them a menu. The lead server takes guests' orders, gives them beverages and takes their menu request to the kitchen staff and chefs. The server prepares the food for the guests.

The lead server makes sure that guests are satisfied until they leave the establishment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects food and beverage services occupations to increase. The growth of the population is expected, but the number of food and beverage establishments providing take-out services may slow the growth of the waiter and waitress.

The Restaurant POS

There are 8. First they know the menu, then they figure out what diners want from it. The server is responsible for taking orders and returning them to the kitchen.

10. When your server knows the menu, they can easily upsell. Train your staff to offer premium cuts of meat.

It will help guests feel like they have been treated fairly, and will help raise your average check size. There are 14. The server is responsible for knowing how to use technology in the restaurant.

Knowing how to use tech makes it easier for them to do their job. Your POS can help you split bills, alert the kitchen of allergies, and track table status. 21.

A Non-verbal Communication Skills for Restaurants

You can switch shifts with other server if you need to work both weekdays and weekends. If a restaurant is understaffed, you might work different hours than you planned. Employers are looking to see if you are willing to help your colleagues.

If another server gets too busy, they might ask you to help with smaller tasks, such assisting them with setting tables or taking their customers' payments at the cash register. Non-verbal communication is a soft skill that helps build a relationship with your customers. A great server has positive body language, proper volume and tone, and appropriate eye contact with customers.

Communication Skills for a Fine Dining Restaurant Server

Being a food server is not easy. The work can be physically demanding. You are on your feet for long shifts, often rushing from table to table, sometimes carrying heavy trays of food.

Being a server requires good memory, diplomacy, and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. Food service can be lucrative and enjoyable. Depending on the clientele, it can be lucrative.

Minimum wage checks are the main checks on some server. Others take home thousands of dollars a month. The skills listed below are universal and can impact your income earning potential, even if you work at a high-end fine dining establishment.

You need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with customers and colleagues as a food server. You need to be able to listen attentively, understand customer concerns, and relay them to the cooks or management effectively. You may need to memorize some of the menu or the history of the restaurant to convey it to customers.

You will be surrounded by people and their demands as a food server. It's easy to get distracted by a loud customer. An interesting conversation with a co-worker or a friendly patron might lead to neglecting your work.