Common Restaurant Jobs

It is easy for a restaurant owner to want to do everything yourself, from the cooking to the marketing to the bookkeeping to repairs and maintenance and more. However, trying to do everything, whether out of financial concern or simply because you don’t think anyone can do it “right” will quickly run you and possibly your business into the ground. 

Executive Chef/ Kitchen Manager

Head Chef Cooking On Hob In Well Stocked Restaurant Kitchen
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It is the head chef. He is the guy (or girl) who creates the specials, orders the foods, and works as the general manager of the kitchen. He probably does the scheduling, the hiring, and the firing of kitchen staff, as well. A good candidate for the executive chef position is normally filled by someone with several years of cooking and restaurant management experience.

Restaurant Manager

Dedicated restaurant manager polishing glasses before service.
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Restaurant managers have a number of responsibilities in the day to day business of running a restaurant. Qualifications required to be a restaurant manager include basics, such as people skills and organization. However, depending on the size and concept of a restaurant, candidates may need a degree in business or hospitality. 

Server

Couple dining, paying server with digital tablet credit card swiper at restaurant table
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A restaurant server is the customer service rep for your restaurant. A good restaurant server can convert any customer into a regular, while a poor server can just as easily turn customers away. A restaurant server job description can include many different duties beyond just serving food. 

Bartender

Bartender shaking a cocktail shaker while standing at the bar
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The bartender is the top position of the front of house staff. Depending on the type of restaurant, the bartender may be responsible for getting the rest of the staff drinks for their tables (service bar) as well as the serving of customers who choose to eat at the bar. 

Host

Restaurant hostess taking reservations
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The general job of a restaurant host is to meet, greet, and seat customers. Therefore it is an excellent entry-level job for someone without a lot of restaurant experience (or any). The host should be friendly and courteous, as well as organized and comfortable multi-tasking, knowing how to handle busy shifts.

Dishwasher

Young dishwasher working at a restaurant kitchen
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Usually, an entry-level position, the dishwasher is often the most underrated position in the whole restaurant. Beyond the obvious of washing dishes, other duties include washing floors, cleaning bathrooms, and other small maintenance tasks. While dishwashing isn’t most people’s dream job, it is one of the most important- after all, if the dishwasher doesn’t show up for their shift, it can bring your restaurant to a grinding halt on a busy night.

Bookkeeper or Accountant

Restaurnat owner working with an account at a table going over invoices.
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As with many parts of running a restaurant, the owner may act as the bookkeeper or accountant. It’s important to understand the difference between each of these jobs. A bookkeeper records financial transactions, like daily bank deposits and issuing payroll checks.

An accountant analyzes those transactions, such as creating profit and loss statements and preparing annual taxes. Time is an important factor when deciding to hire a bookkeeper or do it yourself.

As the owner, you already have a never-ending to-do list. If you can’t dedicate the time managing your day to day finances, consider hiring out, because money is not an area you want to neglect. Just as important is your comfort level with bookkeeping. If you have no prior experience in finances, the complexity of a restaurant operation may be hard to track.

Maintenance

Worker mopping a restaurant floor after close of day.
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Equipment can break in any restaurant, from freezers to ranges to entire walk-in coolers, along with daily cleaning. Like bookkeeping, the day to day maintenance may be a job you want to do yourself. It depends on how handy you are, the size of your restaurant, and what other duties you already shouldering. You may find it cheaper to keep a full-time maintenance/cleaning person on staff, rather than calling a repairman every time something breaks.