What High-Quality Restaurant Servers Bring to the Table: Essential Skills and Traits

Restaurant managers often seek candidates with a blend of skills and qualities to ensure smooth operations and a positive dining experience. This article highlights the essential traits and skills that successful servers bring to the table.

Key Qualities Sought by Restaurant Managers

Restaurant managers prioritize several key qualities and skills in their server candidates. These include:

Customer Service Skills

A server must be adept at engaging guests in a friendly and positive manner. They should be able to handle complaints gracefully and create a welcoming atmosphere. Effective communication is crucial for this role, involving taking orders, explaining menu items, and coordinating with the kitchen staff.

Product Knowledge

Understanding the menu thoroughly, including ingredients, preparation methods, and allergens, allows servers to answer customer questions and make appropriate recommendations. This knowledge enhances the dining experience and builds trust with guests.

Attention to Detail

Accuracy in taking orders and ensuring the correct items are delivered is paramount. Servers must also maintain table settings and ensure the dining experience is smooth and enjoyable for all guests.

Multitasking Ability

Servers often juggle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. The ability to manage multiple tables, orders, and tasks efficiently is crucial for maintaining a seamless service flow.

Teamwork

Collaboration with kitchen staff and other servers is essential for a cohesive service team. A server who can work well in a team fosters a positive dining atmosphere and contributes to overall success.

Reliability and Punctuality

Showing up on time and being present for shifts is critical in the restaurant industry. Reliability ensures that the dining experience is not disrupted, and the team can maintain a high standard of service.

Adaptability

Being flexible and able to adjust to changing situations, such as busy shifts or special events, is an essential trait. Servers who can adapt quickly to various scenarios can provide a better dining experience for guests.

Sales Skills

Upselling or promoting menu items and specials can enhance the dining experience and increase restaurant revenue. Skilled servers can help drive sales and support the restaurant's goals.

Physical Stamina

Long hours on their feet, carrying trays, and moving quickly are part of the job. Physical endurance is necessary to maintain high standards of service throughout the shift.

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Amazing Employees: A Restaurant Manager's Perspective

After decades of hiring, training, and coaching thousands of employees, I've identified specific behaviors that define truly exceptional employees. Here are my top 10 list:

1. Go Beyond Service to Create Hospitality

Exceptional employees do not just perform the steps of service; they personalize and amplify every guest experience, understanding the difference between service and genuine hospitality.

2. Live the 200 Rule

These employees are 100% responsible for their own behaviors and 100% responsible for those around them. It is not just a job for them; it is about creating something special and demanding that everyone around them performs to their level.

3. Own Their Business

Great employees come to their employers with problems and solutions, not just reports of issues. Great employers understand that empowerment without the authority to act is just manipulation. These employees think about tomorrow, not just today's shift.

4. Solidly Professional

They understand that their business is the guest's business and pay close attention to the details of every experience. They learn from missteps and seek input to improve, not from their employer but from their guests.

5. Mastery of Fundamentals

With a solid foundation, they thrive in chaos. These people are positive, always smiling, and enjoy the challenges they face, ensuring all tasks are completed effectively.

6. Always Learning and Innovating

These employees are always seeking new opportunities to learn and do new things. They are driven by innovation and growth, and their enthusiasm spills over into the business.

7. Always Teaching and Sharing

They are excited about their learning journeys and share their knowledge with others, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

8. Community Involvement and Fun

Exceptional employees volunteer in the community, giving back to the support system. They enjoy fun outside of work, surrounding themselves with friends and a strong support network.

9. Creating a Plan for Success

When asked about their future, they provide a clear goal, strategy, and tactics. This shows a proactive and goal-oriented mindset.

10. Driving Sales and Business Growth

These employees track their own sales targets and work to increase their business, which directly contributes to the success of the entire team.

The Importance of Hiring and Growing World-Class Employees

The most important takeaway is that great employees must be nurtured and rewarded. As an employer, your job is to demand this level of performance and then celebrate and reward it!