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Food and beverage attendant vs food server

The differences between food and beverage attendants and food servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food and beverage attendant has an average salary of $25,569, which is higher than the $25,209 average annual salary of a food server.

The top three skills for a food and beverage attendant include cleanliness, food handling and culinary. The most important skills for a food server are beverage orders, wine, and cleanliness.

Food and beverage attendant vs food server overview

Food And Beverage AttendantFood Server
Yearly salary$25,569$25,209
Hourly rate$12.29$12.12
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs203,747125,455
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age2842
Years of experience--

What does a food and beverage attendant do?

Going to a restaurant to meet a smiling face is one of the world's greatest delights. When visiting a restaurant, the first smiling face that greets you is often that of a food and beverage attendant. Naturally, the role of a food and beverage attendant involves more than just smiling. They seat customers comfortably, address any complaints, and take customer orders. Their primary role is simply to keep restaurant customers satisfied.

What does a food server do?

A Food Server specializes in helping customers attain a pleasant dining experience while ensuring to meet all food handling and health regulation standards. Most of the responsibilities revolve around greeting customers and directing them to comfortable seats, responding to their inquires and taking their orders, and courteously suggesting options. Aside from serving meals, Food Servers must also accept payments, organize order receipts, replenish stocks in food containers and drinking stations, and clean tables for the new customers.

Food and beverage attendant vs food server salary

Food and beverage attendants and food servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food And Beverage AttendantFood Server
Average salary$25,569$25,209
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $32,000Between $18,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CityHighland, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVermont
Best paying companyTargetGettysburg College
Best paying industryGovernmentRetail

Differences between food and beverage attendant and food server education

There are a few differences between a food and beverage attendant and a food server in terms of educational background:

Food And Beverage AttendantFood Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food and beverage attendant vs food server demographics

Here are the differences between food and beverage attendants' and food servers' demographics:

Food And Beverage AttendantFood Server
Average age2842
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 36.0% Female, 64.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 9.1% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 8.7% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%7%

Differences between food and beverage attendant and food server duties and responsibilities

Food and beverage attendant example responsibilities.

  • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
  • Operate POS terminals to input customer orders, swipe credit cards and enter amounts receive.
  • Place plates, spoons, and bowls on the bar.
  • Keep the buffet stock with food, plates, and spoons.
  • Act as main bartender during schedule bartending shifts.
  • Wait tables, checking customer preferences and upselling specials.
  • Show more

Food server example responsibilities.

  • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
  • Provide outstanding customer service by communicating clearly and effectively while maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the restaurant.
  • Serve tables in a busy caf /bar environment.
  • Handle all transactions, both in person and by headset in drive-thru.
  • Work the Drive-Thru counter assisting numerous customers at a fast and friendly pace.
  • Prepare and serve delicious espresso, coffee drinks, and smoothies according to memorize recipes.
  • Show more

Food and beverage attendant vs food server skills

Common food and beverage attendant skills
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Food Handling, 12%
  • Culinary, 10%
  • Guest Service, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Wine, 5%
Common food server skills
  • Beverage Orders, 10%
  • Wine, 9%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Guest Service, 6%
  • Cash Handling, 5%

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