What does a fast-food attendant do?
Fast-food attendants work in food service establishments that serve meals in a convenient fashion. In addition to fast-food restaurants that serve common items such as hamburgers and subs, a fast-food attendant may work in settings that include outdoor fairs, food trucks, entertainment venues and casinos.
Fast-food attendants take orders from customers and handle monetary transactions, and they may also assist with the preparation of meals. Fast-food attendants assemble take-out orders by packing food, condiments and utensils in bags or boxes, and they’re often responsible for ensuring condiment and beverage stations are fully stocked.
Fast-food attendant skills and qualifications
Fast-food attendants are generally hired as entry-level employees and receive on-the-job training, so extensive qualifications aren’t usually necessary. However, a successful fast-food attendant candidate should possess the skills needed to perform the required duties, including:
- General math skills to conduct financial transactions (i.e. operate the cash register and count back change)
- Physical stamina to stand for extended periods of time and move swiftly through the fast-food establishment
- Good communication and comprehension skills when taking food and beverage orders and interacting with customers
- Multitasking skills to handle ongoing tasks while monitoring the environment
- Memorization skills to remember customer orders
Fast-food attendant experience requirements
In most cases, employers don’t require fast-food attendant candidates to have past experience in food service or the fast-food industry, as on-the-job training is usually provided. Additionally, many job seekers apply for fast-food attendant positions as their first jobs, and part-time hours are common in this industry.
However, certain employers may prefer experienced candidates. For example, if an employer needs a fast-food attendant to start immediately due to another employee’s sudden termination or resignation, they may require that all applicants have some level of experience to save time during the training process. A food truck owner may opt to hire an attendant with food truck experience, while an employer in need of workers at a sports arena may request that all applicants have experience working with the public.
Fast-food attendant education and training requirements
An employer may require that all applicants have a high school diploma or equivalent as a condition of employment. However, many fast-food attendant applicants apply for part-time work while they’re still in high school, so an extensive educational background is usually not a requirement.
Training requirements for most fast-food restaurants are detailed and specific to ensure that employees understand everything from how to key in food and beverage codes on cash registers to how take-out orders are assembled. Fast-food attendant training generally occurs on the job to help new employees learn the overall pace of the restaurant and practice their duties with actual customers.
Training for fast-food attendants may include shadowing other workers as they serve customers and operate the cash register as well as watching training videos on customer service and food safety. Hands-on training in restaurant kitchens may also be part of the training. In some cases, fast-food attendants may be hired on a trial basis, with final hiring decisions made once training is complete.
Fast-food attendant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a fast-food attendant is $25,867 per year. Specific salaries and hourly rates may vary depending on experience, job location and the company.
Fast-food attendant salary expectations
-
Common salary:
13.15 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
7.25 -28.10 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
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Fast-food attendant job description FAQs
What qualities make a good fast-food attendant?
Fast-food attendants work with the public, so qualities such as a friendly demeanor and positive attitude are essential. Additional helpful qualities for a fast-food attendant to possess include a good work ethic and a sense of responsibility, as employers depend on them to arrive at work on time and perform their duties as expected.
Who does a fast-food attendant report to?
A fast-food attendant generally reports to the supervisor or manager on duty during their shift. During the training period, fast-food attendants may also report to the employees they are training under.
Is a fast-food attendant the same as a restaurant server?
Fast-food attendants are similar to restaurant servers in that both positions pertain to the delivery of food and beverages to customers. While fast-food attendants essentially ‘serve’ food, they are not the same as restaurant servers in a traditional sense. Restaurant servers take orders from multiple customers in dining room settings, then proceed to cater to their assigned tables for the length of the meal, while fast-food attendants most often take orders and serve fast food from behind a cashier counter.
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