Bussers, also known as dining room attendants or “bus boys” in the past, assist wait staff in serving food, filling and re-filling drinks and of course cleaning the tables. Bussers play an essential role in managing supplies such as napkins, crockery, and cutlery, and make sure the dining area is clean and wait staff is supported.
Of course busing tables is typically the entry point into the restaurant industry. Once a busser becomes trained and well-established at a restaurant, they’re often skilled enough to be promoted to the wait staff. Here’s a job description you can use to attract the best fresh talent in your area.
Introduction
Those tables won’t turn themselves.
The busser is an entry-level, but also important part of the staffing of a fine-dining restaurant or café. Applicants for busser jobs may not require a lot of skills or experience, but they should know the meaning of hard work. Bussers typically wipe down tables, put out cutlery, and assist the waiting staff in serving customers. These positions are usually part-time.
Job Description Summary
The summary is an important part of any job description and provides a basic understanding of what’s expected in a role bussing tables. This allows the job seekers to easily see if they can be a fit for the job.
Here is an example of a busser job description:
“Pete’s Diner has been the “go to” place for hotdogs and burgers since it was first established in 1954. And we haven’t changed since, though we got rid of the roller skates. Our friendly staff will serve you in classic ‘50s style – and outfits – and we are renowned for having the best burgers, hotdogs, and BBQ brisket in the county.
We are currently looking for a new busser to take the place of our previous busser, who has been promoted to general manager. The job requires a flexible attitude to both your duties and shifts. Stop by today, fill out an application, and be interviewed right away.”
Waiting to clean a table.
Primary Responsibilities
Here, you will introduce he applicants to the duties thy will be expected to fulfill in the job and set their expectation of what they should expect to be able to do. This is not usually a complete list of everything a busser may do in the working day, but covers the primary tasks an applicant could expect.
- Clear tables after meals and wipe down tables.
- Prepare coffee, tea, and ice water for customers.
- Keep floors and chairs around the tables clean. Vacuum.
- Maintain the necessary levels of glassware, silverware, and dishware.
- Restock condiments at tables.
- Assist waiting staff with food delivery.
- Keep all service stations clean and well stocked.
- Help wash dishes when time allows.
This is not an all-inclusive list of the primary responsibilities, and you can edit this to suit your own requirements.
Desired Skills / Role Requirements
This is where you will let your applicants know what you are expecting of them in terms of experience, qualifications, etc. In the example of a busser, you shouldn’t be looking for much in terms of qualifications. Many of the applicants will be high-school or college students looking for a part-time job where they can learn new skills.
- General Education Degree (GED) or High School diploma preferred, but not required
- Restaurant experience preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment
- Ability to obtain and maintain a food handler certification card
- Good interpersonal and customer service skills
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds
Sample Job Description Template
In order for you to better utilize your time and resources, I wrote this sample template job description for a busser. You can use this sample ad to post on job boards, post on social media, or the classified section of a local newspaper.
Busser Wanted @ Pete’s Diner in the Strand
For more than 65 years Pete’s Diner has served the local area with the best in burgers, hotdogs, and BBQ brisket, and is still the place to go for the best lunches and most delicious burgers and BBQ. Our staff are our family, and Denny’s is the oldest family business in the area.
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Following the promotion of our last busser to waitress, we are now looking for a replacement busser to cover five shifts a week at a reasonable salary of $13.00 per hour / plus the opportunity for tips. The work requires the right applicant to clear dishes and utensils, clean and prepare tables, set dining room tables, provide server support, and fill customer beverages, among other tasks that will be given as needed.
We will expect the right applicant to be able to work hard and support our waiting staff with a friendly smile and pleasing attitude. Potential for promotion to waiting staff is possible for the right person. The job requires a flexible attitude to both your duties / shifts and provides upward mobility for individuals that want to grow in the restaurant industry.
Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include, but are not restricted to:
- Prepare the restaurant before service.
- Clear tables after meals.
- Reset tables for the next customers.
- Prepare and refill beverages for customers.
- Remove dirty utensils and replenish, as needed.
- Keep floors and chairs around the tables clean.
- Maintain the stocks of glassware, cutlery, and dishware.
- Place and/or restock condiments at tables.
- Assist waiting staff with food delivery.
- Keep all service stations clean and well stocked.
- Maintain health and safety regulations in all kitchen and dining areas.
- Clean the restaurant at the end of service and stack chairs and tables.
We are looking for applicants with the following skills and experience, preferably:
- 18 years old or older.
- General Education Degree (GED) or High School diploma preferred, but not required.
- Some restaurant experience preferred, but not essential.
- Work experience as a busser or other entry-level role in a restaurant is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment.
- Understanding of hygiene and food safety rules.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a food handler certification card.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Flexibility to work in shifts, including weekends, evenings and holidays.
- Physical ability and stamina to carry heavy trays and stand for long hours.
- Ability to multitask and remain calm in a fast-paced environment.
Job Type: Full Time or Part Time (Flexible Schedules available)
Schedule:
- 8 hour shifts: from 11am to 11pm
- 5 working days per week, to be arranged
- Will include late shifts, some overtime possible
Salary rate: From $13.00 per hour, based on experience
Supplemental Pay: Tips
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 14 days per year Paid Time Off after first 6 months
- Restaurant discounts
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Full equal share of all tips and gratuities
If you have the stamina and skills to do what it takes to keep our family restaurant clean and ensure our customers get the best service, then we want to hear from you now.
[Insert Contact Details]
Questions to Ask During an Interview for Bussers
Busser interview questions.
When interviewing an applicant for a busser’s job, you need to make sure that you ask the right questions to vet perspective applicants.
- What specific duties have you performed as a busser in a previous position?
- Do you have experience working as part of a team? Provide examples.
- What skills do you possess that make you a candidate to work as a busser?
- How would you handle a demanding customer?
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- Do you think you can meet the physical requirements of this job, such as lifting heavy trays or standing for extended periods?
- Why is the busser’s role important? Explain.
- Do you think you can remain focused and keep up during busy hours?
- If you were to fill in for a waiter, would you be able to handle it?
- Why do you want to work with us?
Average Salary and Job Statistics for Bussers
Dining with a view.
Here are some salary details and facts for bussers working in the United States.
- On average, a busser can earn an average hourly rate of around $10.45 per hour, based on a range from $9 – $12 dollars depending on the type of restaurant.
- Illinois, Arizona, Maine, California, Indiana, Vermont, Ohio, Texas, Connecticut, and New Hampshire are the Top Ten Best States for busser jobs in the country. These are all high-tourism areas that attract visitors from all over the world.
- The average age of a busser is around 19 years old and ranges from as young as 16 to around 22 years of age.
- Busser jobs are a common entry-level position for people that intend to later work in other areas of the service industry.
- The busser workforce in the United States reached as high as 339,772 people in 2020.
- Typically, the entry-level busser positions do not require educational qualifications, though around 36% have a GED or High School Diploma.
- Around 28.1% of bussers are women, with men dominating the busser workforce with around 67.7% coverage.
With all of this information and the busser job description template you can download for free, you can concentrate on serving restaurant customers instead of struggling to write a compelling job listing.
