Food Counter Workers serve customers in eating places that specialize in fast service and inexpensive carry-out food.

Job Duties 

Food Counter Workers may:

Take customer orders

Relay food orders to the cook

Cook simple items on a grill

Prepare sandwiches, salads, and other short-order items

Prepare drinks, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks

Place foods, such as soups and desserts, in dishes

Serve food to diners seated at the counter

Place completed orders on trays or bag take-out orders

Tabulate and itemize the check for the amount due

Accept payment for meals served and make change

Clean counters, steam tables, and other equipment

Wash dishes

Replenish food items at self-serving stations

Add food garnishes to dishes, according to instructions

Sell cigars and cigarettes

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Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Food Counter Workers may specialize in these areas:

311.477-014 LUNCH OR COFFEE SHOP COUNTER ATTENDANTS serve food to diners seated at a counter. They may clean the counters, wash dishes and sell cigars, cigarettes, and small candies.

311.677-014 CAFETERIA COUNTER ATTENDANTS serve food from counters and steamtables to cafeteria patrons.

319.474-010 FOUNTAIN SERVERS specialize in preparing and serving ice cream and soft drinks. They are responsible for keeping fountain utensils and equipment clean and orderly.

311.472-010 FAST-FOODS WORKERS serve customers at fast food restaurants by taking orders, selecting the requested food and beverages, placing the requested items on a tray or in a takeout bag, and receiving payment.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Food Counter Workers work with others and have contact with the public. They are supervised by owners, managers, and cooks. Although working conditions vary widely, most work areas are clean and well lighted. Some restaurants may be crowded, and the food counter worker may be rushed during busy periods. Job hazards include the possibility of slips, falls, cuts, and burns; however, injuries are seldom serious.

Employment may be seasonal in resort and tourist areas. Working hours can vary from less than 30 hours to 48 hours per week. Food Counter Workers may be required to work early morning hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Food Counter Workers may rotate shifts in establishments that are open all night. Some Food Counter Workers work during lunch and dinner rush hours with time off in the middle of the day.

Employers generally provide uniforms for Food Counter Workers. Some employers also pay for uniform cleaning costs.

Some Workers belong to The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with and serving people

• Doing routine, organized work

• Activities involving business contact with people

You Should Be Able To:

• Repeat activities or tasks according to required routine procedure

• Do simple arithmetic to total bills and make change

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Deal with people in actual job duties

• Giving and receiving orders

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A customer purchases a meal that costs $5.95 and they give you a $20.00 bill and a 20% coupon off the meal. How much money should they get in return?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Menu items in order to tabulate customers' bills. For example, "fresh fish brochette, petral sole, calamari tempura, fresh sole dore', filet mignon, shrimp de jonque, medallion of veal forestiere".

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

A written customer's order to be given to the chef, indicating specifics about the order (such as how the customer wants meat prepared, what items should be put on the side, and what items should be eliminated from the order).

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Analytical skills and organizational skills in taking customer orders and handling money.

Food Counter Workers may have to obtain a health certificate from local units of government or county health departments to certify that they are free from contagious diseases.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1500 FOODS & NUTRITION , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

024 HOSPITALITY & FOOD SERVICE

Approved vocational education programs in Hospitality & Food Service prepare students to work in institutional, commercial, or self-owned food establishments or other food industry occupations. Instruction is given in planning, selecting, storing, purchasing, preparing, and serving quality food products. Special emphasis is placed on instruction in nutrition, safety and sanitation, special diets, and the use and care of food preparation equipment.

Courses in other home economics related programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Secondary vocational education programs in hospitality and food service may offer a co-op portion through which experience may be gained. Summer work in resort areas or part-time jobs in local establishments may also offer opportunities.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Food Counter Worker employer

internships

volunteer work with a Food Counter Worker employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry into this occupation is by applying directly to local eating places. Your school placement office, a local union, or a local Michigan Works! office may help you in locating a job. Job openings are also often listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Food Counter Workers vary according to employer, union affiliation, geographic location, and experience. Those Food Counter Workers who receive tips and/or meals provided by their employer may be paid less than minimum wage.

Nationally, the median weekly earnings of Food Counter Workers were $292 in 2005 or about $7.30 per hour.  Cafeteria Workers employed in public schools averaged about $10.29 per hour nationwide in the 2005-2006 school year.  The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $16.28 in 2005.

Unionized Cafeteria Counter Workers in one hotel in the Detroit area in late 2006 earned an hourly wage of $10.45 per hour. Unionized Cafeteria Counter Workers in some retail sales establishments in Michigan earned between $6.95 and $9.55 an hour in late 2006. Cafeteria Counter Workers in Michigan public schools, earned hourly rates between $8.94 and $13.68 during the 2005-06 school year.  In Michigan, non-unionized Cafeteria Counter Workers earned hourly rates between $6.95 and $9.65 in late 2006.

In late 2006, Unionized General Concession workers employed in the Sports and Entertainment Industry earned between $6.95 (new hire) and $8.95 per hour.  Snack-stand workers employed by private clubs and restaurants earned an hourly wage rate of $11.54 per hour while Cafeteria Personnel earned $11.42 per hour in late 2006.  In late 2006, Counter Personnel employed by one Detroit area Casino earned between $13.26 (new hires) and $16.57 per hour.

Food Counter Workers employed by hospitals in Michigan (late 2006) earned the following hourly rates:

Food Counter Workers may also receive tips which average 10% to 20% of customers' checks. Tips may total more than hourly earnings.

Many Food Counter Workers receive their meals free or at a reduced charge. In addition, many receive paid vacations and uniforms. Some employers may provide health and life insurance. Benefits for full-time Fast-Foods Workers may include tuition refund programs, stock ownership, profit sharing plans, and pension plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Opportunities for advancement are limited. Some find work in larger establishments where opportunities are generally greater. Others who show leadership may qualify for management training programs.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, in 2004, there were about 464,500 Food Counter Workers employed. A large number of Food Counter Workers are employed by educational institutions, hotels, hospitals, and restaurants. Employment of Food Counter Workers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. The industry distribution for Food Counter Workers looked like this:

Most job openings will result from the need to replace workers who find jobs in other occupations, retire, die, or leave the labor force. Because many Food Counter Workers are students who work part time and leave the occupation after graduation, turnover is high. The best opportunities should exist for part-time Food Counter Workers.

There are approximately 12,100 Food Counter Workers employed in Michigan. Many Food Counter Workers worked in eating and drinking places, such as restaurants, and retail stores. Others worked in hotels and motion picture theaters and other entertainment establishments.

Employment of Food Counter Workers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012. An average of 900 openings is expected annually, with 100 due to growth and 800 due to replacement of those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Factors contributing to Food Counter Worker growth in Michigan include rising personal income, more leisure time, and increasing numbers of working women. Because of high turnover rate in this occupation, jobs should remain relatively easy to find. However, as the popularity of fast food restaurants increases, the demand for small restaurant and drug store counter services may decrease greatly.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2012

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.

Copyright © 2007 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth