Occupation · SOC 35-3023
Fast Food and Counter Workers
Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.
Median wage
$30,480
$22,620–$38,800
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
3,780,930
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
3 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationCoordination
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageFood ProductionMathematics
Technology & tools
Point of sale POS softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.Serve customers in eating places that specialize in fast service and inexpensive carry-out food.Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machinesCheck and monitor food temperatures while cooking.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Customer orders — receive and repeat back accurately under direct supervisor guidance at a fast-food service counter.Cash register and basic POS software — operate to process simple transactions with supervisor oversight in a quick-service restaurant.Payment acceptance and change — perform basic cash-handling steps following established protocols during a supervised shift.Food and beverage items — serve to customers at a take-out counter using correct portioning techniques as demonstrated by a trainer.Dining and counter areas — sweep, mop, and wipe down surfaces following posted sanitation checklists during assigned cleaning duties.Customer comments and complaints — listen attentively and refer unresolved issues to a supervisor in a high-volume service setting.Menu items and pricing — identify and communicate basic information to customers using posted signage and training materials.Condiment and supply stations — check and restock under direction to maintain readiness during a service period.Dishwashing equipment and sanitizing solutions — use safely following step-by-step instructions to clean utensils in a commercial kitchen.Social perceptiveness skills — apply to recognize customer cues and adjust service pace under guidance on a busy counter shift.
developing
Customer orders — record and compute accurately using POS software or cash register with minimal oversight during a standard shift.Multiple customer requests — coordinate and prioritize in sequence to maintain efficient service flow at a fast-food counter.Cash drawer receipts and payments — balance at shift end following standard reconciliation procedures with occasional supervisor review.Food, beverage, and dessert items — serve promptly and correctly across varied service settings including dine-in, carry-out, and drive-through.Customer complaints — address calmly and resolve routine issues independently, escalating complex cases to management as needed.Inventory levels for food items and supplies — monitor throughout a shift and initiate restocking requests before shortages occur.Sanitation routines including mopping, sweeping, and dish-washing — complete on schedule to keep equipment and facilities within health-code standards.POS and order-management software — navigate efficiently to process modifications, voids, and combo transactions in a busy service environment.Team coordination — support coworkers by communicating order status and coverage needs during peak-volume periods.Oral expression and active listening skills — apply consistently to confirm order accuracy and reduce errors across a full service shift.
proficient
Full-cycle order and payment process — manage independently from order capture through cash reconciliation across varied transaction types in a fast-service establishment.Non-routine customer situations such as billing disputes or special dietary requests — resolve autonomously using judgment and service-orientation best practices.Inventory monitoring and supply ordering — execute proactively, tracking usage patterns to prevent stockouts during high-demand periods.New POS software features and operational updates — adopt quickly and apply across all transaction scenarios without supervisory prompting.Cross-functional counter tasks including serving, cashiering, and cleaning — perform in rotation to maintain seamless service during understaffed shifts.Food production standards and portion controls — uphold consistently across all menu items to ensure quality and cost compliance.Health and sanitation regulations — apply thoroughly across all cleaning duties, equipment handling, and food-contact surface maintenance.Customer service recovery techniques — deploy effectively in high-pressure situations to retain satisfaction and uphold the establishment's reputation.Order accuracy metrics and speed-of-service benchmarks — meet or exceed routinely through disciplined attention to detail and efficient workflow.Communication across diverse customer populations — adapt tone, pacing, and vocabulary to ensure clear comprehension in a multilingual service environment.
advanced
Counter service standards and operational procedures — define and implement across an entire shift or store to drive consistent quality outcomes.New team members and trainees — coach on POS operation, cash handling, and customer communication using structured on-the-job learning methods.Staff scheduling and task assignments — organize to align labor resources with projected service demand and minimize service gaps.Store inventory and supply management systems — oversee end-to-end, establishing par levels and reorder triggers to control waste and cost.Service quality and customer satisfaction metrics — monitor across shifts, identifying trends and directing corrective action to meet performance targets.Sanitation and food-safety compliance programs — lead by conducting routine audits and ensuring all team members follow regulatory standards.Escalated customer complaints and service failures — resolve with authority, applying de-escalation strategies that protect customer loyalty and brand standards.Technology tools including POS software, training software, and reporting systems — champion adoption and build team proficiency through hands-on guidance.Cross-shift communication and team culture — foster an environment of cooperation, optimism, and self-control that reduces turnover and improves morale.Operational improvements in speed, accuracy, and waste reduction — identify, propose, and implement at the establishment level in collaboration with store management.
Also known as
106 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Service Crew Team MemberConcession AttendantTake Out WaitressFront Counter AttendantCandy Counter ClerkCafeteria ServerSoda ClerkRestaurant Team MemberIce Cream Shop AssociateKitchen Team MemberCaterer's HelperFood ChampionCatering AttendantCanteen OperatorFast Food ServerSoda Fountain OperatorCoffee AttendantFood Service Team MemberCounter WaitressFast-Foods WorkerSteam Table WorkerFountain ServerFast Food CashierCafe WorkerSandwich ArtistRestaurant Crew MemberDish Up PersonLine ServerFast Food Team MemberHot Dog VendorFood Service AssistantFast Food WorkerCarhopLine PersonCatering AssistantFood Service WorkerCaterer's AideCandy Bar AttendantFountain AttendantDeli Clerk (Delicatessen Clerk)