Hire & Onboard a Restaurant Server

Interview through shadow shifts — the complete process for bringing on a new server, from screening to menu certification.

Interview

• Screen for hospitality experience, availability (match your busiest shifts), and a genuine interest in food and beverage — passion for the product shows in sales and guest experience
• Ask situational questions: 'A table has been waiting 20 minutes for their check and looks frustrated — what do you do?' — assess judgment and initiative
• Reference check with at least one former manager — specifically ask: 'Would you rehire this person?'
• Be upfront about tip structure, tipout percentage, and whether the restaurant uses tip pooling — misaligned expectations cause early turnover

Paperwork

• Collect I-9 eligibility documents within the first day of employment — keeping an employee without a completed I-9 is an employer violation
• Collect a completed W-4 for federal withholding and any state equivalent
• Add the new hire to your POS system with appropriate access level and provide their employee login credentials
• Provide a signed copy of your employee handbook, tip policy, and any non-compete or non-solicitation agreements — have them sign receipt

Training Week

• Day 1: complete a full restaurant tour — kitchen layout (they never go behind the line without permission), fire exits, walk-in locations, and restroom access
• Day 1–2: table-side manner, POS training, table mapping, and how to take and enter orders correctly — role-play with another staff member
• Day 2–3: full menu tasting — the server must eat and drink (non-alcoholic tasting for non-drinkers) every item on the menu they'll recommend
• Day 3–4: allergen training — server must be able to identify the Top 9 allergens in every menu item and know the kitchen's cross-contact procedures

Menu & POS

• Create a menu knowledge test covering: ingredients for each dish, preparation method, top wine or cocktail pairings, and allergen flags
• Require a passing score (80%+) on the menu test before the server takes their first solo table — this is non-negotiable and guests can tell the difference

Shadow Shifts

• Require a minimum of 2–3 shadow shifts — new server shadows an experienced server, takes all verbal orders but submits nothing to the POS without approval
• Reverse shadow on day 3 or 4 — experienced server watches the trainee run the table and only intervenes when necessary

Certify

• Give verbal sign-off to the new server after the final shadow shift — make it a specific moment of acknowledgment and communicate clear performance expectations for the first 90 days
• Schedule a 30-day check-in meeting — review POS accuracy, guest feedback, tipout compliance, and any concerns the server has about their section or schedule