A useful restaurant job posting answers five questions quickly: What is the role, where is it, what does it pay, when will I work, and how do I apply? Put those answers near the top. Then explain the duties and the few requirements that genuinely matter.
Use the restaurant job posting template below for a U.S. hourly position. It is designed for small restaurant teams that need a clear ad without a long corporate job description. Replace every bracketed field before posting. This is an editorial example, not an open vacancy.
Jump to the copy-and-paste template · See the server example · Check your ad before publishing
Restaurant job posting template
Copy this outline into your job description, then remove any line that does not apply. Keep information such as pay, location and schedule consistent with the separate fields on the job board.
[Job title] — [Restaurant name] — [City, State]
Job type: [Full-time / part-time / seasonal]
Location: [Worksite or neighborhood, city and state; on-site]
Pay: [$X–$Y per hour in base pay; explain tips separately if applicable]
Schedule: [Expected weekly hours, days and shift times]
About the role
[Restaurant name] is hiring a [job title] to [main purpose of the role]. We are a [brief, accurate description of your restaurant] in [location]. You will work with [team or supervisor] during [service periods].
What you will do
- [Core task the person will perform each shift]
- [Second core task]
- [Customer service, food preparation or teamwork responsibility]
- [Relevant cleaning, setup or closing responsibility]
What you need
- [A genuinely necessary skill or experience requirement]
- [Availability for the specific shifts listed above]
- [Required job-related credential, only if applicable]
What we offer
[Actual pay details, training, meals, benefits or scheduling features you can provide. Include eligibility conditions where relevant.]
How to apply
Apply through [working application link or clear application instructions] by [deadline, if there is one]. Please include [only the information needed for the first screening]. [Explain the next step and how applicants can request an accommodation in the application process.]
What to include—and what to leave out
A job title people recognize
Use “Restaurant Server,” “Line Cook,” “Dishwasher” or “Restaurant Host” when that describes the actual opening. “Kitchen Rockstar” tells applicants less. Create separate ads for substantially different jobs rather than hiding several roles inside “Restaurant Staff Needed.”
A usable location and schedule
List the city and state, then the neighborhood or worksite when appropriate. “Flexible schedule” is incomplete if you actually need Friday closing shifts. State the days, approximate shift windows and expected weekly hours. If hours vary, say so; do not present an estimate as a guarantee.
Pay that applicants can understand
Give a genuine base-pay range instead of “competitive pay.” For tipped roles, distinguish employer-paid hourly wages from tips. If you mention estimated tips, explain that they vary and how the estimate was calculated. Do not turn a best-ever shift into a promised earning rate.
U.S. tip and wage rules vary by jurisdiction. The Department of Labor explains that when state law and federal law differ, the more protective standard applies. Check the rules that cover your worksite before choosing a pay range or tip arrangement. See DOL guidance on tipped employees. This template is a writing aid, not a legal compliance checklist.
A short list of real requirements
Separate “required” from “preferred.” If you can train someone to use your point-of-sale system, do not automatically make prior experience with that exact system a requirement. Describe the work to be performed rather than the kind of person you imagine doing it.
The EEOC warns against job ads that express preferences or discourage applicants based on protected characteristics. Keep requirements tied to the job, avoid age-coded language, and provide a way to request an application accommodation. See the EEOC’s guidance on job advertisements and hiring.
Restaurant server job posting example
This example shows how the outline can sound in practice. It intentionally leaves employer-specific facts as placeholders. It is not a job opening and should not be published unchanged.
Part-Time Restaurant Server — [Restaurant name], [City, State]
Base pay: [Actual hourly range], plus [accurate explanation of tips, if applicable].
Schedule: [Expected hours per week], with shifts on [days] from [start time] to [end time].
Work location: On-site at [worksite].
We are looking for a server to help guests have a welcoming, well-organized dining experience. You will take orders, communicate with the kitchen and help keep your section ready for service.
Your responsibilities
- Explain menu options and send accurate orders to the kitchen.
- Serve food and drinks and check whether guests need assistance.
- Process payments carefully using our point-of-sale system.
- Complete the assigned table setup, restocking and closing tasks.
What we are looking for
Clear communication, careful order handling and availability for the listed shifts. [State whether experience is required or training is available.] [Add any genuinely required credential and when it must be obtained.]
What you can expect
[List only the training, meals, benefits and scheduling arrangements actually offered.]
Apply
Use [application method]. Tell us your relevant experience and availability for the listed shifts. [State whether a resume is needed.] We will [actual next step]. For an accommodation during the application process, use [appropriate contact method].
The core server duties above are informed by O*NET’s occupation profile for waiters and waitresses. Select only the duties that belong to your opening; a national occupation profile is not a requirement to assign every possible task.
Adapt the template for other restaurant roles
- Line cook: Name the station, preparation work and service responsibilities. Be specific about what someone must already know and what you will teach.
- Dishwasher: Explain washing, storage and cleaning duties, plus the actual shift and closing expectations.
- Host: Describe greeting guests, managing the waitlist and coordinating seating. Include reservation or phone responsibilities only when they are part of the job.
- Counter team member: Clarify whether the role covers orders, payments, packing food, preparation or a combination.
These are writing prompts, not a universal duty list. Ask the person who supervises the role to confirm the final description.
Make the application step simple
Choose one main application route and test it on a phone. An applicant should not have to guess whether to call, email, visit or complete a form. If you accept walk-ins, list a practical time window rather than inviting people to arrive during your busiest service.
For initial screening, ask for relevant experience and availability. Avoid requesting bank details, identity documents or other sensitive information through an ordinary public job-ad response. Never charge a candidate to access the job. Keep your application instructions consistent with your job posting obligations on Totally Qualified.
Before you publish: a seven-point check
- The title names one real role.
- The city, state and on-site location are clear.
- Base pay and any tip information are explained separately.
- The expected schedule is specific and honest.
- Requirements are necessary, job-related and distinct from preferences.
- Every placeholder is replaced and every promised benefit is accurate.
- The application method works on mobile and someone is ready to respond.
Post your restaurant job on Totally Qualified
Once your ad is ready, Post a Job Free. Employers currently create a free account to manage their listings. Submitted jobs are reviewed before publication. Do not post this example as a vacancy—use it to describe a real opening at your business.
Explore Hiring Guides for employer resources. If you are looking for work instead, visit Find Jobs to check available listings.
Common questions
How long should a restaurant job posting be?
Use enough space to explain the role, pay, schedule, requirements and application process. A short ad with those details is more useful than a long introduction that hides them. The template above is a starting point; remove sections that add no useful information.
Can I use one ad for servers and cooks?
Separate ads are usually clearer because the duties, pay and screening criteria differ. Reuse the restaurant introduction, but give each role its own title and details.
Should I require a resume?
Decide whether you need one for the first screening. For some hourly openings, a brief account of relevant experience and shift availability may be enough to start a conversation. State your choice clearly in the ad.