20 Best Restaurant Server Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
20 Best Restaurant Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
By Andrew Stoner
, Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner
Read More
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Last Updated:
September 27, 2025
A good restaurant resume focuses on your relevant skills, like food safety, menu development, customer service, or cross-team collaboration. Give examples of your past success working at restaurants or other dining establishments, and cite any service training or certificate programs you’ve done. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a results-driven resume showing your best qualifications to work in a restaurant.
Key takeaways:
- Brainstorm details about your work history on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, identify the most relevant ones to feature in your experience section — this helps you focus your resume so it positions you effectively.
- Use bullet points to display your achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong verb like “Created,” “Promoted,” or “Enhanced.”
- Spell out the results of your previous restaurant work. Describe how your efforts helped each dining facility achieve its goals.
Most Popular Restaurant Resumes
Restaurant Host Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Drew’s resume is well-organized, easy to scan, and full of clear impact statements. He highlights soft skills, certifications, and education that align with the role.
Key Tips: Students can learn how to format their resumes effectively with this guide.
Restaurant Server Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Casey provides quantifiable achievements and showcases how she contributed to operational improvements. Her resume is clear, professional, and results-focused.
Key Tips: Want to strengthen your resume? Use our Resume Action Words.
Restaurant Owner Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Jordan demonstrates leadership across multiple levels of operations. The resume clearly outlines how her decisions translated to real business growth.
Key Tips: Unsure how to craft a strong resume summary? Check out How To Write a Resume Summary.
Restaurant Cashier Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Cameron’s resume is clear, metrics-focused, and emphasizes his dependability. Each bullet shows value delivered to employers.
Key Tips: Improve your document’s layout and flow using this resume formatting guide:
Fast Food Restaurant Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Taylor’s resume is results-driven, offering specific improvements made under their leadership. The bullet points showcase achievements, not just duties. Want help identifying strong action words like these? Use this list of resume action verbs to get started.
Restaurant Assistant Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Alex presents their experience with structure and clarity. Their ability to support managers while taking on leadership roles shines through. To improve your resume layout, check out this resource on how to structure your resume professionally.
Restaurant General Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Jordan clearly aligns each role with measurable achievements. Employers love seeing numbers. If you’re unsure how far back your resume should go, read this guide on how many years of experience to include.
Entry-Level Restaurant Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Morgan’s resume shows potential, leadership training, and attention to detail. Even without extensive experience, they clearly demonstrate readiness. This guide can help you write your first resume if you’re just starting out.
Fine Dining Restaurant Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Casey speaks directly to the expectations of fine dining — elegance, service, and detail. For more ideas on what to highlight in a specialized resume, see this breakdown on what job titles to use.
Multi-Unit Restaurant Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Jamie demonstrates regional oversight experience with quantified success. This resume is a great model if you’re applying to area manager or franchise roles. Need help tailoring your resume to specific job ads? This guide breaks it down step by step.
Restaurant Bar Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Cameron balances creativity and operations. This resume reflects a bar program’s impact in a restaurant setting. For more tips on how to make your resume stand out, especially in niche roles, check out how to create a great resume profile.
Restaurant Marketing Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Drew’s resume is an excellent example of how to showcase marketing achievements in measurable terms. If you’re in a creative or hybrid role, this guide on resume keywords can help you identify the terms hiring managers want to see.
Restaurant Operations Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Riley focuses on systems and tangible outcomes that are ideal for operations roles. Curious how many jobs to include on your resume? This article gives a smart breakdown.
Restaurant Shift Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Pat’s bullet points emphasize operational control and team efficiency. Want more help improving your layout and readability? Use these resume formatting tips to polish your structure.
Restaurant Floor Supervisor Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Taylor’s resume paints a clear picture of day-to-day floor leadership. It’s especially useful for team leads moving into assistant management. Want to see more title examples like this one? Browse this job title guide for more ideas.
Restaurant Catering Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Alex combines project and hospitality skills to show how they handle complex logistics. If you’re unsure how to make your resume stand out visually, check out this advice on the best-looking resumes.
Restaurant Dishwasher Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Jordan’s resume highlights effort, efficiency, and support — all crucial for back-of-house success. For guidance on building resumes when you’re just starting, read this article on how to write a resume with no experience.
Restaurant Food Runner Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Morgan’s resume shows reliability and energy. It’s a great reference for entry-level or part-time applicants. Want to learn how to match your resume to job descriptions? This guide walks you through the process.
Restaurant Training Manager Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Casey uses numbers to show how training impacts performance. This structure is ideal for leaders who work behind the scenes. Learn how to highlight your leadership skills in ways that matter to employers.
Restaurant Delivery Driver Resume Example
Why this restaurant resume example is strong:
Jamie’s resume focuses on delivery performance and consistency. This guide explains what you should always include when applying for similar roles.
Restaurant Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write a Restaurant Resume
Using a template can help you write an effective restaurant resume. Your restaurant resume should usually include these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
Before starting work on your resume, jot down your preferences for your target job duties, industry, or employer size. These notes will help you filter and emphasize your best career details as you develop each section.
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles. Ensure your contact information is current so hiring managers can reach you for an interview.
Example
Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, State Abbreviation Zip Code | LinkedIn
2. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your restaurant qualifications
Impress restaurant managers at the top of your resume by giving the three to five primary reasons you can excel as their next hire. These key selling points may include your:
- Years of restaurant work experience
- Main strengths or specialties
- Work style or approach (such as efficient, collaborative, and service-oriented)
- College degree(s) or certifications in your field
Example
Restaurant host with a strong background in hospitality. Proven ability to manage reservations, provide quality customer service, and coordinate with kitchen and serving staff, as evidenced by roles at Darden Restaurants Inc. and Starbucks Corporation. Hold a ServSafe Food Handler Certificate, TIPS Certification, and a National Restaurant Association ManageFirst Program certification.
3. Add a compelling section featuring your restaurant experience
View the experience section as a chance to give examples of your work and success in restaurant roles similar to the one you’re pursuing. For each job in your recent work history, brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant details to feature as bullet points in this section.
Example
Senior Restaurant Server, Darden Restaurants Inc., Orlando, FL | January 2020 to present
- Maintained high levels of service, increasing repeat customers by 20%
- Trained and mentored 10 new servers, improving overall service efficiency by 15%
- Implemented a new system for handling payments and tips, reducing errors by 25%
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
When possible, use relevant performance data and metrics to show your restaurant industry results. Hard numbers put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your scope and impact.
Do
- “Co-developed a new store layout that improved customer flow and increased daily transactions by 10%”
Don’t
- “Co-developed a new store layout that improved customer flow and increased daily transactions ”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application
For each job posting you respond to, note any details given about the hiring restaurant’s size, cuisine, customer base, or service model. How do these areas compare to your own recent experience? You can make a stronger first impression on the hiring manager by citing these similarities in your profile.
For instance, say you’re applying to a high-volume restaurant. You could enhance your profile by changing your first line from “Manager with seven years of experience” to “Manager with seven years of experience overseeing fast-paced dining facilities.”
What if you don’t have restaurant experience?
Writing a resume can be hard if you don’t have real-world experience. But you still have valuable skills and knowledge from your education and training. Include any relevant coursework you’ve done or certifications you’ve earned. Also, consider including volunteer work or internships you’ve completed in your field, and emphasize your work ethic and willingness to learn. By focusing on these qualities, you can show how you’d be an asset to any restaurant team.
4. Include education and certifications relevant to restaurant work
With the education and certifications sections, you can show you have a strong knowledge base in your field. Cite any credentials you’ve earned that speak to your abilities as a restaurant worker. Following are templates to help you organize this information on your resume (note, years are optional).
Education
Template:
[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant coursework or honors]
Example:
Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurant Management, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
Example:
Certified Restaurant Server (CRS), American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
5. List restaurant-related skills and proficiencies
A separate skills section lets you quickly display how to add value to a restaurant facility. This section may include your soft skills like collaboration, hard skills like payment processing, or specific cuisines or food items. Every skill must be one you are versed in and want to use in your next job. Below, you’ll find some key terms and skills to consider for this section:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Cash register operation | Cost reduction and elimination |
| Cross-team collaboration | Customer order management |
| Customer service and satisfaction | Efficiency improvement |
| Financial management | Food safety and sanitation |
| Inventory management | Menu development |
| Menu memorization | Payment processing |
| Process streamlining | Regulatory compliance |
| Reservations management | Task prioritization |
| Team leadership and motivation | Transaction processing |
Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs
One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and show the varied nature of your experience. The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your restaurant resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Collaborated | Created |
| Decreased | Delivered |
| Enhanced | Fostered |
| Generated | Grew |
| Improved | Increased |
| Introduced | Lowered |
| Monitored | Prepared |
| Prevented | Ranked |
| Reduced | Served |
| Streamlined | Trained |
| Updated | Won |
How To Pick the Best Restaurant Resume Template
A resume is a simple tool for professional communication and should be formatted accordingly. Choose a clear and straightforward template, and avoid any with elaborate graphics or various colors and font styles. Simple resume design helps a hiring manager scan for relevant information. It also helps you tailor the document to each job application and make updates to your work history going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions: Restaurant Resume Examples and Advice
What should be included in a Restaurant CV to catch the attention of employers?
Your Restaurant CV should include a strong profile summary that emphasizes your specializations and key skills. Highlight any specific accomplishments that show your ability to impact the company, such as saving money, improving processes, or leading teams. Tailor the skills section to match the requirements of the job you're applying for to increase your chances of being noticed.
How do you align your resume with a restaurant job posting?
First, look closely at the job post text and note any repeated or emphasized words. Compare these phrases to the language you're using in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then, seek ways to align your resume text with the job posting while not copying phrases or misstating your background.
For example, if the facility seeks someone collaborative, call out that aspect of your experience in your profile. Or say the restaurant has many non-English speaking customers. Highlight your foreign language skills in your profile and as a separate section further down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each opportunity.
What is the best restaurant resume format?
Most restaurant job seekers should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format's experience section and the functional format's profile section. (The resume examples on this page all use combination format.)
A combination resume offers the best of both worlds by fusing these two features. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history - essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section enables you to display your career highlights at the top, regardless if they're from that work history or another part of your background.
As a result, you can present yourself clearly and strategically. This format gives hiring managers the best view of your experience and relevant strengths so they can decide to call you for an interview.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
A good cover letter can enhance your job application. To write a standout letter, get specific. Tell the hiring manager why you’re interested in their restaurant and the specific role they hope to fill.
Check Out Related Examples
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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