Thinking of starting a restaurant-industry career but you don’t have specific skills yet? Working as a Busser is a good entry-level position that will equip you with the skills and experience necessary for success in this industry.
This Busser career guide covers the basic skills you need in this job, what salary to expect, your possible career progression and more.
What Is a Busser?
Restaurant Bussers are sometimes referred to as a Busboy, Busgirl or Table Attendant. They’re responsible for clearing and cleaning tables, resetting these for the next guests and assisting Servers with delivering customers’ orders.
Even though they hold an entry-level role, Bussers are a crucial part of the front-of-house team because they assist the waitstaff in giving customers a good dining experience.
Bussers also perform behind-the-scenes work to keep things running smoothly in the kitchen and other parts of the restaurant.
What Does a Busser Do?
Here are the typical duties of a Busser:
- Clearing dirty plates, glasses and cutlery once diners finished a course or their entire meal
- Cleaning the tables and replenishing items, making sure everything is set for the next customers
- Assisting some Servers by refilling glasses with drinks, preparing condiments and delivering food to the tables if necessary
- Assisting the customers with requests or inquiries in case the Servers are busy
- Maintaining cleanliness in the restaurant by sweeping and mopping floors, taking out the trash and cleaning restrooms
- Stocking up on supplies (like plates, cups, napkins and utensils) to make sure the waitstaff and kitchen staff have everything they need
Top Skills a Busser Should Have
Becoming a Busser allows you to gain experience and build skills that would help advance your career in the food and beverage industry.
These are the essential hard and soft skills to be efficient in your Busser job.
Communication skills
Bussers need to communicate clearly with other restaurant staff to keep things running smoothly. Understanding customer requests is also crucial so you can provide them with a personalized and good dining experience.
Good teamwork
As a Busser, you’ll work closely with other restaurant staff, including Dishwashers, Servers and Cooks. You’ll need to get along well with everyone to make sure you’re providing an impeccable service to the guests.
Food handling
You must learn proper food handling and sanitation to prevent contamination that can cause foodborne illnesses or food poisoning.
Bussers handle dirty dishes all the time, so you must remember to wash your hands often before handling food or ingredients. The customers’ health and safety are the utmost priority, after all.
Multitasking
Bussing requires juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, so you must manage them without sacrificing efficiency and quality.
Learn how and what to prioritize, especially during the restaurant’s peak hours. That way, you can quickly switch focus when circumstances call for it.
Attention to detail
It’s a big turnoff for guests when they arrive at their table and see crumbs and spill; their dining experience is off to a bad start.
As a Busser, it’s your responsibility to make sure the table is spick and span, that the utensils and napkins are correctly placed and the glasses are immediately refilled with water.
Your keen attention to detail will help create a positive experience for diners and encourage repeat business.
Customer service
Although Bussers don’t usually have direct interactions with customers, they still have an impactful role in providing good customer service.
Being attentive and helpful to the guests will go a long way to earning the restaurant positive reviews and getting that promotion you may be eyeing.
Busser Wage and Earning Potential
According to the latest data from Glassdoor, Indeed and Salary.com, the average base wage of Bussers in the United States is $14.44 per hour.
This can be augmented by a percentage they receive from the Servers’ tips, also known as tip share.
Besides tips, a Busser’s earning potential can also vary based on location, experience and the type of establishment.
How To Be a Good Busser
Other than possessing the right skills, there’s an art to becoming a rock star Busser. Follow these tips to help you succeed.
Be Proactive
Always be observant for signs that the customer is done with a course or has finished their meal entirely. Don’t let plates pile up and clear the tables discreetly so the guests won’t feel you’re rushing them.
Be Friendly and Professional
You can be proactive, yes, but always ask the customer first if they’re finished before taking their plate. Then, stack the dishes carefully and without making unnecessary noise. If you see a crumb, quickly wipe the table with a clean cloth.
Anticipate the Customers’ Needs
Learn to read customer cues. For example, they make eye contact to signal that they’re ready to order or they need something. Take note of their body language, quickly make inquiries if they look confused or uncomfortable.
Show Your Team You Have Initiative
Always ask the other staff if they need help with any task no matter how small. Even when the restaurant’s not busy, look for something to do, like refilling napkin dispensers, restocking condiments or polishing cutlery. This shows you’re a hard worker and a team player.
How You Can Start Working as a Busser
Working as a Busser is a great way to break into the restaurant industry. Owners and managers typically don’t require a formal education, they instead focus on skills and professionalism.
However, being a good communicator helps, as well as your enthusiasm and willingness to do the job.
You can look for Busser jobs online or simply walk in and inquire – this shows initiative.
Once you get the Busser job, continue developing key skills so you can quickly become an asset to the business and open doors for future restaurant career opportunities.
What Is the Workplace of a Busser Like?
A Busser’s workplace covers various zones within the restaurant, including the main dining area, kitchen and service stations. They move between these places to clear tables promptly, reset them for new guests and assist with maintaining cleanliness and organization.
Bussers frequently interact with other restaurant staff members to coordinate tasks and relay important information to waitstaff, such as a customer’s dietary restrictions.
The work schedule of a Busser typically revolves around the operational hours and peak times.
Bussers are exposed to food and beverage spills, hot surfaces in the kitchen and potentially slippery floors. As such, they must adhere to safety protocols to ensure a safe environment for themselves, fellow staff members and guests.
Having the right perspective and willingness to learn is key to a fulfilling restaurant career path.
Bussing exposes you to the entire restaurant and kitchen operation that can cultivate essential skills such as time management, communication and attention to detail. These skills will create opportunities for advancement to positions with greater responsibilities, you can even become a Restaurant Manager if you wish to pursue it.
Acquiring continuing education – such as enrolling in hospitality management courses, attending workshops or obtaining certifications – can diversify a Busser’s skillset and expand their career options as seen below.
Pros and Cons of Being a Busser
Being a Busser gets your foot in the door if you want a career in the restaurant industry, but it offers both rewards and challenges.
The Pros:
- Flexible work schedules, especially for those seeking part-time work
- Opportunity to gain valuable experience, like learning day-to-day restaurant operations and customer service
- Interacting with customers and coworkers can improve people and soft skills
- Strong performance and hard work can lead to higher roles and better pay
The Cons:
- Constantly cleaning and moving around the restaurant
- Dealing with inconsistent schedule and working on weekends and holidays
- Fast-paced and stressful environment during peak hours
- Encountering impatient or demanding customers
Is Busser the Right Role for You?
Take our quiz to see if you have what it takes to be a Busser.
Results
Congratulations!
Based on your quiz results, you would be an ideal candidate for a Busser position. Your skills and preferences align well with the demands of the job.
Embrace this opportunity, and consider gaining hands-on experience by applying for Busser Jobs.
Cheers to a promising future in the restaurant industry!
There’s good potential!
While your results indicate that you may need to develop more skills needed to be an effective Busser, there’s good potential for you to excel with dedication and effort.
You can start by checking our Busser Interview Questions to learn more about how you can improve your chances.
#1. Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where you’ll be doing multiple tasks?
#2. What will you do when a customer complains about the cleanliness of their table?
#3. How do you deal with criticism and feedback from coworkers and supervisors?
#4. How do you feel about constantly clearing tables and handling messy leftover food?
#5. Are you comfortable interacting with people from different backgrounds and cultures?
#6. A coworker is sick and you were asked by the restaurant manager to cover for him. How do you feel about this unexpected change in your schedule?
#7. What would you do if a customer asks for recommendations on the menu?
#8. What would you do if you encounter a difficult customer with never-ending concerns?
#9. It’s peak hours and all the staff are stressed out. How would you deal with your own stress?
#10. The restaurant is running low on stocks for napkins and condiments. What would you do?
Busser Career FAQ
Bussers keep the tables clean and ready for the customers. They work with the front-of-house and back-of-house staff members to keep things running smoothly. They’re responsible for preparing the tables and keeping these clean, as well as assisting with general duties around the restaurant.
On the other hand, Waiters/Waitresses and Servers are more client-facing. They greet the guests and lead them to their tables, take their orders, communicate these to the kitchen and handle the payment.
Previous experience is not always required to work as a Busser, as many employers provide on-the-job training. However, having some experience in the hospitality industry or related roles can be beneficial.
Bussers typically wear uniforms provided by the restaurant, which may include a collared shirt, apron and closed-toe shoes. Some restaurants may also require Bussers to wear specific attire such as black pants or skirts.
The difficulty of working as a Busser varies based on factors such as the type of establishment, customer volume and one’s personal preferences. While the role involves physical tasks and navigating a fast-paced environment, many find it rewarding. Despite its demands, working as a Busser can provide valuable opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction.
Bussers can sometimes take customer orders when the Waiter/Waitress is busy with other customers, especially during peak hours. However, they don’t deal with detailed inquiries about the menu or make pairing recommendations to the diners.
