Free Server Training Checklist

A server training checklist can create a more seamless training process for any newly hired servers. Continue reading to learn about the use of a server training checklist and how having one can help your new servers be successful at their job.

What is a Server Training Checklist?

A server training checklist is a tool that provides a structured approach to the process of training new servers and helps to ensure each server fully understands the responsibilities of their role. This document makes sure that new servers are set up for success and are prepared to handle all aspects of their job. This checklist can also be used in addition to the restaurant training manual template and restaurant employee handbook template to ease the onboarding process.

The Benefits of a Server Training Checklist

To help you understand why you should take advantage of a restaurant server checklist, here are just some of the benefits of using one.

Consistent Server Training Process

A restaurant server checklist can help you maintain consistency when training new servers and to reinforce important lessons for existing servers. This way, each server is equipped with the proper training and understanding of how to carry out each task and responsibility efficiently.

Streamline the Training Process

Having a restaurant server training checklist allows you to streamline the training process to ensure no steps is missed when training new servers. This prevents any confusion or misunderstandings during those hectic first few services.

Boosts Confidence

Servers will feel more confident in their ability to do their job successfully and without any assistance after checking off all the items on the server training checklist. And as an operator, you’ll feel more confident knowing that your restaurant servers can execute on their tasks and responsibilities after completing all the items on the restaurant server checklist.

Reference Document

Lastly, a waiter or waitress server checklist template can serve as a reference document for servers to refer back to, even after the initial training process. This can help servers review and refresh their service skills as needed.

What’s Included in This Server Training Checklist?

Now that you know what a restaurant server checklist is and how it benefits you, let’s talk about what exactly is included in one. Our wait staff training checklist is designed with two categories in mind: onboarding tasks and service skills. Each of these sections carefully outline the tasks and responsibilities that new servers must complete and gain a thorough understanding of, in order to complete the training process.

For example, the onboarding tasks section consists of reviewing the following items:

• The employee handbook
• The training manual
• Health and safety procedures and guidelines, including kitchen safety, medical emergencies, allergies, and sanitization
• Dress code policy
• Job description, duties, and responsibilities

The service skills section of the wait staff training checklist includes items, such as:

• A menu abbreviations test
• A table numbers test
• Learning the initial guest greeting 
• Familiarizing yourself with the POS system, payment processing system, and other technology
• Mastering the ability to independently carry out service during the meal (i.e. checking in with guests, refilling drinks, etc.)
• Learning how to process payments
• And more!

How to Use This Server Training Checklist

To use our free waiter or waitress server checklist template, restaurateurs can simply check off each item across both sections as the new server completes each one. This will help ensure that each new server is properly trained and is ready to tackle a shift with ease and efficiency.

Now you’re better prepared to train new servers and ensure they perform their job well! Download our free checklist for a comprehensive list of all server responsibilities and tasks that every new wait staff must be well-versed in before tackling their first shift.