The food service industry is one that impacts people across the country from nearly every background. Working to bring people everywhere their favorite meals, beverages, and treats, this industry offers a unique work environment that many people love.
Those with full-time or part-time food service jobs know that no two days are ever the same, regardless of the environment or position in which they work. Excitement, a love of food, and a variety of different positions can make it an appealing industry for many job-seekers.
Food service jobs can vary wildly, from part-time entry-level positions that allow people to get started in a new type of occupation, to full-time supervisors and highly trained leaders who manage the variety of food service industry positions available.
Those interested in finding a career in the field should familiarize themselves with some background on the industry. Read on for seven facts that those interested in food service jobs should understand as they begin their job hunt.
#1: Food service workers can be employed in a variety of positions.
Food service workers serve in a variety of roles throughout the food preparation process, meaning there is a position that appeals to a number of interests and skill sets. These professionals can be found in positions like:
- Bartender or barista
- Executive chef, chef, head cook, assistant cook, and line cook
- Food and beverage service worker
- Food preparation worker
- Waiter and waitress
Those interested in serving and preparing food can also find jobs in several types of establishments. Although many associate the food service industry with restaurants, that is only one type of work environment where people can look for new positions.
Food service workers can also be found in:
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Hospitals or other places of healthcare
- Events venues
- Entertainment and sporting venues
- Any other type of business where food is prepared and served
Professionals in the food service industry can also find jobs that allow them to work a number of different shift times. Since places that serve food often do not follow the traditional 9-to-5 schedule, there are many options for working early in the morning for breakfast shifts, in the evening for dinner and after-hours shifts, and even late at night for entertainment and nightlife venues.
In these positions, food service workers can find jobs in a variety of environments. Some jobs will have a considerable amount of interaction with customers and the public, while others work more behind the scenes to prepare the food being served. Those interested in jobs within the food service industry should consider the type of environment that suits them best.
#2: Food and beverage service and related workers are expected to see a 10% growth rate in the number of jobs available.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are over five million people working in jobs within the food and beverage service sector. This area also expects to see faster job growth than the average field. Between 2019 and 2029, there will be an estimated 10% growth in the number of jobs available for those interested in this type of occupation, which will add over 550,000 new jobs.
Additionally, this particular field commonly sees turnover within positions, which means that those who want to find a new job will find regular openings across the country. Education requirements can also vary depending on the position, but many food service positions do not require a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma.
While working in the food service industry, team members can cultivate a number of skills that can easily be transferred into different industries as people prepare to advance their careers.
- Customer Service. Many food service industry jobs require excellent customer service. Anyone who works in a public-facing position in a restaurant, cafeteria, or other place serving food will have to develop customer service skills to encourage sales and create a good impression of the business for those patronizing the establishment.
- Communication. Most positions in the food service industry, whether they are full-time or part-time, require professionals to communicate with several other team members to accomplish a given task. For example, several people in the kitchen, a host, and at least one server will be involved in providing a meal at a restaurant. Working in one of these positions can help professionals build their communication skills. They will learn to express themselves clearly and follow directions to ensure that food service operations progress smoothly.
- Teamwork. Since food service jobs require different professionals to work together to provide customers and clients with the food they want, professionals will nurture their ability to work well on a team, which will benefit them in nearly any industry. Their problem-solving skills, ability to navigate and mitigate disagreements, and their capacity to work toward a common goal will all serve as beneficial assets.
- Physical Stamina. Many food service jobs also require professionals to work long hours on their feet. They might be moving, lifting, and organizing boxes of food and supplies, cooking and preparing dishes, or waiting on customers. This can help acclimate team members in the profession to physical work, which can prepare them for other positions with similar expectations.
#3: For many food service jobs, tips comprise an important part of workers’ compensation.
Many jobs in the food service industry — particularly those with job descriptions that involve serving customers food and drinks in bars and restaurants — rely heavily on tips for their pay. More often than not, the official compensation from the business will be low, but customer tips will make up the difference.
Because of the expectation to receive tips, the minimum wage for certain jobs can be as low as $2.13 per hour. The actual hourly rate of these employees will be higher when taking into account the tips they receive.
#4: Those who reach management positions have a mean annual wage of $55,320.
Those who enjoy working in the food service industry and learn how to excel in their positions will find that they have opportunities to move into more managerial and supervisory roles. As a general manager in a food service job, workers receive more responsibilities along with higher wages. The mean annual wage of food service managers is $55,320 as of May 2019, but top earners in the industry can see wages as high as $93,040.
#5: For those who want to specialize in food service, there are several highly specialized career paths.
When people enjoy working in the food service industry, they will find that there are a few highly specialized paths available — particularly for those willing to put in a little more time for formal training and education. These less common job types in the industry can help many professionals combine a love of food and the industry, with unique talents and specialties.
- Foragers. Foragers help those in the food service industry find particular ingredients, especially high-quality food items that might be unique and difficult to purchase from a wholesaler. They might spend a lot of time traveling to find these ingredients.
- Recipe developers. These professionals help create new recipes that can be published or used in restaurants.
- A professional who studies food trends. Like any other type of business, there are discernible trends in the palates and interests of customers. These professionals research and study different trends to help those in the food service industry continue to serve their customers.
- Dietitians. Also known as a nutritionist, dieticians are trained professionals who advise both individuals and restaurants on dietary habits and wellness in addition to providing nutrition services.
- Food safety specialists. These food service workers are trained to ensure that the safety and quality standards of food production and services are being followed.
#6: Food service facilities supplied $969.4 billion worth of food in 2019.
The food service industry remains enormous. In 2019, facilities that serve meals and snacks away from home supplied customers with more than $969 billion worth of food. This includes all of the restaurants, cafeterias, and anywhere else that serves customers food while they are out.
These numbers clearly indicate that Americans enjoy eating out, which means that this industry will have ample opportunities for those interested in finding a career in the field.
The food service industry is a diverse and exciting area in which to work, with jobs to fit a variety of skill sets and interests. If you are interested in pursuing a position in this field, decide which of these job titles might work well for you.
As you begin your full-time or part-time job search, you can get started with Joblist. You will receive highly targeted job posting results that can help you narrow down positions that work best for you.
