Fast Food and Counter Worker

Your Fit

Income

$33K

Preparation

Minimal

Growth

1.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Fast Food and Counter Worker?

A Fast Food and Counter Worker is responsible for taking customer orders, preparing basic food items, and providing quick service in fast-food establishments. They are key to ensuring a pleasant dining experience through efficient service and maintaining cleanliness.

Sample job titles:

Cafe Server, Cafeteria Server, Food Service Assistant, Food Service Worker

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Fast Food and Counter Worker.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Fast Food and Counter Worker earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Fast Food and Counter Worker.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$31K per year	$31K per year	$33K per year	$37K per year	$44K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $32K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Fast Food and Counter Worker do?

Work environment

Fast Food and Counter Workers typically work in fast-food restaurants, cafeterias, and sometimes food trucks. The environment is fast-paced, focused on quick service and efficiency. Workers often stand for long periods and may work in shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Quick task list

Takes customer orders and processes payments.
Prepares and serves food and beverages.
Maintains cleanliness and sanitation in the service and dining areas.
Stocks supplies and ingredients.
Handles customer inquiries and resolves any service issues.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Drive-Thru Service: Specializing in managing and serving orders in drive-thru lanes.
Food Preparation: Focusing on the cooking and preparation of fast-food items.
Customer Service: Specializing in front-counter service and customer interaction.
Shift Supervision: Overseeing operations and staff during specific shifts.
Specialty Beverage Preparation: Focusing on creating coffee-based drinks and smoothies.

Description

Fast Food and Counter Workers are integral to the operation of quick-service dining establishments. They need to be efficient, organized, and capable of working in a fast-paced environment. Customer service skills are crucial, as these workers are often the first point of contact for customers. They need to be friendly, responsive, and able to handle a variety of customer interactions, including taking orders, answering questions, and resolving any complaints or issues that arise.

The role requires versatility, as workers may be involved in various tasks, from food preparation to handling cash registers. Being quick on their feet and able to multitask is essential, as they often have to juggle multiple orders simultaneously. Knowledge of food safety and hygiene practices is also important, as workers are responsible for ensuring that food is prepared and served in a clean and safe manner.

While the work can be demanding, especially during peak hours, it offers an opportunity for those entering the workforce to gain valuable experience in customer service, time management, and teamwork. For many, it serves as an entry point into the food service industry, providing foundational skills that can be built upon with experience and further training.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Fast-paced work environment with constant customer interaction.
Building teamwork and communication skills.
Opportunities for career growth within the food service industry.

You might make a good Fast Food and Counter Worker if you are...

Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
Good at multitasking and time management.
Personable and enjoy interacting with customers.
Interested in gaining experience in the food service industry.
Able to follow food safety guidelines and maintain cleanliness.

Pros:

Opportunities for flexible scheduling.
Entry-level position suitable for gaining work experience.
Potential for career growth in the food service sector.

Cons:

Physically demanding with long hours standing.
Can be high-pressure during peak dining times.
Typically lower wages and limited benefits.

How to become a Fast Food and Counter Worker

Typical education

Generally, there are no formal education requirements beyond a high school diploma or equivalent. Training is usually provided on the job. Some workers may choose to attend culinary school or take vocational training courses, but this is not typically required.

High school preparation

Courses:

Home Economics or Culinary Arts for basic food preparation skills.
Mathematics for handling cash and managing transactions.
Business Studies for understanding customer service and operations.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Part-time jobs or internships in food service or retail.
Volunteering in community events that involve food preparation and service.
Joining clubs that emphasize teamwork and customer interaction.

Preparation after high school

On-the-job training in fast-food or quick-service restaurants.
Short-term courses in food safety and customer service.
Vocational training programs in food service or hospitality.

More resources

National Restaurant Association - Provides information and resources related to careers in the food service industry.
ServSafe - Offers training and certification programs in food safety.
CareerOneStop - A resource for career exploration, training, and jobs, including information on food service careers.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.