Applebee’s Server Job Description & Interview
Job Description and Duties
What Does an Applebee’s Server Do?
A typical Applebee’s server provides customer service to restaurant patrons. Specific job duties include taking food and drink orders, serving food and drink, and carrying out patron requests. Some Applebee’s also require servers to assist with food preparation in the kitchen and table bussing on the floor.
Physical Requirements and Training Period
Serving jobs involve working on foot for long periods of time and memorizing orders. Training may take up to a week, in some cases, and highlights customer service etiquette and proper protocol for handling food. Applebee’s servers must also learn how to use the computer system to ring up orders and process payment.
Salary and Compensation
How Much Do They Get Paid?
Most Applebee’s servers generally work part-time hours. A typical shift may last anywhere between three and ten hours, depending on restaurant location. Salary options for Applebee’s servers usually consist of wages around the state minimum wage for tipped employees. Applebee’s servers also possess the ability to earn cash tips in addition to hourly pay.
Additional Employee Benefits
Some Applebee’s locations may offer employee benefits, as well. New-hire, entry-level servers may need to gain some experience before qualifying for job benefits. Specific work benefits may include discounts on meals, healthcare coverage, and paid time off. Eligibility for Applebee’s employment benefits typically varies by location and worker experience.
Next:
Search Applebee’s jobs near you
Review the Applebee’s Application page.
Applebee’s Server Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties?
Applebee’s Server: I was a server, so I was responsible for taking orders from the customers, taking the orders, and then picking them orders up back in the kitchen, and we’re delivering it in the dining room.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Applebee’s Server: Upbeat and fun. Very, very busy. Not boring at all. I liked the environment and the atmosphere more so than anything on a job. That was my star five there.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Applebee’s Server: I liked the fact that they gave us the hours. They were flexible. If I needed more hours, there was always opportunity for more hours, and the fact that I was able to work full-time and also the insurance benefits with that.
Interviewer: Please describe the application and interview process.
Applebee’s Server: Okay. The application was nice. Just your standard, you know, application. The interviewing, it was a standard interview with the supervisor. They told me that they were going to call me back like the next day or within the next two days because they really needed people, but they ended up calling me that evening and hired me.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Applebee’s Server: Had I ever done it before? My experience basically. Was I available full-time? Was I available on call? Do you have an open schedule because they really wanted you to be able to like work all different hours. They were really pressed about that. Then, of course, background check and experience, which I was.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Applebee’s Server: I would say to make sure that they have an open schedule, so that they can get more hours. Be more flexible in terms of working there because you’ll get like even a little bit of over time if that’s possible. But they don’t have like a standard schedule. I mean, they do, but you don’t get to work as many hours as you would. If you say, “Oh, I only can work from 10:30 to like 3:00 every day, I’m not available, and only Monday through Friday,” you’re not going to get the hours.
Applebee’s Server Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Applebee’s Server: I am a server. I have to take tables. Depending on how big my section is, the table numbers vary. I have to take orders, get drinks, put orders in, take food out, and get refills. All that.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Applebee’s Server: The one I work at, it’s not too busy. So it’s kind of a steady environment. We don’t get; well, I haven’t seen it too crazy there, yet. Everyone’s pretty fun. All the customers I’ve had are interactive and they like to have a good time. So, it makes it a fun place to work.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Applebee’s Server: I like that they’re open to you moving up in the company. Like if they see that you’re a good server you could move up to be a shift leader and up to a manager and all that. I mean, if that’s what you wanted your career to be, then it would be a good place to start out.
Interviewer: Did you earn any benefits or other job perks?
Applebee’s Server: We get 50% off our meals and we don’t have to be working. I can go to any Applebee’s; as long as I have a pay stub, I can get my discount. Also, I don’t know if all stores do this, but my managers do like little contests where if you sell this many drinks or this many of certain things, then they’ll give you like gas cards or gift cards or something like that. So, it keeps us pretty motivated.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Applebee’s Server: You get there and clock in. There’s a list of side work you have to do throughout your shift. So, like if I have to keep the drink area clean, then I make sure the ice is filled, cups are stocked, straws are stocked; all that. I take care of my tables and try not to have any mistakes. And when you’re finished you have another thing of side work to do. You have to count out your money and you have to tip out bartenders and host. And then you’re done.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Applebee’s Server: For me it was kind of easy because a girl that I’m friends with worked there, so she kind of talked to the manager about me and I came in and he talked to me and he said, you know: “I know you have experience. I’m looking for someone like that. And based off what I hear from your friend, you sound like a good person.” So, that was pretty much it.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Applebee’s Server: Just whether I had served before and whether I feel comfortable doing it.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Applebee’s Server: You have to be friendly and outgoing. You have to be outspoken. You can’t be shy being a server. You definitely want to brush up on your sports knowledge while working there because people come in to watch games and you want to know what’s on and what’s going on. But other than that, it’s a good place to work. I like it. It’s fun. Make money.
