How To: Increase your sales as a server with every table in the first 10 minutes.

We have all heard the saying "Work Smarter, not harder." Well, in my 15 years in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry. I have practiced and learned many different ways to put that saying in to play. One of the best ways I have learned to make money serving tables is obviously to get the table ( guests, customers, whatever you want to call them) is to spend more money themselves right out of the gate. Typically as servers the goal is to get a 20% tip per check. So , that being said , one way to increase the amount of money you make, is to increase the amount of a guests' check. Not only does this put more money in your pockets, increased sales makes you look good to your managers, because you are making them look good to their boss(es). Which in turn puts many different things in your favor. Think about it like this if you are making the restaurant more money when you are there, they are going to want to keep you happy, in order to keep you there making everyone more money. It give you jus that more leverage in regards to you will have more say in your schedule. What shifts you want, what sections you preferer, etc..

All in all , it's a great deal and everybody wins. So that being said this is just a few small tips and tricks to increase your checks in the first 15 min.

Step one ( The obvious) but remember to smile and greet table warmly and enthusiastically. You don't have to over do it. Don't feel like you are their dancing monkey, but be the best version of yourself. It will make people like you more than just their average server that much more ( maybe just enough to round up that tip a few extra dollars). Which may not sound like much , but if that happens 10 times a shift, think about how much that alone increases you revenue.

Step two, suggestive selling. People are typically taught this, but often forget how much power it truly holds. Don't just be that automated machine suggesting whatever is on the board out front, or the same old line you have been using for the last 7 months. Be creative, vibe out the guests. Do they have kids? Suggest something kids love , fried pickles , mozzarella sticks, something of that nature. Once the kids hear it and get excited about it typically the parents will bite at the bit and bam, you just added and $5-$7 ( obviously depending on restaurant's charge) to the bill. Does your table seem like a couple on a first date, and seem nervous? Offer them 2 glasses, heck, a bottle of wine! Shoot for the moon. Read your guests, after some practice you will learn and get better at it, and find what sells most, always try and offer to more expensive items if a guests ask what good. Why would suggest the cheeseburger you eat at half price on your break? Offer the salmon, and suggest the loaded baked potato side for un upcharge instead of just sticking with the rice. There is always an opportunity to make more money on every single check. Don't let it pass you by, you are there to make money. If they do order the cheeseburger, ass them if they want to add bacon, or avocado , for an upcharge of course.

In all doing taking actions with these few steps can increase your checks, which in turn brings you ample opportunity to make more money in more ways than one. It also has the potential to put you in the best sections on the best shifts if you have higher sales than other servers. Give these two steps a try to start making more money now.

A