Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content Can't find what you're looking for?

Job profiles

Counter service assistant

  • Hours

    Variable

  • Starting salary

    £10,500 + per year

If you are friendly, polite and want a job in the food industry, this could be the ideal job for you.

As a counter service assistant you would greet and serve customers buying food in a range of eating places, including snack bars, canteens, cafes, fast food outlets and self-service restaurants.

In this job you will need good customer service skills, to make customers feel welcome and deal with their orders correctly. You'll need to be a good team player. You'll also need to be able to work under pressure and handle cash accurately.

To get into this work you will not usually need any qualifications. However, previous experience in hospitality, catering or customer service would give you an advantage. You could do a course in hospitality and catering to develop your skills. You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship.



The work

Your main duties would include:

  • serving food and drinks
  • keeping the eating and serving areas clean and tidy
  • operating the till, taking cash and card payments, and giving out change and receipts
  • cleaning and clearing tables
  • providing timely and accurate counter service and maximising sales.

Depending on the type of outlet, you may also prepare food, and mix sauces. In smaller places such as snack bars, you may prepare all food and drinks. In fast food restaurants you would normally be trained to do basic cooking or re-heating.


Hours

Full time, part time and seasonal work is often available. This may include evening and weekend shifts. Restaurants and kitchens can be hot, humid, noisy and very busy. You will need a smart appearance and your employer may provide a uniform.


Income

  • Starting salaries for full-time counter service assistants can be between £10,500 and £13,500 a year
  • With experience this can rise to around £15,000
  • Supervisors can earn around £17,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.


Entry requirements

You will not usually need any qualifications to become a counter service assistant. Previous experience in hospitality, catering or customer service would give you an advantage. The following qualifications may also be useful:

  • Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry
  • Level 1 Certificate in General Food and Beverage Service Skills
  • Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering.

You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme such as the Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering (Hospitality Services). To find out more about Apprenticeships in hospitality, visit:


Training and development

You would be trained on the job by experienced members of staff. Some large fast food chains have detailed training programmes for new staff.

Whichever setting you work in, you can expect to be trained in areas such as customer service and food safety. You may also be encouraged to work towards qualifications such as:

  • Level 2 Award in the Principles of Customer Service in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel & Tourism
  • Level 2 Award in Practical Food Safety
  • Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Services.

Skills and knowledge

To be a counter service assistant you will need to have:

  • a welcoming, friendly and polite manner
  • good customer service skills
  • the ability to work as part of a team
  • high standards of personal hygiene
  • the ability to work under pressure
  • the ability to handle money accurately.

More information

Springboard UK (Opens new window)
http://springboarduk.net

People 1st (Opens new window)
2nd Floor
Armstrong House
38 Market Square
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 1LH
Tel: 01895 817 000
www.uksp.co.uk/ (careers information)
www.people1st.co.uk


Opportunities

You could work in a variety of eating places, including cafes, self-service restaurants, business canteens, schools, colleges, snack bars, and fast food outlets. With experience you could progress to a supervisory position or move into a similar role within restaurants.

Jobs are advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus offices and on:

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (Opens in a new window) there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.


Related industry information

Industry summary

The food and service management industry (sometimes known as contract catering) is represented by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism. The hospitality, travel and tourism sector incorporates the following industries: contract food service providers, events, gambling, holiday parks, hospitality services, hostels, hotels, membership clubs, pubs, bars and nightclubs, restaurants, self-catering accommodation, tourist services, and visitor attractions. The sector accounts for a workforce of 2.1 million, most of which are based within the restaurants, hospitality services, and pubs, bars and nightclubs industries. The roles within the sector are extremely diverse and include managers, technical staff, front-of-house staff, back-of-house staff, and non-core staff.

Where services are outsourced to an external provider this is known as ‘food service and management’ provision. Food and service management providers support a number of wider industries ranging from traditional hospitality based industries (such as hotels and restaurants), to other areas (such as education and oil‐rigs). The industry provides food and drink services, housekeeping services, linen and security

Key facts:

  • There are 185,800 people working in the food and service management industry.
  • 17% of the workforce has an NVQ Level 4 or above qualification.
  • The majority of the workforce has a NVQ Level 2 qualification (31%).
  • 8% of the workforce has no qualifications.
  • The industry employs a large number of migrant workers.
  • 55% of the workforce is employed full‐time.

[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]

Jobs in the industry range from: kitchen assistant, chef, bar person, waiting staff, assistant bar manager, general manager, assistant head housekeeper, housekeeper, cleaner, conference and banqueting manager, crew member, floor manager, porter, receptionist.


National and regional data

East Midlands – There are approximately 10,800 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • 63% of the workforce is female
  • 91% of the workforce is white
  • 24% of the workforce is 35‐39 years
  • 54% work full‐time
  • 31% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

East of England – There are approximately 18,500 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • 60% of the workforce is female
  • 89% of the workforce is white
  • 14% of the workforce is 25‐29 years
  • 55% work full‐time
  • 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

London – There are approximately 28,900 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • Workforce is evenly split between men and women
  • 62% of the workforce is white
  • 18% of the workforce is 30‐34 years and 18% is 35‐39 years
  • 61% work full‐time
  • 28% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

North East – There are approximately 6,600 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • 81% of the workforce is female
  • 23% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
  • 44% work full‐time
  • 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

North West – There are approximately 20,200 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • 67% of the workforce is female
  • 97% of the workforce is white
  • 25% of the workforce is 50‐54 years
  • 51% work full‐time
  • 26% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

South East – There are approximately 29,500 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • 69% of the workforce is female
  • 93% of the workforce is white
  • 19% of the workforce is 40‐44 years
  • 54% work full‐time
  • 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

South West – There are approximately 16,300 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • 68% of the workforce is female
  • 19% of the workforce is 55‐54 years
  • 59% work full‐time
  • 40% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 and entry level qualification

West Midlands – There are approximately 14,700 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • 84% of the workforce is female
  • 90% of the workforce is white
  • 24% of the workforce is 45‐49 years
  • 54% work full‐time
  • 32% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are approximately 11,300 people working in the food and service management industry in this region, of which:

  • 69% of the workforce is female
  • 97% of the workforce is white
  • 18% of the workforce is 45‐49 years
  • 55% work full‐time
  • 38% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

Northern Ireland – There are approximately 43,900 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Northern Ireland, of which 5,500 work in the food and service management industry in 100 establishments. Details are as follows:

  • 86% of the workforce is female
  • 25% of the workforce is 40‐44
  • 55% work full‐time
  • 43% of the workforce has an NVQ level 1 qualification

Scotland – There are approximately 183,500 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Scotland, of which 16,200 work in the food and service management industry in 2,100 establishments. Details are as follows:

  • 60% of the workforce is female
  • 97% of the workforce is white
  • 17% of the workforce is 35‐39 and 17% is 60‐64
  • 55% work full‐time
  • 31% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

Wales – There are approximately 86,100 people working in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector as whole in Wales, of which 7,200 work in the food and service management industry in 800 establishments. Details are as follows:

  • 60% of the workforce is female
  • 100% of the workforce is white
  • 44% of the workforce is 40‐44
  • 61% work full‐time
  • 57% of the workforce has an NVQ level 2 qualification

[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2009.]


Career paths


Further sources


View full Job market information


Other sectors and industries relevant to this job






Get skills in..

Want to get the skills needed to be prepared for this job? Click on the links below to see relevant courses.



What are people talking about today?

View our Forums

Career Tools

We’re interested in your opinion!

We’d like to know what you think of the National Careers Service website.

If you would like to take part in a short survey after you have finished using the website, please click ‘yes’ below.