How To Write a Fast Food Worker Resume
A strong fast food worker resume shows your ability to handle high-pressure situations, work quickly on a team, and uphold food safety standards. With the tips and examples below, we’ll help you write a persuasive resume that features your work highlights and skills in the fast food industry.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Catch hiring managers’ interest with a compelling summary of your food service career so far. State your job title, total years of experience, and three to four key skills or achievements that align with the role you’re after. For instance, maybe you’ve won company awards for prompt and accurate service. Or maybe you proposed an efficient drive-thru process that improved service times. Sharing these experiences will help hiring managers see your value to their establishment.
Profile Example #1
Reliable fast food worker with over 10 years of experience. Consistently top-ranked in customer surveys for friendly, efficient service. Bilingual: fluent in English and Spanish.
Profile Example #2
Fast food worker committed to providing efficient, courteous service. Recently helped streamline workflow for rush periods, raising customer satisfaction scores by 30%. Thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
2. Add a detailed professional experience section
Use the professional experience section to show how you’ve driven positive results in past roles. Give examples of your success in helping quickly prepare and serve food orders, and try to quantify in terms of better service times or customer satisfaction scores. Since collaboration is key to your role, emphasize your ability to work productively with team members.
Professional Experience Example #1
Crew Member
Sam’s Sub Shop, Seattle, WA | February 2016 to October 2019
- Handled opening and closing shift duties and ensured store safety and cleanliness at all points
- Trained new hires on standard operating procedures (SOPs), and distributed employee handbooks
- Facilitated morning meetings with 10 to 12 employees
- Helped reduce drive-thru wait times by around two minutes
Professional Experience Example #2
Line Cook
Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pottstown, PA | July 2013 to September 2015
- Prepared over 100 orders per shift based on instructions from head cook and shift manager
- Operated commercial deep fryers, ovens, and other kitchen equipment
- Assisted with restaurant open, close, and regular maintenance procedures
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Give basic details on any education degrees, along with any certifications you’ve earned during your time in the fast food industry. For example, a Food Safety Manager Certification (e.g., ServSafe) helps show your knowledge and commitment to industry standards. Also, food handler permits are often necessary depending on your region, so include those credentials on your resume when applicable.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Graduate
Montgomery Central High School, Orlando, FL | 2011
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
Example:
ServSafe Food Handler, National Restaurant Association | 2020
4. List pertinent key skills
Include a key skills section to show the various ways you can collaborate and add value in your target fast food job. Below is a list of terms to consider for this section of your resume.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Cash handling | Cash register balancing |
| Conflict resolution | Customer relations and service |
| Drive-thru services | Efficiency improvement |
| Food safety and sanitation | High-volume food preparation |
| Kitchen equipment maintenance | Kitchen equipment operation |
| Kitchen operations | Order taking |
| OSHA regulations | Point-of-sale (POS) systems |
| Product promotions | Quality control |
| Store open and close procedures | Task prioritization |
| Team collaboration | Time management |
How To Pick the Best Fast Food Worker Resume Template
Your resume template should enhance your content, not distract from it. Opt for a clear and straightforward layout. Choose a design with easily readable fonts in appropriate colors and sizes. While images and bright graphics can look nice, it’s best to maintain a simple and professional appearance. Avoid colorful or elaborate designs that could detract from your writing.
Fast Food Worker Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
William Riley
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | 789 West Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Profile
Fast Food Worker committed to providing efficient, courteous service to customers. Thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
Key Skills
- Customer Relations & Service
- Efficiency Improvement
- Order Accuracy
- Task Prioritization
- Team Collaboration
Professional Experience
Shift Leader, Hot Pot, San Francisco, CA | November 2019 to Present
- Schedule and manage a group of 12-15 employees
- Oversee Health Department inspections, and work with franchise owner to follow requirements
- Monitor food and kitchen supplies, ordering more as needed
Highlight:
- Streamlined workflow for rush periods, raising customer satisfaction scores by 30%
Crew Member, Sam’s Sub Shop, Seattle, WA | February 2016 to October 2019
- Handled opening and closing shift duties, and ensured store safety and cleanliness at all points
- Trained new hires on SOPs, and distributed employee handbooks
- Facilitated morning meetings with 10-12 employees
- Helped reduce drive-thru wait times by ~2 minutes
Education
Graduate, Eastern High School, Seattle, WA | 2019
Monica Mercer
(444) 444-4444 | [email protected] | 100 First Street, Pittsburgh, PA 10000
Profile
Punctual, organized Fast Food Worker with experience both preparing food and managing staff. Skilled at preventing, addressing, and resolving customer complaints. Maintain clean, orderly spaces that comply with all health codes and restaurant standards. Adept trainer who motivates new hires to succeed.
Key Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Customer Relations & Service
- Efficiency Improvement
- Inventory Control
- New Hire Training
- Personnel Management
- Schedule & Payroll Management
Professional Experience
Restaurant Manager, Ricky’s Restaurant, Pittsburgh, PA | July 2018 to Present
- Schedule 30+ workers to cover all staffing needs of this 24-7 restaurant
- Oversee cleaning and maintenance procedures
- Address and resolve customer concerns in keeping with restaurant policies
- Recognize and promote high-performing employees
Highlights:
- Introduced training and scheduling policies that helped cut annual staff attrition by 40%
- Reduced customer cleanliness concerns by 80%
- Decreased equipment repair costs by 10%
Kitchen Manager, Arby’s, Philadelphia, PA | October 2015 to June 2018
- Ordered $10K in food supplies per week, checking all deliveries for accuracy
- Ensured safe food storage and preparation
- Addressed and resolved any scheduling conflicts among kitchen staff
- Created and updated menus to reflect company promotions and food supply
Line Cook, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pottstown, PA | July 2013 to September 2015
- Prepared 100+ orders per shift based on instructions from head cook and shift manager
- Operated commercial deep fryers, ovens, and other kitchen equipment
- Assisted with restaurant open, close, and regular maintenance procedures
Education
Graduate, Pittsburgh High School, Pittsburgh, PA | 2013
Brogan Tate
(987) 654-3210 | [email protected] | 123 Main Street, Orlando, FL 12345
Profile
Reliable Fast Food Worker with 10+ years of experience. Focused on providing top-quality customer service and experiences. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
Professional Experience
Team Member, Yummy Food, Orlando, FL | December 2016 to Present
- Process online and mobile meal orders
- Ensure kitchen staff receives correct details for each order
- Accurately package meals and process customer payments
- Address and answer client questions about food freshness and availability
- Check inventory daily and put in requests for items low in stock
- Clean and straighten counters and tables at end of each shift
Team Member, Downtown Eats, Orlando, FL | July 2011 to November 2016
- Helped cashiers take payments and process orders
- Measured and prepared raw food ingredients
- Helped clean the kitchen at end of each shift
- Ordered, received, and stored kitchen equipment and food supplies
- Upheld safety and sanitation standards
Highlight:
- Suggested a new refrigeration method that decreased food wastage by 17%
Education
Graduate, Montgomery Central High School, Orlando, FL | 2011
Key Skills
- Conflict & Complaint Resolution
- Customer Relations & Service
- Efficiency Improvement
- Fast Food Preparation
- Food Safety & Sanitation
- High-Volume Restaurant Operations
- OSHA Regulations
- Process Streamlining
- Product Upselling
- Task Prioritization
- Team Collaboration
- Time Management
Advice From a Recruiter: Chris Shatto
1. What are the most in-demand skills for fast food workers that should be featured on a candidate’s resume?+
Hard skills such as food safety knowledge, cash handling, and familiarity with point-of-sale systems should be prominently highlighted on their resumes. Equally important are soft skills like customer service, communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure, especially during peak hours. A candidate with a balance of these hard and soft skills positions themselves as a versatile and valuable team member.
2. What work experience and other accomplishments are hiring managers looking for in a fast food worker?+
Hiring managers typically look for candidates with experience in a fast-paced food service environment. This could range from previous fast food employment to experience in a coffee shop, cafeteria, or restaurant. Any accomplishments, such as Employee of the Month awards or recognition for exceptional customer service, should be highlighted. Handling increased responsibilities, like training new staff or managing inventory, can also impress prospective employers.
3. What else in addition to a resume should a fast food worker candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers?+
While resumes are crucial, a well-crafted cover letter can help a candidate stand out. It should illustrate their motivation for working in the fast food industry, highlight their relevant skills and experiences, and convey their enthusiasm for customer service. Additionally, references from previous employers or managers can be beneficial in corroborating the skills and work ethic mentioned in the resume.
4. What advice would you give a fast food worker candidate about their job search? +
Tailor their application materials to each job they apply to, emphasizing the skills and experiences that best align with the job description. Networking can also be beneficial, as many positions in the fast-food industry are filled by word-of-mouth recommendations. Lastly, demonstrating a positive attitude and a willingness to learn during the interview can leave a lasting impression on hiring managers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fast Food Worker Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for fast food worker resumes?+
For fast food workers, the best resume verbs pertain to teamwork and prompt service – think “streamlined,” “responded,” or “collaborated.” But there are various others you might use to describe your duties and contributions in this field. The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your fast food worker resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Adapted | Assisted |
| Cleaned | Collaborated |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Expedited | Helped |
| Improved | Increased |
| Maintained | Maximized |
| Organized | Partnered |
| Prepared | Prevented |
| Processed | Promoted |
| Provided | Ranked |
| Recommended | Recorded |
| Responded | Sanitized |
| Served | Streamlined |
| Upsold | Won |
How do you align your resume with a fast food worker job posting?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for food and beverage servers and related workers will increase by 9% between 2021 and 2031. This growth is attributed to the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As more people dine out, food establishments must hire more workers.
Although demand for fast food workers is rising, it’s still important to customize your resume to each job posting. To land a specific position, align your resume with the company’s needs. For instance, if a restaurant seeks someone with expertise in drive-thru efficiency, focus on your ability to handle drive-thru orders swiftly.
What is the best fast food worker resume format?+
Most fast food workers should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section and the functional format’s profile section.
A combination resume offers the best of both worlds by fusing these two sections. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section lets you display your career highlights at the top, regardless if they’re from that work history or another part of your background. The resulting resume is straightforward yet strategic. It gives hiring managers the clearest possible view of your experience and relevant skills, so they can make an informed decision to move ahead with your candidacy.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
With a strong cover letter, you can make a good first impression on hiring managers and boost your chance of an interview. But it’s important to customize your document to the needs of the company you’re interested in. To learn how, see our comprehensive cover letter guide. For more examples, see our server and waiter/waitress cover letter guides.
