Working as a Restaurant Server

[GalDisney]

Is it possible to earn a living (support yourself entirely) while employed as a server working for tips?
I am looking for a change of employment /flexible hours so i can return to school FT while supporting myself. I have never worked as a server before but know it is possible to earn good tips. Has anyone here ever worked as as a server and been able to completely support themselves. (pay rent, school, groceries, bills, etc).??

 

[Cool-Beans]

It's doable if you are willing to live somewhere cheap, work hard, and work a lot. Most servers like to get a Friday or Saturday night off now and then and you pick it up. More money those nights, too.

You work like a dog and have to take a lot of crap from a lot of not so nice people, but if you get the knack for it, it isn't so bad. You might want to start off somewhere easy, like Pizza Hut to get your feet wet. Do it for a month, then go to a real restaurant. That's my advice.

It most likely won't pay for school, but if you're waitressing, then you'll get beaucoup financial aid.

Most restaurants give the waitresses free (or almost free) meals. And if you make friends in the kitchen, you'll never have to pay. This cuts down on the grocery bill.

Now that so many people use credit cards to give their tips, there isn't as much money in it (restaurants take taxes out of every tip that is charged), but it can still be done. It isn't easy, though!

Good luck!

 

[Ms Marigny]

In my case, yes and no... I always had a roommate when I worked in the service industry and went to school FT. So, all of the bills got paid but they were split in half with my roommate. Now, if you worked at a higher end restaurant and made bigger tips, it might be more feasible. Most of the people I worked with that were in school had roommates also.

Now my aunt was a divorced mother of three kids and supported all of them while working as a server. It was hard, but they survived. So I guess it is certainly possible, but it could be difficult.

Good luck to you!

 

[Ms Marigny]

It most likely won't pay for school, but if you're waitressing, then you'll get beaucoup financial aid.

Most restaurants give the waitresses free (or almost free) meals. And if you make friends in the kitchen, you'll never have to pay. This cuts down on the grocery bill.

This is definitely true-
Student loans can help with tuition- you may be even eligible for a grant, depending on your circumstances- it can't hurt to apply.

And while I was a server, I hardly ever had to go to the grocery store. I was always friends with the guys in the kitchen.

 

[princesspiglet]

I think it all depends on were you work and how many hours per week. I worked as a server during my 5 college years and I made about 400 per week and I worked between 20-30 hours per week and attended school full time. I was dead tired...all the time! I did get financial aid and still have $25k to pay back 10 years later. I worked alot of Friday/Saturday nights and Sunday am. I worked at TGIF. Yes, I had flair!!

Anyway, I did pretty much support myself, but I lived in a very cheap apt, had no cable, no cell phone, and lived on food from the restaurant, canned tuna and ramen noodles. I also had a roommate who paid half the rent.

I admit I did spend alot of my money on beer and stayed for drinks alot after hours at the restaurant, so I probably could have had alot more money then I did. I had to pay for my rent, books, clothes, groceries, etc. I made it through and actually managed to save $5000 from my wages over 5 years.

So while I do think it is possible, it is also alot of work. However, I still had a blast in college and managed to have a boyfirend and pledge a sorority..so I still had a life!

Do you have anyone else to support or is it just yourself? Also, make sure you work someplace that has a bar, like TGIF, Outback, etc. You will not make crap at someplace like IHOP or Perkins. The money is where the alcohol is. Bartenders make even more and usually work less hours.

 

[Kahana-ri]

Depends on where you work. I worked for an Italian restaurant where the menu wasn't cheap. I did well and made a lot of money just a few nights a week. Through college I worked at a pizza and Italian food restaurant that paid well enough for me to get through college years. You have to find the right place and work the tips. I think food service is an excellent way to make cash and its a great trade to know.

 

[Poohnatic]

Depends on where you work and the clientele they tend to get.

I worked at Outback for 6 months, and I'd average 100-150 on Friday night and 150-200 on Saturday nights, working 12 hour shifts (a requirement). However, after tipout to the busboy, hostess and bartender, I took home an average of 10% of the checks. Our joke was 'quit drinking my tip', because the guests who drank more than two drinks were the worst tippers.

I switched to Pizzeria Uno and the work was easier, the tips were better, and the hours were shorter. I'd average 75 to 100 on Friday and 100-125 on Saturday, working a 6-8 hour shift. I averaged about 18% take home after tip out.

Can you survive on it? If you're outgoing and in the right place, definitely. My mom supported 4 kids, paid a house payment and all that's related on a waitress salary. That was a five night a week gig in a nice seafood restaurant.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Suzanne

 

[Pop Daddy]

Is it possible to earn a living (support yourself entirely) while employed as a server working for tips?

if your sexy

 

[ktpool]

I think it all depends on were you work and how many hours per week. I worked as a server during my 5 college years and I made about 400 per week and I worked between 20-30 hours per week and attended school full time. I was dead tired...all the time! I did get financial aid and still have $25k to pay back 10 years later. I worked alot of Friday/Saturday nights and Sunday am. I worked at TGIF. Yes, I had flair!!

Anyway, I did pretty much support myself, but I lived in a very cheap apt, had no cable, no cell phone, and lived on food from the restaurant, canned tuna and ramen noodles. I also had a roommate who paid half the rent.

I admit I did spend alot of my money on beer and stayed for drinks alot after hours at the restaurant, so I probably could have had alot more money then I did. I had to pay for my rent, books, clothes, groceries, etc. I made it through and actually managed to save $5000 from my wages over 5 years.

So while I do think it is possible, it is also alot of work. However, I still had a blast in college and managed to have a boyfirend and pledge a sorority..so I still had a life!

Do you have anyone else to support or is it just yourself? Also, make sure you work someplace that has a bar, like TGIF, Outback, etc. You will not make crap at someplace like IHOP or Perkins. The money is where the alcohol is. Bartenders make even more and usually work less hours.

Hey, were you my roommate at some point???? Just kidding, but you could have been!

I supported myself working at TGIF for 10 years (plus a coule of years at a TGIF sister restaurant - now defunct - Dalt's). I really liked the flexibility and made great money. I also agree that bartending is where the money was, most of the time. But I remember a few nights walking out with >$300. Of course, there were slow days I would make less than $10 after tipping out!

So- good money, hard work and you won't get rich! But it can be fun - at least when I was young! I can't believe now I would go out dancing after working a double shift. I get tired thinking about it now!

 

[Hobbitmomma]

Well, I would say it depends on what type of restaurant you work in. The higher price the menu, the higher the tips. The problem is, the higher end restaurants want people with experience. I worked as a server for 10 years and did ok. But the restaurant where I worked had a high priced menu and all of the waitstaff were professional classical singers. Yes, a singing waiter restaurant. So that is a unique situation. My husband put himself through business school waiting tables and then later, bartending. So it can be done, but as previous posters stated, it's not easy. You work your butt off and take a lot of abuse from customers as well as kitchen staff. (Wait until you return something to the chef because the customer didn't like it. You are caught in the middle and you get abused by both!)

 

[mudnuri]

bartenders make more money

Worked 13 !/2 hours last night, came home with $450. Not to shabby

Brandy