Service Assistant

Position: Service Assistant

Brand: Denny’s

Reports To: Restaurant Manager/General Manager/Manager on Duty

Job Overview

The Service Assistant supports servers and overall restaurant operations by maintaining clean dining areas, assisting with table turnover, and ensuring guests have a clean and welcoming dining environment. This role is essential to efficient service flow and guest satisfaction in a full-service restaurant.

Key Responsibilities

Dining Room Support

• Clear, clean, and reset tables promptly between guests.
• Assist servers with food delivery, refills, and guest requests as directed.
• Maintain cleanliness of dining areas, service stations, and aisles.
• Support timely table turnover to meet service and seating needs.

Cleaning & Side Work

• Sweep and mop floors, wipe tables and chairs, and sanitize surfaces.
• Remove trash and transport bus tubs or carts to designated areas.
• Restock service stations with supplies such as napkins, silverware, and condiments.
• Clean restrooms as assigned.
• Perform any other cleaning or side work tasks assigned by management.

Restaurant Operations

• Follow food safety, sanitation, and safety procedures.
• Use cleaning chemicals and equipment safely and properly.
• Communicate table status and support needs to servers and management.

Teamwork & Professionalism

• Work collaboratively with servers, hosts, cooks, and management.
• Follow direction from managers and shift leaders.
• Maintain a positive attitude and professional behavior.
• Demonstrate reliability and consistent attendance.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

Physical Activity

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Bending, stooping, twisting, reaching, and grasping.
• Carrying bus tubs, trays, dishes, and supplies.
• Pushing and pulling carts or trash containers.
• Communicating with restaurant team members and management.

Physical Requirements

• Standing and walking for the majority of the work shift.
• Lifting and carrying ranges:
• 0–10 lbs: Frequent
• 11–25 lbs: Frequent
• 26–50 lbs: Occasional with assistance
• 51–75 lbs: Seldom; team-lift only
• Frequent repetitive hand and arm movements.

Work Environment

• Work performed in dining room, kitchen pass-through, and service areas.
• Exposure to noise, crowds, wet or slippery floors, hot items, and cleaning chemicals.
• Fast-paced environment with variable schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Cognitive Demands (ADA/FEHA-Compliant)

• Ability to follow instructions and cleaning procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Requirements

• Previous restaurant or cleaning experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to perform cleaning and physical tasks throughout the shift.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

This document describes the job and its traditional physical, cognitive, and environmental demands. It does not describe the abilities of any individual employee.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.