Guide to Restaurant Uniforms

Along with the architecture and décor – and of course the food – your staff's uniforms make a powerful visual statement about your restaurant's style and identity.  With nothing more than a quick glance at a waitress uniform, diners can tell if your establishment promises an upscale gourmet experience, an ethnic flavor or a budget-conscious bite. Of course, uniforms need to be functional, too.

Keep form and function in mind when choosing:
     1.  Front-of-the-house uniforms such as waiter and waitress uniforms
     2.   Back-of-the-house uniforms such as chef clothing  

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Server aprons are an essential

Whether you outfit your wait staff in full waiter and waitress uniforms or let them wear their own clothing, aprons are a must. Servers use them to stash order pads, pens, checks, corkscrews, bottle openers, table scrapers and more. Choose a style that fits your image and has enough pockets.

I recommend: Find a list of restaurant uniform suppliers at MasterSeek.com, or choose from dozens of styles of bib aprons, cobbler aprons, waist aprons, bistro aprons and V-neck bib aprons at Uniform Warehouse.

Waiter and waitress uniforms

Choose colors to fit your décor. Depending on the type of restaurant you have, options include long- or short-sleeve button-down shirts, tuxedo shirts, polo shirts, T-shirts or waiter jackets. In some instances, a vest may be desirable as well. Most restaurateurs request that workers wear a specific color of pants of their own choosing. However, pants can be ordered as well if you desire a unified look.

I recommend: For the height of elegance, consider waiter and waitress uniforms from Cayson Culinary Designs. Visit RestaurantUniforms.com and KNG.com for a selection of shirts, pants and vests. Find more uniforms suppliers at Business.com.

Chef clothing

Chef uniforms are designed for comfort, function and style. If you have an open kitchen area where diners can see your kitchen in action, chef clothing style will play a bigger role.

I recommend: Find made-to-order chef clothing, including coats, pants, shirts, hats, vests, aprons and neckwear at CulinaryClassics.com.

Shoes are part of restaurant uniforms, too

Your servers and chefs are on their feet constantly, which makes comfortable shoes a requirement. Many restaurant owners let their workers wear their own shoes in a specified color. If you prefer a more consistent look, choose shoes designed for long hours of standing that are also slip resistant.

I recommend: Uniform Warehouse offers a variety of non-skid shoes in lace-up and slip-on styles. Find an assortment of comfortable shoes and clogs at chef apparel specialist AllHeartChefs.com.

Accessories can fill out your look

Neckwear, gloves, cummerbunds, suspenders, hats – these accessories can add flair to ho-hum restaurant uniforms.

I recommend: Check out the many accessories offered at WaitStuff.com.

Specialty restaurant uniforms

If you run a sushi restaurant, a Mexican eatery or some other ethnic restaurant, look for uniforms that fit your theme.

I recommend: Download a catalog that includes Japanese chef clothing, kimonos and wooden clogs at Export-Japan.com. Search for Hawaiian and tropical garments that make great restaurant uniforms at Squishwear.com. Fiesta fashions are available at PolosWithLogos.com.

Personalize restaurant uniforms with custom embroidery

Adding an embroidered name or logo – your own logo or a stock logo, such as a steaming cup of coffee, a sombrero or a wine glass – to your uniforms can reinforce your restaurant's image. Embroidering your server's name on each uniform can improve server-diner relations. When placing your company name or server's name, choose a font that fits with your brand. For example, consider elegant script for a sophisticated look, sans-serif for a sleek modern feel and fun styles for a kid-friendly approach.

I recommend: Embroider your company name, a logo or server's name at KNG.com.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Fabrics: Look for easy-care garments that are stain-repellant and wrinkle resistant -- especially for chef clothing.
• Picking up the tab: Businesses must cover the costs of all restaurant uniforms. However, if you simply request that servers wear a specific and common color for shirts, pants or shoes, employees are responsible for the costs.
• Shoes: Most restaurant owners simply ask servers to wear shoes of a certain color and style, for example, black athletic shoes.

The official source of Restaurant Uniforms is the Restaurant Uniforms page at Business.com