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
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.
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.
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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.
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.
Accessories can fill out your look
Neckwear, gloves, cummerbunds, suspenders, hats – these accessories can add flair to ho-hum restaurant uniforms.
Specialty restaurant uniforms
If you run a sushi restaurant, a Mexican eatery or some other ethnic restaurant, look for uniforms that fit your theme.
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.
- 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.
