The Uniforms Your Restaurant Needs

Uniforms say a lot about your business, especially when you have a complex business with many moving parts like a restaurant. Restaurants require a lot of different people who are carrying out many different roles in a speedy yet orderly manner. Getting your restaurant staff the correct uniforms will allow them to look their best and be their best at their jobs. The right restaurant uniform will offer something that looks great, matches your restaurant ethos, and allows your team to do their jobs in comfort. Here is our guide to the different kinds of uniforms your restaurant needs to support the success of your restaurant and team.

Executive Chefs and Managers

Executive chefs and restaurants managers are important roles to hold in a restaurant. With so many responsibilities and roles, executive chefs and managers need to look their absolute best while also wearing the uniform that will allow for functionality. An executive chef's uniform should distinguish them from the rest of the kitchen staff. Executive chefs will often wear black chef pants, while the rest of the kitchen will wear white or patterned pants. The chef coat will also have two rows of buttons to decide how to button his jacket to hide stains while still having mobility. Many chef jackets are also reversible. Be sure to have your executive chef’s name and position nicely embroidered onto the chef jackets, so they are easily recognizable.

Restaurant managers also need to look their best. Typically, this uniform will consist of a suit with a classic tie or bowtie in elegant or upscale restaurants. For women, consider a knee-length pencil skirt or suit pants with heels. For more casual dining, the restaurant manager should still look like they are a manager. Dressing in smart casual attire in a neutral color palette is a good rule of thumb.

Chefs and Cooks

Chef uniforms are important for any restaurant. They distinguish the role of the chef, are practical for cooking, and are comfortable to wear. Regardless of your type of restaurant, a chef’s uniform is generally the same across the board. A white double button chef jacket worn with black, white, or patterned pants. To make it a little more personal, consider embroidering the name of the chef and the name of the restaurant into the breast of the chef’s jacket. Chefs will also typically wear a chef’s hat, an apron with pockets, and comfortable shoes.

Cooks have a similar uniform to chefs, but a little less formal. Similarly, cooks will wear white cooking shirts, comfortable pants, and an apron with pockets. Sous chefs or cooks responsible for chopping vegetables or other food items can also sometimes wear a black apron to hide stains. While chefs wear proper jackets, cooks can often wear t-shirts, button-up shirts, and other more laid-back uniforms. If your restaurant has a more casual feel, your cooking staff might wear logo shirts that have the name of your restaurant on them.

Waitresses and Waiters

Waiters and waitresses interact the most with customers. This means that their uniform is the face of your restaurant and needs to make a great impression. The waitress and <waiter uniforms should match the ethos of your restaurant and look clean and stylish at all times. If you have a formal restaurant, waitstaff should be wearing black pants, a black or white button-down shirt, server vests or coats, as well as a formal apron.

For more casual dining, the uniforms can still be somewhat dressy without being too formal. Some restaurants have more casual uniforms like embroidery polo shirts with the restaurant name and logo, or perhaps, t-shirts, button-down shirts, or long-sleeved shirts. It’s best to have waitstaff wear dark pants to hide spills and stains easily until they can launder their uniforms.

Bartenders

If your restaurant has a bar, the bartenders will also need uniforms. Depending on the restaurant, your bartenders could be dressed in trendy and casual uniforms or ones that are professional and formal. Bartenders will typically also wear an apron for the functionality of their role, but other uniforms styles can include vests and coats.

Hosts and Hostesses

Hosts and hostesses welcome guests upon entering your restaurant, and they need to make a good first impression. For many restaurants, the host uniform is quite different from the rest. Because they don’t run around as much or handle food and drinks, they can afford to be dressed a little more formally—think dress pants and button-down shirts for men and dresses and custom uniform work blouses for women.

Dishwashers and Busboys

Dishwashers and bussers handle a lot of water, soap, and food scraps, so they need the proper uniforms for the job. Prioritize function over style to keep bussers and dishwashers comfortable during their shifts. Dishwashers typically wear a casual kitchen uniform that is easy to wear and clean. Bussers will wear an apron and a slightly less formal uniform than servers.

Uniforms can say a lot about your restaurant and the people who work there. Be sure your restaurant staff has the uniforms they need to look good and do their jobs well.