Server Tips: Table Setting and Clearing

In this article: A beginners guide to perfect table setting, pre-bussing, and clearing for servers, bartenders, and restaurant support staff.

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Whether you’re a restaurant manager, server or bartender, table setting and clearing is a critical part of service.

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The way that your tables are set greatly impacts your guests experience - everything from the theme of your venue or overall ambience can be influenced by table settings. 

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It’s their first impression!

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Beyond that, pre-bussing throughout the meal and fully clearing at the end are also critical parts of the guest experience. Plus, the more efficient you can be when resetting tables for the next party the better - shorter wait times for guests, and more money in your pocket at the end of the night.

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In this Server Tips series article we’re taking a deep dive into the do’s and don'ts of table setting and clearing to help you make the most out of your shift.

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Table Setting

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First things first, let’s define what we mean by table setting: The table setting includes anything that is on the table when a party is seated. This could include placemats, plates, cutlery, napkins, glassware, centerpiece, condiments, salt and pepper, and anything else the guest needs during their meal.

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There are many different factors that come into play when designing table settings, such as: 

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• The type of food you serve - For example, a sushi restaurant will need to have soy sauce dishes at each place setting.
• Service style - A fine dining restaurant will use linens, while a fast casual restaurant may use paper napkins.
• Aesthetics - Colors, textures, and materials to match the style and vibe of your restaurant.

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It’s important to design a table setting that makes sense for your guests and your team. It should include everything they need, but nothing more. Having too many elements not only overwhelms your guests, but will slow down your team when they need to clear or reset tables.

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Once your table setting is locked in, make sure everyone on your team is properly trained on the details.

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Related - How Guest Experience Improves When Restaurant Managers Communicate Expectations Clearly With Their Team

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Pre-bussing

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Once guests are seated at the table their dining experience has begun. From now on, the focus should be on consistently pre-bussing.

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What is pre-bussing? Pre-bussing is clearing away anything on the table that the guests no longer need. This could be dirty plates or cutlery, empty glasses, small pieces of trash, or dirty linens.

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The goal with pre-bussing is to never leave anything unpleasant in front of the guest. It is also the most efficient way to bus tables, because instead of having a ton of stuff to clear at the end of the meal, you’re constantly removing things from the table.

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Pre-bussing is something that everyone in the venue should be responsible for. Of course sometimes it gets busy and the support team will be doing the majority of the clearing, but as a server or bartender, if you are talking to a table and notice that something can be removed from the table, remove it! 

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Related: Server Tips: The Importance of Pre-Bussing

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Course Setting

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Depending on the restaurant and service style, there may be one or many times where it’s necessary to reset the table between courses. This is referred to as course setting, and is an important part of the guest experience.

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After guests are finished with a course, be sure to clear away all dirty plates and cutlery. Next you’ll want to set them up with everything they need before the next course arrives. 

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Tip: This will be a little different at every restaurant, so managers should clearly outline the specifics for team members to follow when course setting.

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Sometimes course setting is as simple as setting a steak knife in front of guests who ordered steak, and other times it’s a bit more complex and requires more effort. 

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Similar to pre-bussing, course setting should be done throughout the guests visit with you to ensure they have absolutely everything they need!

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Related: Server Tips: How To Anticipate Guest Needs, Keeping You Out Of The Weeds

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Full Clear

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When the meal is over and you have confirmed with the guests that they would not like to order anything else, you can begin the full clear.

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Fully clearing the table only happens at the very end of the meal once everyone is finished eating. There may still be drinks left, but no more food is being consumed, ordered or served.

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If the table has been properly pre-bussed throughout the meal, then hopefully you won’t have too much work to do here! Clear out any dirty dishes, cutlery, napkins, and any other trash items on the table. If necessary, bring a clean cloth with a small amount of sanitation fluid on it and wipe the table down to give your guests a clean space to sit while they relax and pay the bill.

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It’s important to remember that you should never drop a check on a table until it is fully cleared! From a guest perspective, paying the bill (and tipping) when there are dirty dishes and clutter around isn’t the greatest feeling.

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Related: Server Tips: 3 Best Practices for Dealing With Difficult Customers

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Resetting Tables

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Once the guests have gotten up from the table and left the restaurant, it’s time to reset the table for the next party.

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If you were able to fully clear the table before dropping the check with your previous guests, then hopefully there won’t be much work to do here. You’ll want to remove anything remaining on the table, then completely sanitize it. You’ll also want to wipe down the seats and be sure to look around the floor area for any messes that need to be cleaned.

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When the table is clean, you can reset it per your restaurant's specifications. The faster a table is reset the faster the next party can sit, and the process will repeat!

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Conclusion

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Table setting, course setting, pre-bussing and clearing are all important factors that influence guests' experience. They’re also important skills that can help you to be more efficient and less overwhelmed during service.

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Be sure to take a few moments to fine tune your table setting and clearing process, and see if there’s any way you and your team can improve. Remember that the goal is to make everyone’s life a little easier! Trust us, your team and your guests will thank you.