What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Fast Food and Counter Workers in the U.S. earn more than $31,200 a year — the middle 80% land between $22,840 and $42,650. About 3.9 million people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Fast Food and Counter Workers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$31,200typical pay / year
3.9 millionpeople in this work
$42,650+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Sending & sharing2
Serve food to customers promptly
+Serve the next customer at counter with their hot items within three minutes, ring the order, accept card or…
Serve food to customers promptly
+Serve the next customer at counter with their hot items within three minutes, ring the order, accept card or cash, reheat the fries to crisp, offer a drink upgrade, thank them and place food on clean tray for immediate pickup.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooks Point of SaleO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Set tables or prepare food stations
+Prepare the breakfast station for the lunch rush: lay down clean placemats, fill napkin and cutlery caddies,…
Set tables or prepare food stations
+Prepare the breakfast station for the lunch rush: lay down clean placemats, fill napkin and cutlery caddies, stock condiment bottles, label allergen items, and run a surface temperature and sanitizer wipe check before opening.
The tools that do the workMenu and nutrition databasejob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
The daily work19
Greet customers
+Greet every customer as they approach the counter with eye contact and a smile, ask if they're dining in or…
Greet customers
+Greet every customer as they approach the counter with eye contact and a smile, ask if they're dining in or taking away, mention today's special and a suggested upsell, and hand a menu if they look undecided.
The tools that do the workNCR NeighborhoodPOSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Clean work areas
+Clear and sanitize the counter and service surfaces between rushes, restock napkins and condiments, inspect…
Clean work areas
+Clear and sanitize the counter and service surfaces between rushes, restock napkins and condiments, inspect the prep area for spills or cross‑contamination, and log completion on the cleaning checklist before lunch.
The tools that do the workMenu and nutrition databasejob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Prepare food and drinks
+Prepare drinks and menu items to order using standard recipes, check temperatures and portion sizes, use…
Prepare food and drinks
+Prepare drinks and menu items to order using standard recipes, check temperatures and portion sizes, use reheating procedures when needed, plate consistently, and call out the order for pickup within three minutes.
The tools that do the workAldelo Systems Aldelo for Restaurants Projob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Take customer orders
+Take each customer's order clearly, repeat it back to confirm modifications and allergies, suggest one…
Take customer orders
+Take each customer's order clearly, repeat it back to confirm modifications and allergies, suggest one complementary item, confirm total and payment type, then enter the order so the kitchen starts immediately.
The tools that do the workIntuit QuickBooks Point of Salejob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Distribute food to servers.
+Assemble completed plates by ticket number, check each plate for correctness and temperature, place them on…
Distribute food to servers.
+Assemble completed plates by ticket number, check each plate for correctness and temperature, place them on the service pass in order, call the server's name, and note any special delivery instructions on the ticket.
The tools that do the workMICROS Systems HSI Profits SeriesO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Serve food and beverages
+Carry trays to the table with steady hands, confirm the guest's name or table number, present plates…
Serve food and beverages
+Carry trays to the table with steady hands, confirm the guest's name or table number, present plates politely, mention one care note about hot items, and ask if they need anything else before leaving.
The tools that do the workNCR Advanced Checkoutjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Answer questions about menu
+Answer customer questions about menu items, including ingredients, common allergens, portion sizes, and…
Answer questions about menu
+Answer customer questions about menu items, including ingredients, common allergens, portion sizes, and recommended upsells, and follow up if they ask for reheating instructions or nutrition facts before confirming their order.
The tools that do the workMenu and nutrition databasejob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Assemble food items for serving or packaging
+Assemble each order to order ticket specifications: portion proteins, add sauces and sides, pack hot items to…
Assemble food items for serving or packaging
+Assemble each order to order ticket specifications: portion proteins, add sauces and sides, pack hot items to keep temperature, label with order name and reheating instructions, then hand to the runner or bag for delivery.
The tools that do the workAldelo Systems Aldelo for Restaurants ProO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.
+Supervise shift team: run the pre-shift checklist, coach two new hires on safe reheating, check hygiene…
Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.
+Supervise shift team: run the pre-shift checklist, coach two new hires on safe reheating, check hygiene compliance, handle one scheduling change, and log completed training notes before leaving the shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Relay orders to kitchen staff
+Relay each incoming order to the kitchen with any modifications or allergy notes, confirm estimated pickup…
Relay orders to kitchen staff
+Relay each incoming order to the kitchen with any modifications or allergy notes, confirm estimated pickup time, escalate rush items to the cook, and mark the ticket complete when the kitchen acknowledges it.
The tools that do the workNCR Advanced Checkoutjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Stock service stations
+Restock the service station every two hours: refill napkins, cutlery, condiments, and sanitizer; rotate…
Stock service stations
+Restock the service station every two hours: refill napkins, cutlery, condiments, and sanitizer; rotate packaged items by date, note low inventory, and clean surfaces before the lunch rush.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Clear tables
+Clear tables promptly after customers leave: remove dishes and trash, wipe and sanitize surfaces, reset…
Clear tables
+Clear tables promptly after customers leave: remove dishes and trash, wipe and sanitize surfaces, reset condiments and menus, and report any broken equipment or stubborn stains before the next seating.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Windowsjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Ensure food safety and sanitation standards are met
+Check food prep surfaces, record fridge and hot-holding temperatures on the log, discard any items past their…
Ensure food safety and sanitation standards are met
+Check food prep surfaces, record fridge and hot-holding temperatures on the log, discard any items past their safe holding time, run sanitizer on counters, and report any equipment faults to Maria by noon so lunch service stays compliant.
The tools that do the workMenu and nutrition databaseWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Assist in opening and closing duties of the restaurant
+Complete opening checklist: unlock and inspect kitchen, switch on steam table and refrigeration, stock…
Assist in opening and closing duties of the restaurant
+Complete opening checklist: unlock and inspect kitchen, switch on steam table and refrigeration, stock service counter with labeled condiments and disposables, pre-count register float, and note shortages for the manager before the first prep rush.
The tools that do the workAldelo Systems Aldelo for Restaurants ProWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Process payments
+Process each customer payment, ring items under the correct menu codes, verify cardholder signature or PIN,…
Process payments
+Process each customer payment, ring items under the correct menu codes, verify cardholder signature or PIN, issue a receipt, log cash drops into the till drawer and flag any mismatches to Jorge at shift end.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Use reheating techniques
+Reheat chilled items to the safe internal temperature using the blast oven or steam table, check with a probe…
Use reheating techniques
+Reheat chilled items to the safe internal temperature using the blast oven or steam table, check with a probe thermometer, label reheated items with time and initials, and move immediately to hot-holding to avoid temperature danger zones.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Upsell products
+Offer the protein upgrade and combo for every order by naming them clearly, suggest the daily special with a…
Upsell products
+Offer the protein upgrade and combo for every order by naming them clearly, suggest the daily special with a quick benefit line, record customer responses to see which pitches sell best during the lunchtime rush.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Comply with food safety and hygiene
+Follow personal hygiene rules: wash hands between tasks, change gloves after handling raw food, clean spills…
Comply with food safety and hygiene
+Follow personal hygiene rules: wash hands between tasks, change gloves after handling raw food, clean spills immediately, rotate stock by date, and write any violations in the safety log so the manager can correct before health inspection.
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Menu and nutrition
+Update the deli counter's menu and nutrition today: add the new sandwich, list ingredients and calories, mark…
Menu and nutrition
+Update the deli counter's menu and nutrition today: add the new sandwich, list ingredients and calories, mark items low on stock, and send the sheet to front-of-house so servers know what to sell this afternoon.
The tools that do the workMenu and nutrition databaseO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
The rest of the map
Same library, five ways in.
Copyright © LLOS.ai · 2026 — original pedagogy, voice, and design — all rights reserved.
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses