Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
Serve food to diners at counter or from a steam table.
How AI Impacts Each Task
17 tasks analyzed
Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.
Prepare bills for food, using cash registers, calculators, or adding machines, and accept payment or make change.
Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders.
Perform cleaning duties such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary.
Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.
Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars.
Cook food or prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, and ice cream dishes, using standard formulas or following directions.
Serve salads, vegetables, meat, breads, and cocktails, ladle soups and sauces, portion desserts, and fill beverage cups and glasses.
Brew coffee and tea, and fill containers with requested beverages.
Set up dining areas for meals and clear them following meals.
Carve meat.
Add relishes and garnishes to food orders, according to instructions.
Order items needed to replenish supplies.
Wrap menu item such as sandwiches, hot entrees, and desserts for serving or for takeout.
Deliver orders to kitchens, and pick up and serve food when it is ready.
Replenish foods at serving stations.
Arrange reservations for patrons of dining establishments.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 8% | |
| Prepare bills for food, using cash registers, calculators, or adding machines, and accept payment or make change. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 12% | |
| Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 12% | |
| Perform cleaning duties such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 8% | |
| Balance receipts and payments in cash registers. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 3% | |
| Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 10% | |
| Cook food or prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, and ice cream dishes, using standard formulas or following directions. | 65.48Observed | 59.2% | 10% | |
| Serve salads, vegetables, meat, breads, and cocktails, ladle soups and sauces, portion desserts, and fill beverage cups and glasses. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Brew coffee and tea, and fill containers with requested beverages. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 6% | |
| Set up dining areas for meals and clear them following meals. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Carve meat. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 2% | |
| Add relishes and garnishes to food orders, according to instructions. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Order items needed to replenish supplies. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Wrap menu item such as sandwiches, hot entrees, and desserts for serving or for takeout. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Deliver orders to kitchens, and pick up and serve food when it is ready. | 55Estimated | 55.0% | 3% | |
| Replenish foods at serving stations. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Arrange reservations for patrons of dining establishments. | 59.2Observed | 72.9% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
Taco Bell tests AI-arranged digital menu boards to drive fast-food growth
Yum Brands is deploying AI to dynamically arrange digital menu boards at Taco Bell locations. The fast-food giant is using automation to optimize customer ordering and streamline restaurant operations.
Fast Food Chains Deploy ChatGPT Apps, Shifting Customer Service Dynamics
Major restaurant brands are building custom AI experiences directly into their customer-facing platforms. This aggressive push into automated engagement signals a long-term reduction in reliance on human customer service and order-taking staff.
Starbucks' ChatGPT Ordering Fail Proves Barista Jobs Are Safe For Now
Early tests of Starbucks' new ChatGPT-powered ordering system resulted in botched custom drink requests and frustrating user experiences. The AI's inability to handle basic modifications highlights the enduring need for human workers.
Samsung and McDonald's Test Humanoid Robots in Retail
Samsung launched a test store to show off AI powered in store technology. In China, McDonalds has put humanoid robots in restaurants.
AI Surveillance Tech Now Monitoring Fast Food Drive-Thru Workers
Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken is beta-testing AI systems to monitor employee and customer interactions at pickup windows. This expands fast-food automation from order-taking to direct surveillance of human worker performance.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis