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
Dave’s Hot Chicken diners don’t want to talk to robots — so here’s how it’s innovating
The fast-casual chain is pivoting its tech strategy after discovering customers reject automated voice ordering. Instead of replacing cashiers, the company is investing in kitchen display systems and point-of-sale upgrades to support existing staff.
Starbucks ditches AI inventory system after just 9 months
The coffee giant is pulling the plug on its computer vision inventory counting system, forcing store employees to revert to previous methods. The rapid reversal highlights the real-world friction of deploying automation in busy retail environments.
How Shake Shack's Digital Push Impacts Frontline Hospitality Jobs
The fast-casual chain is navigating the tension between implementing automated ordering systems and maintaining human-centric service. Leadership's approach highlights how retail brands are restructuring frontline roles rather than eliminating them entirely.
Fast-food automation expands beyond drive-thru AI chatbots
McDonald's 2021 push into automated ordering signals a broader industry shift toward replacing frontline service workers with AI. The technology is rapidly moving past experimental phases to threaten entry-level hospitality roles.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis