ML Betancourt I’ve been in the business here in miami for a very long time and I recently had the opportunity to work at a newly open restaurant with a pricey menu. I’ve worked fine dinning for about 2 years now and it’s been a month of me working at this place and I’m already crushing my peers in sales. The Chef and management already know I’m more than capable to move any product they want to push. I agree 100% confidence and knowledge are a key to great sales.
That was perfect. I love how this really benefits the servers that execute genuine hospitality but are having trouble learning better ways to present items.
As coda angel comment says: "If you do not focus on the tip you will make money!" Always focus on doing your job, serving and recommend a different starters/main course/wine/desert when you identify the costumer's doubt, talking gently and always a warm welcome to them, and the tip will probably will come to you. That is the basic things that i know about tips.
I just want to thank you for making these videos. These are awesome, and I've never had this advice when it comes to selling stuff. Please continue making these!
You should, or better your restaurant should become members of my website where I teach, month by month, lessons just like this. I've been making huge money waiting tables because I know the right things to say and do. I can teach you too!
Good advice. I am in the restaurant business also. what i dislike is guest/patrons/customers who think its show-off time. show-off, my own made up term, meaning its time to be a real rude person just because youre paying for a service. I dont know where and how this idea started but its getting old. Servers are still human, so are cooks. there will be errors, in restaurant and any other business, from walmart to auto repair shops to ice cream stands to cell phone stores to shoe laces to movies to carpet cleaners...etc etc....but seriously, its just food and they are trying their best, like any other job. there is no reason to pull out Mr or Mrs Grumpy just because its a restaurant. something or someone makes an error, let them try to fix it...geez, just chill and TRY to be happy. some people get so worked up because they didnt get napkins, and they have a mental score sheet for how much the tip is going to be...really? why do people get so worked up over food? yea i get it, your the paying customer but there is still no reason to be an absolute cunt about it. lifes too short, its just food......(im not a server btw)
So true. These days feels like it is a Court hearing and the Customers are the judges while the staff are treated like they have committed a crime. They're so rude, I'm shocked. I don't see this kind of behaviour in a shop.
Great tips, I'm currently a culinary leader at the restaurant I work at I'm 19 dropped out of college to take some time off figure things out, I'm going to start to prep food in mornings and other mornings serve food. Waiters are like sells men. I agree these are great tips especially for myself I want to get my foot in the management door and have my own restaurant one day
I love and always enjoy ur videos. It’s definitely useful for me and anyone who gonna work in Hospitality industry. Keep it up! Looking for ur next video day by day🙂
Some things and tips in this video are nicely said, but from my point of view no guest is interested in what a server likes or doesn't and at this point many servers lost their sails because of that! What I prefer to use is what our chef is recommending and what he as a chef prefers. 1st Chef is the one that cooks not the server, so he has the skills and knowledge, 2nd Chefs usually have their palates much more developed that the servers, thats why they are the chefs, and you have 90% chance to have a complete sale of the items that are recommended by the chef. When it comes to the WINE LIST ICEBREAKER, as well from my own experience people will continue the conversations, thats why a pleasant introduction from the waiter is a much better ICEBREAKER then just dropping the wine list. With the rest I agree. Thanks for the video and good luck in future!
I feel like this is common sense, you ask them if they are a first time customer and if they need a little more time to decide on what theyd like to order..if the customer asks what you recommend... you say the 2nd most expensive meal/course, 2nd most expensive wine and 2nd most expensive dessert.
Great Videos! Unfortunately, I work for Outback Steak House. My company, openly and legally steals 12% to 17% of our nightly tips (tip share) to pay the wages of other workers. They also pay us a slave wage which the NRA has not raised since 1991 through heavy duty lobbying to Congress. So the discouragement level to use these great tips are rather high at my place. Thanks though!!!
Thank you for your video which explain so many thinks about service as well as up sell, Just wanna ask a question how to describe any dish in a simple way so the guest can satisfied when the food comes at the table?
This isn't upselling, it's just plain selling. Being a server is one the hardest jobs around. You are expexted by management to sell well, you aren't paid well and the guest wants to be left along usually. It's part of the job to sell. Sales 101: Go and Get Your Feelings Hurt. Worst thing a guest is going to do is say no, so just ask.
Sorry WAY too pretentious....I'm all for upselling in a discreet, not by pointing out the most expensive items on the menu...and I'm not going to waste my time on the wine when they are having cocktails or beer.
Absolutely not. You must know your product through snd through. The idea is to use the tools at hand to lead the guest in their decision making process.
Ivan Diablo Trust me when you're a waiter you don't need so long before you've tried the whole menu ; ) If you don't find a way to try things, know them all, and sell them, maybe....this job is not for you.
Ivan Diablo That's not what hes saying... Im sure he can speak for himself but I think you honestly wish to understand so I will give you my advice. Try things on the menu and pick a few that you like the most. That way, when you do suggest items to guests, you are not lying at all, you are telling them what is delicious to you. Guests often don't know what they want to eat. Your job is to assist them in purchasing the right product for them. They trust your judgement, and if you say the haddock is good then they will believe you. Whether or not they like haddock has nothing to do with it, because the haddock is still good to you. If they say no thanks, suggest something opposite such as a sandwich, or a soup. If they say no to the sandwich then you, can now move to chicken, or a salad. The guests will let you guide them to the product that is best for them. I personally do not think in terms of money, selling them the most expensive item, I try to sell them the item that is best suited for them. If they happen to choose the most expensive item, then so be it. They would have never chosen or even known about that expensive item had I not mentioned it to them. Either way you will be tipped gratuitously based off of your service, not because you sold them the most expensive item.
So doing your job is an icebreaker? Servers who drop off menus w/o saying much are idiots that aren't doing their jobs actually. An icebreaker is an occurrence that breaks awkwardness which is especially high during introduction.
I would assume you are much more comfortable speaking with your guests and probably already recognize the opportunity you have. However, there are a huge number of servers who find it very difficult to speak to a table beyond " doing their jobs". They certainly aren't idiots but no one has taken the time to teach them how to wait tables. It's a craft that can be capitalized on like any other sales position. It doesn't happen automatically though.
So tonight we have veal piccata ok what's piccata? Um let me go check clueless servers big problem we also have an orange roughy with a Rice pilaf and grilled asparagus what's pilaf it's rice with stuff in it what kind of stuff not sure let me go check we also have a steak Diane what's Diane it's the sauce how is it made ? again not sure believe me I've worked at a lot of fine dining in the last 30 years and these were some of the questions I wold get from the front of the house
I know about it because I've got a menu. I will buy it because I've read my menu. If I need something other than that which is on the menu I will ask. I will tip less if I'm badgered by a pushy waiter looking for sales instead of serving properly.
Try this on the Big Island of Hawaii and you’ll lose sales. Know your demographic. I’ve worked on the mainland in large cities and this is still corny as hell. I couldn’t work for this guy.
Some waiters do 'stand up' . I just learned my sauces, prep techniques and the wine list. When new menus came out I reviewed every word. I left 'ice breaking' to the customer, if they wanted to be personable. 'Techniques' are disingenuous and lead to oily waiters! IMO Pushy waiters are not requested waiters. You don't 'pad the check', you enhance the dining experience by suggesting, with knowledge, the appetizer, soup, salad, entre', dessert, coffee, after dinner drink.
So guy made a video that teaches how to get bigger tips from customers by tricking them into thinking the server has something in common with the customer. I would prefer the server simply serve and not try to be part of my conversation at all. How about I just pay you for bringing me food and drink and you try that salesmanship on someone else? You can't expect a tip because if it's expected it's not a tip at all but payment. I pay for service. I don't pay for conversation, flattery, flirting, and constantly hanging over my shoulder isn't helpful it's annoying.
There are no tricks, gimmicks or smoke and mirrors. The same as any other sales job the server is a salesman as well. Their ability to sell their product more efficiently and with greater grosses helps them to feed their family, pay their rent and maybe go to school so they may better their lives and actually sit down and eat in restaurants as you do. Do not disparage or belittle a very hard worker for what they do to try and earn a living. If you want a server simply to serve stay home and hire a butler.
If you want a nice tip from me then earn it by actually serving me. If you're too concerned with trying to hustle me I'm going to see right through you. I tip well for good service. I don't usually tip at all if someone can't bring me food and drink. Just like in any other service industry if you don't provide a service you don't get paid. I'm not giving out my money to put someone through school or support their family but if you earn it I'll pay you.
Jarrod Novak "if you want a server simply to serve stay home and hire a butler". Lmao on that one buddy. The only thing I require a server to do is serve and I pay them for it. No need to butt into my conversation or flirt with me. You don't even need to entertain me.
I agree with that completely but we aren't talking about joining your party, we are talking about selling the menu. Good service is of course expected but hospitality and a sense of urgency are crucial in any sales job. These aren't exclusive to waiters.
Instead of trying to engage me and selling your menu you need to give me what I tell you. You have no clue what customers want. You need to be a customer and be waited on by someone just like you.
lalltd: Hey I miss gas pumpers...especially in winter. Everyone has a sales pitch: the person whos clothes you buy, politicians, television producers, grocers, your friends, etc. It’s not a bad thing. I would rather have a real person than automation or a robot. I would cease to go to a restaurant if they got rid of servers.
I don't go to restaurants to make friends with any of the staff. I don't want to have a conversation with you or have you butt into the one I'm having with my actually friends. I know you are just trying to get a bigger tip. I do tip. I'm quite sure my honesty has offended servers everywhere but let me ask you this. Did you come to my table to socialize or to make money? If you came to socialize you came to the wrong table but if you came to make money you came to the right place. Just get my order right and be available. So you the think I'm rude. I'll cry in bed later. I'm tired of young incompotent flirty girls that think I'll melt if they smile at me and that I'll still tip them for bad service.
You only make recommendations because you're trying to sell it. I don't need the pitch. If I want to hear your reccomendation I'll ask for it. I don't want you to be a part of my conversation unless I invite you . Also I can read the menu on my own. Here's what I want from my server. Listen to me, be available, bring me food and drink, and don't try so hard to entertain me or put me in a happy party mood. Maybe I just want to hang with my wife or decompress. I'm not depressed I'm just exhausted.
Learn the products. Be Confident. Repeat the order back. BIG TIP>
ML Betancourt I’ve been in the business here in miami for a very long time and I recently had the opportunity to work at a newly open restaurant with a pricey menu. I’ve worked fine dinning for about 2 years now and it’s been a month of me working at this place and I’m already crushing my peers in sales. The Chef and management already know I’m more than capable to move any product they want to push. I agree 100% confidence and knowledge are a key to great sales.
So true that you have to be the boss of your tables. Don't let them be the boss! You are the server and have to be in control.
If you do not focus on the tip you will make money!
exactly 💁
That was perfect. I love how this really benefits the servers that execute genuine hospitality but are having trouble learning better ways to present items.
As coda angel comment says: "If you do not focus on the tip you will make money!" Always focus on doing your job, serving and recommend a different starters/main course/wine/desert when you identify the costumer's doubt, talking gently and always a warm welcome to them, and the tip will probably will come to you. That is the basic things that i know about tips.
I just want to thank you for making these videos. These are awesome, and I've never had this advice when it comes to selling stuff. Please continue making these!
You should, or better your restaurant should become members of my website where I teach, month by month, lessons just like this. I've been making huge money waiting tables because I know the right things to say and do. I can teach you too!
Good advice.
I am in the restaurant business also. what i dislike is guest/patrons/customers who think its show-off time. show-off, my own made up term, meaning its time to be a real rude person just because youre paying for a service. I dont know where and how this idea started but its getting old. Servers are still human, so are cooks. there will be errors, in restaurant and any other business, from walmart to auto repair shops to ice cream stands to cell phone stores to shoe laces to movies to carpet cleaners...etc etc....but seriously, its just food and they are trying their best, like any other job. there is no reason to pull out Mr or Mrs Grumpy just because its a restaurant. something or someone makes an error, let them try to fix it...geez, just chill and TRY to be happy. some people get so worked up because they didnt get napkins, and they have a mental score sheet for how much the tip is going to be...really? why do people get so worked up over food? yea i get it, your the paying customer but there is still no reason to be an absolute cunt about it. lifes too short, its just food......(im not a server btw)
Your comments reflect the American point of view, which is why I don't visit restaurants in the USA. Give me Australia any day.
So true. These days feels like it is a Court hearing and the Customers are the judges while the staff are treated like they have committed a crime. They're so rude, I'm shocked. I don't see this kind of behaviour in a shop.
Great tips, I'm currently a culinary leader at the restaurant I work at I'm 19 dropped out of college to take some time off figure things out, I'm going to start to prep food in mornings and other mornings serve food. Waiters are like sells men. I agree these are great tips especially for myself I want to get my foot in the management door and have my own restaurant one day
How are things going for you now
@@EmanuelGene wow! 5 years ago. They’re going well Emanuel. I am a kitchen manager for that same restaurant I worked at 5 years ago. Time flies.
@TheHerreraEra
i have a sales career as a salesman from softdrinks to selling telco sims but selling food is more of an art
Thank you. These kind of videos are really beneficial. Please continue making useful videos like this.
I love and always enjoy ur videos. It’s definitely useful for me and anyone who gonna work in Hospitality industry. Keep it up! Looking for ur next video day by day🙂
good stuff thanks, I feel this is most appropriate with new customers who don't really know what they want or what to expect.
Some things and tips in this video are nicely said, but from my point of view no guest is interested in what a server likes or doesn't and at this point many servers lost their sails because of that! What I prefer to use is what our chef is recommending and what he as a chef prefers.
1st Chef is the one that cooks not the server, so he has the skills and knowledge,
2nd Chefs usually have their palates much more developed that the servers, thats why they are the chefs, and you have 90% chance to have a complete sale of the items that are recommended by the chef.
When it comes to the WINE LIST ICEBREAKER, as well from my own experience people will continue the conversations, thats why a pleasant introduction from the waiter is a much better ICEBREAKER then just dropping the wine list. With the rest I agree. Thanks for the video and good luck in future!
Big thanks for this video.
A very useful advise. Thanks for the vid.
I feel like this is common sense, you ask them if they are a first time customer and if they need a little more time to decide on what theyd like to order..if the customer asks what you recommend... you say the 2nd most expensive meal/course, 2nd most expensive wine and 2nd most expensive dessert.
Thank You!! I Really Appreciate Your Guidance And Advice
This was so helpful. Thank you for sharing.
I like your advices, thank you very much ,
va multumesc frumos sunteti un profesionist adevarat
Thank you! Excellent advice!
Great Videos! Unfortunately, I work for Outback Steak House. My company, openly and legally steals 12% to 17% of our nightly tips (tip share) to pay the wages of other workers. They also pay us a slave wage which the NRA has not raised since 1991 through heavy duty lobbying to Congress. So the discouragement level to use these great tips are rather high at my place. Thanks though!!!
You might want to read this:
www.behrenlaw.com/blog/2011/09/08/outback-steakhouse-settles-claims-for-unlawful-tip-pooling/
Very interesting Joshua! Thanks!!
Thanks for sharing! what a great tip! 😉
Thank you for your video which explain so many thinks about service as well as up sell, Just wanna ask a question how to describe any dish in a simple way so the guest can satisfied when the food comes at the table?
This isn't upselling, it's just plain selling. Being a server is one the hardest jobs around. You are expexted by management to sell well, you aren't paid well and the guest wants to be left along usually. It's part of the job to sell. Sales 101: Go and Get Your Feelings Hurt. Worst thing a guest is going to do is say no, so just ask.
thank you these kind this video
It's true but it annoys us when ppl talk to us about sales to much. We aren't stupid lol
Realy its an good advise for our bhm job career
Great tips, thanks !
if I'm at a new restaurant, I like hearing what servers like bc I don't know what's good
glass is smudged on the left. that's all I see here.
Jordan Kearfott eye for detail😉🖒
You are so right. I noticed that as well.
Now here's the thing...
Sorry WAY too pretentious....I'm all for upselling in a discreet, not by pointing out the most expensive items on the menu...and I'm not going to waste my time on the wine when they are having cocktails or beer.
so convince the customers they should buy what the server does not know about ?
Absolutely not. You must know your product through snd through. The idea is to use the tools at hand to lead the guest in their decision making process.
Front Of House Structure did the waiter even try the steak as talked about ?
Ivan Diablo Trust me when you're a waiter you don't need so long before you've tried the whole menu ; ) If you don't find a way to try things, know them all, and sell them, maybe....this job is not for you.
Central House if u do not offer honest advice why do i tip u ?
Ivan Diablo That's not what hes saying... Im sure he can speak for himself but I think you honestly wish to understand so I will give you my advice. Try things on the menu and pick a few that you like the most. That way, when you do suggest items to guests, you are not lying at all, you are telling them what is delicious to you. Guests often don't know what they want to eat. Your job is to assist them in purchasing the right product for them. They trust your judgement, and if you say the haddock is good then they will believe you. Whether or not they like haddock has nothing to do with it, because the haddock is still good to you. If they say no thanks, suggest something opposite such as a sandwich, or a soup. If they say no to the sandwich then you, can now move to chicken, or a salad. The guests will let you guide them to the product that is best for them. I personally do not think in terms of money, selling them the most expensive item, I try to sell them the item that is best suited for them. If they happen to choose the most expensive item, then so be it. They would have never chosen or even known about that expensive item had I not mentioned it to them. Either way you will be tipped gratuitously based off of your service, not because you sold them the most expensive item.
love it!
i like set up in restaurant
When a waiter walks up to my table ... first thing I do as a guest ... Tell them there zipper is down .😐 watch the look on there face ☺
I certainly loath being interrupted at my table especially if it is a business meal.
I agree. Immediately call the manager and tell them to switch the waiter and only come when I allow it.
The glassware is dirty. Not on.
Seems a little too "corporate" for my taste in employers. But there are definitely bits to take away from this.
So doing your job is an icebreaker? Servers who drop off menus w/o saying much are idiots that aren't doing their jobs actually.
An icebreaker is an occurrence that breaks awkwardness which is especially high during introduction.
I would assume you are much more comfortable speaking with your guests and probably already recognize the opportunity you have. However, there are a huge number of servers who find it very difficult to speak to a table beyond " doing their jobs". They certainly aren't idiots but no one has taken the time to teach them how to wait tables. It's a craft that can be capitalized on like any other sales position. It doesn't happen automatically though.
...is this job tiring and involve good memory and concentration?
back of house work i meant
So tonight we have veal piccata ok what's piccata? Um let me go check clueless servers big problem we also have an orange roughy with a Rice pilaf and grilled asparagus what's pilaf it's rice with stuff in it what kind of stuff not sure let me go check we also have a steak Diane what's Diane it's the sauce how is it made ? again not sure believe me I've worked at a lot of fine dining in the last 30 years and these were some of the questions I wold get from the front of the house
You lost me at foie gras :(
Matthew Davis it’s delicious.
I know about it because I've got a menu. I will buy it because I've read my menu. If I need something other than that which is on the menu I will ask. I will tip less if I'm badgered by a pushy waiter looking for sales instead of serving properly.
OMG
I Hate those who pushy servers
they can feel mooddddddd
.......... ehhhhh
Try this on the Big Island of Hawaii and you’ll lose sales. Know your demographic. I’ve worked on the mainland in large cities and this is still corny as hell. I couldn’t work for this guy.
Some waiters do 'stand up' . I just learned my sauces, prep techniques and the wine list. When new menus came out I reviewed every word. I left 'ice breaking' to the customer, if they wanted to be personable.
'Techniques' are disingenuous and lead to oily waiters! IMO
Pushy waiters are not requested waiters.
You don't 'pad the check', you enhance the dining experience by suggesting, with knowledge, the appetizer, soup, salad, entre', dessert, coffee, after dinner drink.
So guy made a video that teaches how to get bigger tips from customers by tricking them into thinking the server has something in common with the customer. I would prefer the server simply serve and not try to be part of my conversation at all. How about I just pay you for bringing me food and drink and you try that salesmanship on someone else? You can't expect a tip because if it's expected it's not a tip at all but payment. I pay for service. I don't pay for conversation, flattery, flirting, and constantly hanging over my shoulder isn't helpful it's annoying.
There are no tricks, gimmicks or smoke and mirrors. The same as any other sales job the server is a salesman as well. Their ability to sell their product more efficiently and with greater grosses helps them to feed their family, pay their rent and maybe go to school so they may better their lives and actually sit down and eat in restaurants as you do. Do not disparage or belittle a very hard worker for what they do to try and earn a living. If you want a server simply to serve stay home and hire a butler.
If you want a nice tip from me then earn it by actually serving me. If you're too concerned with trying to hustle me I'm going to see right through you. I tip well for good service. I don't usually tip at all if someone can't bring me food and drink. Just like in any other service industry if you don't provide a service you don't get paid. I'm not giving out my money to put someone through school or support their family but if you earn it I'll pay you.
Jarrod Novak "if you want a server simply to serve stay home and hire a butler". Lmao on that one buddy. The only thing I require a server to do is serve and I pay them for it. No need to butt into my conversation or flirt with me. You don't even need to entertain me.
I agree with that completely but we aren't talking about joining your party, we are talking about selling the menu. Good service is of course expected but hospitality and a sense of urgency are crucial in any sales job. These aren't exclusive to waiters.
Instead of trying to engage me and selling your menu you need to give me what I tell you. You have no clue what customers want. You need to be a customer and be waited on by someone just like you.
Treating customers like animals to be trained. That's why waiters will inevitably go the way of gas pumpers.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Yeah, no.
R A: what kind of restaurant do you work at? Are you just a server or bartender too?
lalltd: Hey I miss gas pumpers...especially in winter. Everyone has a sales pitch: the person whos clothes you buy, politicians, television producers, grocers, your friends, etc. It’s not a bad thing. I would rather have a real person than automation or a robot. I would cease to go to a restaurant if they got rid of servers.
I don't go to restaurants to make friends with any of the staff. I don't want to have a conversation with you or have you butt into the one I'm having with my actually friends. I know you are just trying to get a bigger tip. I do tip. I'm quite sure my honesty has offended servers everywhere but let me ask you this. Did you come to my table to socialize or to make money? If you came to socialize you came to the wrong table but if you came to make money you came to the right place. Just get my order right and be available. So you the think I'm rude. I'll cry in bed later. I'm tired of young incompotent flirty girls that think I'll melt if they smile at me and that I'll still tip them for bad service.
You only make recommendations because you're trying to sell it. I don't need the pitch. If I want to hear your reccomendation I'll ask for it. I don't want you to be a part of my conversation unless I invite you . Also I can read the menu on my own. Here's what I want from my server. Listen to me, be available, bring me food and drink, and don't try so hard to entertain me or put me in a happy party mood. Maybe I just want to hang with my wife or decompress. I'm not depressed I'm just exhausted.
Jesse Jinkins: thanks for the honesty.
Big thanks for this video.