Types of Food Service
- Waiter Service: Requires a waiter to take orders and serve food.
- Counter Service: Diners place, pay, and pick up orders at a counter.
- Buffet Service: Guests choose food from a buffet line.
- Gueridon Service: Food is prepared tableside.
- Tray Service: Portions are served on trays taken to diners’ rooms by waiters.
Understanding benefits and challenges of each type will help decide the right service style.
Food Service Operations
Food service operations include lounges, fast food, food courts, and family restaurants. Popular options are food trucks, delivery, catering, pop-ups, and corporate cafeterias. Layout, design, and service style impact operations. Three basic commercial types are independents, chains, and franchises.
Suppliers and Product Types
Suppliers provide small wares and foods to operators. Some companies produce consumer and foodservice versions of products with different packaging.