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Table of contents

Fast food resume examples
Fast food resume template to copy and use
How to format a fast food resume
How to write a fast food resume in 5 simple steps
Do you need a cover letter?
Key takeaways for your fast food resume
Commonly asked question about resume writing

Putting together a resume as a fast-food worker is all about dishing out your experiences and skills in a way that’s as intriguing as a hidden menu item.

It’s your chance to lay out the ingredients that make you a top applicant and highlight the unique flavors you bring to the fast-food industry.

If the thought of writing a resume makes your skin crawl, don’t worry. We have a guide for people just like you. Whether you’re stepping into the industry for the first time or looking to leverage your fast-food experience into bigger and better things, we’ve got you covered.

Our guide includes:

The perfect fast food resume example.
A step-by-step guide to make your resume stand out.
Design and formatting advice that will make you look good.
Advice on making a cover letter that pairs well with your resume.
Key takeaways to help you on your journey.

Ready to hammer out your resume? Our AI Resume Builder is here to assist. It’s user-friendly and comes equipped with templates designed for jobs in any industry. With this tool, you can make sure your resume and application solidly stand out.

Fast food resume examples

Resume example for a fast food worker

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Here’s why this resume works:

Includes a mix of skills
The applicant mentions a range of important skills, from customer service abilities to routine maintenance to preparing fresh food.
Formatting is consistent
For recruiters, the biggest turn-off is a messy resume. This applicant shows they mean business by consistently using bullet points, margins, text spacing and color.
Focuses on achievements
While it may be tempting to list job duties, what truly impresses employers are achievements. The resume here shows how day-to-day tasks translate into impact.

Browse other popular samples

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Fast food resume template to copy and use

Feel free to copy and paste the text below as a starting point for creating your own fast food resume.

Patrick Bailey
Cordova, TN 38016
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com

Professional Summary

Customer-focused fast-food worker accurate in handling orders and payments. Knowledgeable about fast food operations, menu options and food safety. Consistently delivers above-average service to guests.

Skills

Fast food preparation and assembly
Facilities and restaurant maintenance
OSHA, HACCP and workplace safety
Cash handling
Customer service
Inventory management

Experience

Fast Food Worker
Quick Bites – Cordova, TN
June 2019 – Current

Process and fill customer food orders and prepare specialty dishes quickly and accurately.
Operate cash register and credit card machine to process customer payments with 100% accuracy.
Answer customer questions about food ingredients, freshness and availability.

Fast Food Worker
Rapid Grill – Barlett, TN
June 2017 – May 2019

Operated high-volume cooking and assembly equipment.
Helped to order and stock received food supplies and equipment.
Assisted with cashier and cleaning operations.

Fast Food Cashier
Speedy’s Burgers – Lenow, TN
February 2016 – June 2017

Resolved customer complaints independently or with aid of supervisor.
Assisted counter staff in packing ready orders and distributing to customers.
Greeted over 50 customers per day and communicated effectively to obtain accurate orders.

Education

Cordova High School Cordova, TN
High School Diploma

Certifications

ServSafe Food Handler Certification

How to format a fast food resume

Let’s kick things off with formatting.

Picking the right format for your resume is as vital as keeping the food fresh and the floor clean in fast-food service. Here are the three main resume formats simplified (and why you might choose each one):

Chronological resume: Ideal if you’ve moved up in fast-food roles, from crew member to shift manager, for example. It’s like arranging your work history on a menu, showing your growth in the fast-food industry. Choose this if you’ve got a consistent work history with increasing responsibilities.
Functional resume: This format suits those new to fast food or with gaps in their work history. It emphasizes your skills — like speedy service or maintaining cleanliness — instead of a timeline of jobs. If your strengths are in efficiency and customer service, this layout helps those skills shine.
Combination resume: Great for those with hands-on experience and strong skills in fast food, such as managing busy shifts and training new staff. It allows you to showcase both the roles you’ve excelled in and the skills you’ve developed, like keeping operations running smoothly during peak hours.

Keep in mind — your fast food resume is more than a job history. It shows your commitment to quality service and teamwork. Next, let’s focus on picking the right resume design.

Picking an appropriate resume design

Create your resume

It’s time to talk about resume templates. The perfect design will make sure your key achievements, like handling a busy lunch rush or improving service speed, stand out.

For a fast food or restaurant role, feel free to choose any type of template you like, from simple and modern to bold and creative.

With the ideal template locked down, you’re setting yourself up for success.

How to write a fast food resume in 5 simple steps

Creating a resume for a fast-food position becomes smoother when you break it down into steps. Here’s a clear guide to make your resume stand out.

Step 1

Analyze the fast food job description

Your resume should reflect exactly what fast-food employers are searching for. Rather than focusing on general skills, concentrate on specific abilities and experiences valued in the fast-food industry, such as quick service, maintaining cleanliness and customer satisfaction.

The key is in the job posting. Carefully read through it to identify the skills highlighted, whether it’s efficiency in a fast-paced environment, expertise in food safety standards or experience in team management.

These skills are your keywords. Think of them as the recipe ingredients for your resume. Add these keywords throughout your resume to show you understand the role and to ensure your resume passes through any applicant tracking systems (ATS) used to filter candidates.

Now, if you’re a current or former fast-food worker who is trying to figure out how to describe your work experience on your resume, you can also find this info listed in job descriptions! Here’s an example of what one might look like.

Fast food worker job description:

Provide fast, friendly service to customers.
Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in all areas.
Prepare and serve food according to safety standards.
Work effectively as part of a team to meet service goals.
Manage cash register and transactions with accuracy.

Simply mention you have exactly what they’re describing, and you’ll be well on your way to getting an interview.

Step 2

Start with a career summary

Kick off your resume with a punchy introduction. Depending on your background, this can be a professional summary or an objective statement.

If you’ve worked in fast food before, use a professional summary to spotlight your experience and skills, showing why you’re a great fit for the role.

For those new to fast food or coming from a different job, an objective statement can help you share your goals and how they align with what the fast-food job requires.

Here’s how you might write these:

Professional summary example:

Experienced fast-food worker skilled in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, delivering fast and friendly service and managing kitchen duties efficiently. Proven track record of enhancing customer satisfaction and streamlining operations for peak service times. Excited to bring my dedication and proven skills to [Fast Food Company Name], contributing to continued excellence and customer loyalty.

Resume objective example:

Motivated individual seeking to dive into the fast-food industry with [Fast Food Company Name]. With a background in customer service and a passion for fast-paced work environments, I’m eager to develop my skills in food preparation and team coordination. Committed to delivering top-notch service and contributing to the team’s success.

Step 3

Highlight your fast food skills

Selecting the right skills for your resume is like perfectly placing the toppings on a burger.

In the fast-food sector, a combination of hard skills (such as operating the fryers) and soft skills (such as effective teamwork) is crucial. Quick reflexes, maintaining a clean work area and providing superior customer service are all key.

If you’re using your fast-food experience to get a job in a different industry, emphasize your transferable skills, including teamwork, efficient time management and, most importantly, precise communication skills. These skills ensure you can meet the fast-paced demands of the fast-food industry while maintaining high standards of service.

Example of a balanced skill set for a fast-food worker:

Hard Skills

Food prep.
Keeping areas clean.
Kitchen equipment.
Food safety standards.

Soft Skills

Communication skills.
Customer interaction.
Handling busy periods calmly and efficiently.
Resolving customer issues.

Skills section example for fast food:

Proven ability to maintain cleanliness.
Experience maintaining order accuracy.
Strong team player with effective communication.
Competent in multitasking.

Pro tip

Don’t forget about computer skills. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems and order management software can streamline operations, making you a valuable asset to any fast-food team.

Step 4

Create a work experience section

Your work experience is like the secret sauce of your fast food resume, especially if you’ve whipped up some impressive feats in the industry.

Since hiring managers often scan resumes quickly, it’s key to dish out your experience in bite-sized, easy-to-digest bullet points, starting with your most recent job and working backward.

Example of a work experience section for a fast food resume:

Fast Food Team Member, Burger Queen
Townsville, ST
March 2019 – May 2024

Served up to 200 customers daily, ensuring high-quality food and swift service, leading to a 20% increase in repeat customers.
Maintained a sparkling clean and organized work station, surpassing health inspection standards with a score of 95% or above.
Mastered the art of multitasking, efficiently balancing cash register operations with food prep during peak hours.
Innovated a customer feedback system, boosting customer satisfaction scores by 10%.
Trained 15 new staff members, fostering a team culture focused on speed and accuracy.

Pro tip

Kickstart each bullet with action verbs like “served,” “maintained” and “innovated” to highlight your energy and the tasty results of your efforts, making you stand out as an active and effective team member.

Step 5

Detail your education

In fast food, your education section is the base layer of your resume, supporting everything else you bring to the table.

Even if flipping burgers and crafting the perfect fries taught you the ropes, listing your education and any food-related certifications adds a sprinkle of professionalism and dedication to your craft.

How to present your education:

Education:

High School Diploma
Local High School, Townsville, ST
Graduation: June 2019

Certifications:

Food Handler’s Certification
Customer Service Excellence Training

Optional sections for your fast food resume

Awards and honors

Celebrating your achievements in the fast-food industry can set you apart as a standout employee. Honors and awards underline your dedication and hard work.

How to format your awards and honors:

Employee of the Month: Recognized for exceptional customer service and teamwork at [Fast Food Company], 2021.
Best Team Player Award: Awarded for outstanding cooperation and maintaining high morale among staff, [Fast Food Company], 2020.

Volunteer work

community, highlighting leadership qualities and a commitment to positive impact.

How to list your volunteer experience:

Food bank volunteer: Led a team to organize and distribute meals, showcasing leadership and dedication to community service, 2021-2022.
Community cleanup participant: Contributed to local environmental cleanup efforts, demonstrating community engagement and teamwork, [Local Charity], 2020.

Languages

Fluency in multiple languages shows your capability to communicate with a diverse customer base, enhancing customer relations and team collaboration.

How to present your language skills:

English: Native proficiency
Spanish: Advanced
Mandarin: Conversational

Do you need a cover letter?

Create your cover letter

I’ll be honest with you — it’s rare to submit a cover letter for a fast-food job. But hey, learning how to write a cover letter is never a bad thing.

If you want to give it a try, start by reviewing some cover letter examples. Take note of the formatting choices. You can also use a cover letter generator to generate fresh ideas tailored for a fast-food job.

Key takeaways for your fast food resume

Read the job description
Make sure your resume is seasoned with terms and phrases specific to the fast-food industry. For instance, if the job highlights quick service or food safety, emphasize your expertise in these areas.
Pick a format that’s right for you
Pick a resume format that best reflects your strengths. For new fast-food workers, a functional layout may be best to show off the skills you bring to the job.
Choose a design
Your resume should be as inviting as a well-organized menu. A clean, structured design ensures your skills and achievements are easily digestible.
Serve up a full skills menu
List both your technical skills, like operating kitchen equipment and adhering to health codes, and soft skills, such as customer service and teamwork, to showcase your full range.
Make your specialties clear
Detail standout achievements that show you’re a top performer, like increasing customer satisfaction scores or reducing service times.

Commonly asked question about resume writing

Was this information about Fast Food Resume: Skills, Examples & Job Description helpful? Let us know!

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.