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Bus Person
Ever wondered who’s responsible for that magically clean table that appears just as you’re being seated at a busy restaurant? Meet the unsung hero of the dining room: the bus person.
What is a bus person?
A bus person (sometimes called a busser, table busser, or dining room attendant) is a staff member responsible for clearing, cleaning, and resetting tables in a restaurant. While this might sound straightforward, bussers are actually critical team members who keep the entire dining service flowing smoothly.
Think of bussers as the restaurant’s pit crew – they swoop in quickly between “races” (meals) to ensure everything is perfect for the next round.
What does a bus person actually do?
The bus person’s responsibilities typically include:
- Clearing tables of dishes, glassware, and trash after guests leave
- Wiping down and sanitizing tables and chairs
- Resetting tables with clean linens, utensils, and place settings
- Refilling water glasses and bread baskets during service
- Assisting servers by running food when needed
- Maintaining cleanliness in the dining area throughout service
- Communicating table status to hosts and management
Why are bus people so important?
In a busy restaurant, efficient bussing directly impacts:
- Table turnover rate: How quickly you can seat new guests in available tables
- Guest satisfaction: No one wants to wait while a table sits dirty
- Server efficiency: Allowing servers to focus on taking orders and providing attentive service
- Restaurant image: Clean dining areas create positive impressions
A day in the life of a bus person
Imagine it’s Saturday night at a popular steakhouse. The bus person arrives before opening to help set all tables with proper place settings. During service, they constantly scan the dining room for:
- Tables where guests have finished and left
- Tables needing water refills
- Napkins that have fallen on the floor Empty bread baskets
- Servers who look overwhelmed and might need backup
When a four-top finishes dinner, the bus person springs into action: clearing plates, removing crumbs, wiping surfaces, and resetting the table, all within minutes. On a busy night, they might repeat this process 40+ times!
Though often overlooked by diners, experienced restaurant managers know that skilled bus people are essential to a smooth-running operation and are often the difference between a good night and a chaotic one.
