4 Types of Restaurant Services Found Within the Restaurant Industry

Restaurant services are the services provided by a restaurant to its customers. Most people know that a restaurant will provide food and drinks to their customers, but what else? Simply put, restaurant services include the advice, assistance, and attention that waitstaff provide to patrons. Good restaurant services incorporate effective communication and attentiveness to optimize customer satisfaction and increase brand loyalty.

Restaurant services also include the way the restaurant markets itself and offers these services. For example, McDonald's is a fast-food chain, whereas Morton's Steakhouse is a fine-dining establishment. Ambiance, style of food, the method of delivery, and the method of payment will all determine the type of restaurant services.
When customers feel appreciated and respected, they remember those dining rewards. They are also more likely to spread the word about their fabulous time dining in. This means more sales and a better reputation in the local community. All restaurants offer services, but how do yours stand out? That's the question restaurant managers need to ask themselves when opening a new business.

What are the different styles of restaurant services? You may have heard of fast-food restaurants, cafeterias, and buffets. But what about other styles of restaurant services?

Each restaurant has a different brand and unique competitive advantage. The goal is not to try and be fancier than the competition; the goal is to find what style aligns with your business model. Then, supervisors need to enact proper training and protocols to ensure that service is offered to customers. Read ahead to learn the 4 types of restaurant services to decide which category you fit into.

A quick service establishment offers the fastest service along with the least expensive ticket items. Fast food restaurants like McDonald's and Wendy's are great examples of quick-service restaurants. Since COVID-19, this type of establishment has grown in popularity. Patrons enjoy contactless service, 24/7 access, and delicious (yet sometimes unhealthy) food items.

Some entrepreneurs decide to open small, local fast food establishments that are not chains. Customers may walk up and order or go through a drive-thru line. Typical menu choices include burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, or deli item sandwiches.

Fine dining restaurants offer more elaborate and expensive menu items. The most critical part of a fine dining establishment is the atmosphere. Customers don't just go for the good food; they go for the experience.

These types of restaurants typically require reservations and may need customers to wear a certain type of dress. Because of the experience and knowledge of what to expect, patrons don't mind paying more to eat there. Examples may include Morton's Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, or Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.

What is fast-casual? Fast-casual is a relatively new term that refers to food service outlets such as restaurants, cafes, and food kiosks that offer moderately priced meals in a quick-service, casual environment. It's a term that is used more often for restaurants, as opposed to more formal restaurants, and it is often more like a diner or cafe that provides more than just sandwiches and hot dogs.

Fast-casual restaurants are a booming industry. They are projected to grow 8% over the next two years. Patrons typically order themselves and wait for their food to be finished. Or a server brings the food out once the ticket is complete, though this is rarer.

This is the type of restaurant that you can meet a colleague at for an important meeting, or grab a quick bite for yourself. And either way, the cost won't be too high. Restaurant owners choose this style of service because it is popular among every demographic.

Casual dining restaurants are similar to fast-casual establishments. The difference is that this table service is more family-friendly and the menu options are more extensive. Patrons feel comfortable dining in and ordering food from a server. Waitstaff handles everything as they would in a fine dining restaurant, but the ambiance is less luxurious.

These restaurants are less expensive than fine-dining establishments but pricier than fast-casual restaurants. Examples of menu items include pasta, chicken dishes, Asian fusion cuisine, or quick and easy seafood dishes. One benefit is that restaurant owners have a lot of flexibility in how they want to offer their services and optimize the menu.

You've been dreaming about opening your restaurant. And then, when you finally start researching ideas, you discover there are numerous different food service styles! It's hard to keep track of them all, let alone know which one to choose for your dream restaurant.

First, you have to consider what the final objective is. Is it to provide a great ambiance? What kind of food do you think customers will enjoy? Consider the demographics of the area and what people are looking for. Scope out the competition and ensure the market you choose isn't saturated.


You want to offer something unique, but it must align with customer demand. Look for the problem and see how you can solve it. For example, there may be plenty of fast-food restaurants in the area, but not one single fast-food franchise that offers vegan food. Because trends show that local patrons are seeking healthy, meatless options, a vegan fast-food franchise might be profitable. There is no right or wrong model to pick, but the type of restaurant service must be able to survive in the market it exists in.