The majority of restaurants require their employees to wear approved restaurant uniforms. These restaurant uniforms, including waitstaff uniforms and chef uniforms, make it easy for guests to identify staff. They can also help distinguish an employee’s position in the company as well as her seniority.

Making the most of restaurant uniforms means making the uniforms work for your business. Consider these suggestions when purchasing uniforms or implementing uniform changes in your restaurant:

1. Make it easy for restaurant and staff to distinguish an employee’s job duties by using varied restaurant uniforms.

2. Vary the restaurant clothing according to seniority or rank.

3. Consider using special restaurant clothes to mark special occasions.

Action Steps for Picking Chef Clothing and other Restaurant Uniforms
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use restaurant uniforms to distinguish job titles or job locations

If you own or manage a large restaurant or a very busy restaurant, you may have difficulty remembering what employees were hired for what position. You can make it easy for you and your staff, as well as customers, to tell what employees are doing what job by having employees wear varying uniforms. For example, cooks can wear one style of uniform, such as a chef hat or jacket, you can have waitress uniforms and host uniforms. Another option is to have the front of the house staff wear a certain color or style uniform, while back of the house staff wears a different uniform or color.

I recommend: Uniform Warehouse has a varied selection of restaurant clothing, including uniforms appropriate for various jobs in the restaurant. This company offers low prices and discounted shipping options. LogoSportswear.com has an easy to navigate website that makes it easy to find restaurant uniforms suitable for your business.

Instill pride in employees who advance by using restaurant uniforms to distinguish rank

An employee who get a promotion usually wants to spread the word. Encourage them to do this in an appropriate way by using restaurant uniforms to distinguish job rank. For example, new chefs could wear red chef hats, fully trained chefs could wear black chef hats and chef trainers could wear white chef hats. This same idea can apply for the uniforms for other positions. Another idea is to add an embellishment, such as embroidering a star on a uniform with each increase in rank for an employee.

I recommend: AllHeartChefs.com and Wait Stuff have uniforms, including chef hats and waiter uniforms, for restaurants. Many of the items are available in multiple colors or patterns to make it easy for you order coordinating, yet different uniforms for your restaurant. AllHeartChefs.com offers embroidery on some items.

Recognize special events with special restaurant uniforms

You can show that you care about your employees by providing them with a special uniform to wear on special days. For example, you could give employees a special apron or shirt to wear on their birthday or the day closest to it that they work. Another idea is to order a special uniform for restaurant employees to wear on a holiday or on game days for a local college or professional sports team.

I recommend: Zazzle has polo shirts, t-shirts and Oxford shirts that you can customize and offer to employees to mark special occasions. This company offers quantity discounts, but there isn't a minimum order quantity. Queensboro offers a varied selection of fully customizable items, including uniform shirts. This company has a low minimum quantity and no set up fees.

Tips & Tactics for Getting Restaurant Uniforms Right

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Order more restaurant uniforms than you think you will need. This allows you to keep some extras on hand in case an employee needs to change his uniform during his shift, such as if he spills something on his shirt.

Along with the architecture and décor – and of course the food – your staff's uniforms make a powerful visual statement about your restaurant's style and identity. With nothing more than a quick glance at a waitress uniform, diners can tell if your establishment promises an upscale gourmet experience, an ethnic flavor or a budget-conscious bite. Of course, uniforms need to be functional, too.

Keep form and function in mind when choosing:
1. Front-of-the-house uniforms such as waiter and waitress uniforms
2. Back-of-the-house uniforms such as chef clothing

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Server aprons are an essential

Whether you outfit your wait staff in full waiter and waitress uniforms or let them wear their own clothing, aprons are a must. Servers use them to stash order pads, pens, checks, corkscrews, bottle openers, table scrapers and more. Choose a style that fits your image and has enough pockets.

I recommend: Find a list of restaurant uniform suppliers at MasterSeek.com, or choose from dozens of styles of bib aprons, cobbler aprons, waist aprons, bistro aprons and V-neck bib aprons at Uniform Warehouse.

Waiter and waitress uniforms

Choose colors to fit your décor. Depending on the type of restaurant you have, options include long- or short-sleeve button-down shirts, tuxedo shirts, polo shirts, T-shirts or waiter jackets. In some instances, a vest may be desirable as well. Most restaurateurs request that workers wear a specific color of pants of their own choosing. However, pants can be ordered as well if you desire a unified look.

I recommend: For the height of elegance, consider waiter and waitress uniforms from Cayson Culinary Designs. Visit RestaurantUniforms.com and KNG.com for a selection of shirts, pants and vests. Find more uniforms suppliers at Business.com.

Chef clothing

Chef uniforms are designed for comfort, function and style. If you have an open kitchen area where diners can see your kitchen in action, chef clothing style will play a bigger role.

I recommend: Find made-to-order chef clothing, including coats, pants, shirts, hats, vests, aprons and neckwear at CulinaryClassics.com.

Shoes are part of restaurant uniforms, too

Your servers and chefs are on their feet constantly, which makes comfortable shoes a requirement. Many restaurant owners let their workers wear their own shoes in a specified color. If you prefer a more consistent look, choose shoes designed for long hours of standing that are also slip resistant.

I recommend: Uniform Warehouse offers a variety of non-skid shoes in lace-up and slip-on styles. Find an assortment of comfortable shoes and clogs at chef apparel specialist AllHeartChefs.com.

Accessories can fill out your look

Neckwear, gloves, cummerbunds, suspenders, hats – these accessories can add flair to ho-hum restaurant uniforms.

I recommend: Check out the many accessories offered at WaitStuff.com.

Specialty restaurant uniforms

If you run a sushi restaurant, a Mexican eatery or some other ethnic restaurant, look for uniforms that fit your theme.

I recommend: Download a catalog that includes Japanese chef clothing, kimonos and wooden clogs at Export-Japan.com. Search for Hawaiian and tropical garments that make great restaurant uniforms at Squishwear.com. Fiesta fashions are available at PolosWithLogos.com.

Personalize restaurant uniforms with custom embroidery

Adding an embroidered name or logo – your own logo or a stock logo, such as a steaming cup of coffee, a sombrero or a wine glass – to your uniforms can reinforce your restaurant's image. Embroidering your server's name on each uniform can improve server-diner relations. When placing your company name or server's name, choose a font that fits with your brand. For example, consider elegant script for a sophisticated look, sans-serif for a sleek modern feel and fun styles for a kid-friendly approach.

I recommend: Embroider your company name, a logo or server's name at KNG.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Fabrics: Look for easy-care garments that are stain-repellant and wrinkle resistant -- especially for chef clothing.
• •  Picking up the tab: Businesses must cover the costs of all restaurant uniforms. However, if you simply request that servers wear a specific and common color for shirts, pants or shoes, employees are responsible for the costs.
• •  Shoes: Most restaurant owners simply ask servers to wear shoes of a certain color and style, for example, black athletic shoes.

The majority of food service establishments use restaurant uniforms to make it easy for patrons to identify employees. In some cases, the uniform is simply a t-shirt and in other cases, it is a full uniform. Many restaurants have a different uniform for each position in the restaurant. For example, chef uniforms, waitstaff uniforms and management uniforms.

When you are setting a budget for food service uniforms, be it a monthly budget, quarterly budget or annual budget, it is important to consider all costs. Keep these considerations in mind when setting your budget for uniforms:

1. Consider the base cost of restaurant uniforms, including waiter uniforms and waitress uniforms.

2. Think about the cost of restaurant uniforms for management.

3. Factor in the cost of accessories for the restaurant uniforms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine the cost to provide approved restaurant clothes to every employee and a few extras

Many restaurants provide employees with at least a shirt. Some restaurants provide their employees with pants as well. When you are budgeting for restaurant uniforms, you have to remember that you need to order extra uniforms in each style you choose in case an employee quits and fails to return the uniform or in case an employee gets dirty and needs a replacement in order to look presentable for customers for the remainder of his shift.

I recommend: KNG International has a guarantee on every uniform piece it sells. This can help you to alleviate unexpected uniform costs since you can return the uniform within the guarantee period if it needs replacing due to quality issues. When you purchase shirts, pants, coats and aprons, expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $15 per item. Uniform Warehouse has an experienced customer service staff available to help you determine the annual cost of supplying uniforms for your employees. This company also has a subscription service that alerts you to specials and sales. Uniform Warehouse's chef apparel runs from $4 to $20 per item; shirt prices are $3 and up; for pants and skirts, expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $35.

Assess the need for management uniforms when preparing a restaurant clothing budget

In keeping with a uniform look, some restaurants require management personnel to wear restaurant uniforms. These uniforms are usually a little more formal the rest of the uniforms to make management easy to distinguish from the rest of the employees. You must factor in the cost of these uniforms when you make a uniform budget if your restaurant provides management uniforms.

I recommend: You can find formal restaurant uniforms, including oxford shirts, that are suitable attire for management personnel at Restaurant Uniforms Online. This company offers customer reviews to help you choose items suitable for your needs. Big Front has a full line of corporate and formal restaurant uniforms that are suitable for management personnel. This company will custom make uniforms to your specifications. Expect to pay about $10 for smaller items, like serving gloves. However, prices run up to $100 for tuxedo jackets.

Determine the cost to supply required accessories for restaurant uniforms

Accessories to restaurant clothing, such as aprons, chef hats and name tags can add a considerable amount to your uniform cost. In restaurants that provide shoes for employees, this cost is even greater.

I recommend: Name-Tags.net offers a varied selection of name tags, including reusable name tags, around $5 each. This company will help you determine the quantity and style of name tags that best suits your business. Best Buy Uniforms & Promos has a full line of restaurant uniform accessories, including chef coats, hats and aprons starting around $2 each.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is a good idea to provide at least two restaurant uniforms to full time employees to ensure that they come to work in a clean uniform. Consider this when you prepare your budget for uniforms.

For any dining establishment of any size, restaurant uniforms are crucial. From the most informal fast-food joints to formal upscale kitchens, managers use uniform choices for branding, whether it's with a prominent logo or by using a classy style to promote a non-chain restaurant. There are a lot of other considerations for outfitting a restaurant with the uniforms it needs. Those looking to make buying choices can get more informed about some of the key terms for server and chef wear before jumping into a purchase.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Waiter or server aprons

Aprons are a common choice for servers in any restaurant. Waiter aprons are specialized aprons that provide pockets for all of the gear servers carry around. Apron styles complement a full uniform.

I recommend: Find out more about waiter aprons and other server uniform options at What Waiters Wear.

Server jackets

Some of the most upscale restaurants use server jackets to enhance the overall image of a dining area. Server jackets are uniform jackets that servers wear to promote a restaurant's image. Many of them come in white for a 'clean' look, and include decorative buttons.

I recommend: Get details on common varieties of server jackets and some great visuals at Crooked Brook.

Cummerbunds

A cummerbund is a band of material around the waist. These are common in some types of restaurants.

I recommend: Find out more about the history of the cummerbund for culinary work at WiseGeek.

Chef's jacket

The chef's jacket is the piece of outerwear that chefs routinely wear while they are cooking. It has a lot of interesting features, such a reversible layer, a protective padding element and much more for aiding a cook when he or she is under the gun in a busy kitchen.

I recommend: Find out a lot about the history and design of the chef's jacket at Chefolio.

Bistro style apron

The bistro style apron is an apron that wraps around the waist, with the remainder falling below the waist. These are very handy for restaurant use.

I recommend: Find out more about the bistro style apron and other types at this Bold and Sassy Chef Aprons page.

FDA food code

The FDA food code is a federal set of requirements that affects restaurant uniform accessory choices such as the use of gloves.

I recommend: Read a lot more about the FDA food code and how it applies to gloves and other parts of the restaurant uniform at this interesting piece from Slate.