Fast Food Cooks

Career summary

#some info possibly from 7826, short order cooks is an ncis title, checked 2/26/15 lh

Fast food cooks prepare a limited selection of food items, such as hamburgers, sandwiches, tacos, and pizza. They learn what to prepare next by reading a food order or listening to requests from coworkers. They follow specific recipes when preparing items. Foods such as hamburgers and tacos require assembly. They add all the ingredients for these items. They often must follow a set order for adding the meat, sauce, cheese, and other parts. Sometimes they work on several different orders at the same time.

Fast food cooks either wrap foods or put them on a plate or basket when they are ready. Sometimes they place the wrapped food in bags for to go orders. Some serve the food to customers at a window or counter.

Fast food cooks in some restaurants reheat precooked food. They remove the food from the bag, heat it, and use it to assemble orders.

Cooks in other restaurants slice food such as onions or meat. They also measure ingredients and prepare dishes. This may involve monitoring food in fryers, grills, or warming machines. Cooks adjust cooking temperatures so food does not burn.

Fast food cooks may prepare and serve drinks, such as coffee and sodas. They also clean their work area and equipment. They must maintain strict health, safety and sanitation standards. They restock their workstations and may take deliveries of supplies.

Fast food cooks at some food establishments take orders and receive payment.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bakers
• Baristas
• Buspersons
• Chefs and Dinner Cooks
• Counter Attendants
• Food Preparation Workers
• Food Processing Workers
• Kitchen Helpers
• Meat Cutters
• Short-Order Cooks
• Waiters and Waitresses

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to fast food cooks.

• Read food order slips or respond to verbal requests.
• Slice and measure food.
• Prepare food according to specific recipes.
• Monitor food in fryers and grills, and regulate cooking temperatures.
• Cook, assemble, wrap, and package food items.
• Serve food to customers at windows, counters, or tables.
• Prepare and serve drinks, such as coffee and sodas.
• Clean work area and equipment. Maintain sanitation standards.
• Make sure all food prepared is of high quality and the right quantity.
• May take orders and receive payment from customers.
• Restock workstations and display cases.
• Take delivery of supplies.
• Pre-cook food for later use.

Common work activities

Fast food cooks perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, fast food cooks:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They usually do not take orders directly from customers, but interact with wait staff, managers, and other cooks.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
• May occasionally deal with unpleasant or rude customers.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by coworkers.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work indoors. May work outdoors at catered events or at an outdoor food stand.
• Sometimes wear a special uniform.
• Are sometimes exposed to situations that cause cuts and burns or slips and falls. However, injuries are usually minor.
• Work near others, sometimes within a few feet or closer. Restaurant kitchens are often small spaces.
• May be exposed to distracting noises and sound levels from cooktops.
• Often wear protective gear, such as gloves and aprons.
• Are exposed to hot temperatures from fryers and grills.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Improperly prepared food might make people sick.
• Must keep pace with the speed at which food is cooking and the numbers of orders placed.
• May repeat the same activities, especially making the same recipe over and over.
• Sometimes make decisions that affect coworkers and the company's reputation. They can make most decisions without talking to a supervisor first.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first. Their tasks are often determined by food orders.

Hours/travel

• May work early mornings, late evenings, holidays, weekends, or days.
• May work part time or full time. Most work about 40 hours or less.

Physical demands

Fast food cooks frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for fast food cooks to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for fast food cooks to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.

Skills and abilities

Fast food cooks need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Culinary Arts
• Food Services

Training

To work as a fast food cook, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this occupation. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Work experience

It is helpful if you have experience working in a fast food restaurant or cooking for others.

On-the-job training

Most fast food cooks learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Training may last from one week to one month. After training, another worker supervises your work for a period.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Culinary Arts
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Food and Nutrition
• Food Service
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer workers who are neat and clean and have a pleasant personality.

Costs to workers

Food worker cards are $10. The initial card is valid for two years. After that period, cards must be renewed every three years. With additional food safety training, workers can qualify for a five-year card.

#Info still correct 3/11/14, 4/11/16, 3/27/18 cj.

Licensing/certification

Fast food cooks must have a food worker card. To get a card, workers must pay a fee and pass a written examination.

For more information on food worker cards, contact your local county health department listed in the county government section of your phone book. You may also find more information at the Washington Department of Health's Food Worker Card page. 

#Changed web site 4/7/09 lh. Info ok, 3/27/18 cj. 2/27/19 lh

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Cooks, Fast Food 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by employer, region of the country, and the cook's level of experience.

Full-time workers may receive benefits, such as vacation time and health insurance. Part-time workers usually do not receive benefits. Some employers provide uniforms and free meals.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Fast food restaurants
• Full service restaurants

National outlook

Job growth is expected to decline for this occupation. However, job prospects are still excellent because it is a large occupation and many people leave for better paying jobs.

Other resources

National Restaurant Association 
2055 L Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
800.424.5156
202.331.5900

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation 
2055 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
800.424.5156

UNITE HERE 
275 - 7th Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.265.7000

References

Career cluster

• Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Cooks, Fast Food (35-2011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 1 - Little or no preparation needed. No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Baker, Pizza (313.381-014) 
• Cook, Fast Food (313.374-010) 
• Cook, Specialty (313.361-026) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Consumer Economics