How much money do waiters make?

Question

I want to get a job at a busy restaurant like The Olive Garden, The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Changs,...those type of places. If you've worked at those jobs, how much money did you end up making? What does it take to get hired at these places too?

Do they check up on your references? I've worked at customer service before though I've never been a waiter so I think I could do it. I'm a college student trying to work my way through college, I don't really think I'd mind being a waiter because you're sort of doing the same thing if you work at mall...getting whatever the customer needs.

Answer 1

This depends on your location, restaurant, attitude and personality, how good you are at waiting tables, etc.  Because your pay is based on tips it will vary from person to person.  The Cheesecake Factory requires 2 years of previous serving experience so don't even bother applying there.  I worked at Red Robin in a good area and never took home less than $100 per night, days were around $50.  Then I transferred to a worse area and never made more than $60 per night, days were $20.  Nothing about my service changed - just the types of customers.  I would say for a place like Olive Garden, you can plan to make around $70 to $100+ depending on when you work, where you work, and how good your sections are.