What responsibility does the hostess or greeter have in a restaurant?

The role of the hostess or greeter in a restaurant primarily revolves around ensuring a smooth flow of customers throughout the dining area. One of their key responsibilities is to seat guests in a manner that evenly distributes patrons among the various sections of the restaurant. This not only helps in managing the dining experience by preventing any one section from becoming overwhelmed but also allows for efficient service and a balanced workload for the servers.

Managing reservations is important but typically falls under the purview of the host or a reservation system rather than a specific duty of the greeter, whose main function is to welcome and seat guests. Preparing tables is usually the job of bus staff or servers rather than the greeter. Taking orders is a task handled by the servers, who are trained to understand the menu and provide detailed service to the guests once they are seated.

By rotating arriving guests among the sections, the hostess or greeter ensures that seating is handled efficiently and that each area of the restaurant is utilized effectively, promoting an optimal dining environment for both guests and staff.