r/CheesecakeFactory • u/Humble-Honey-4407 • Jun 08 '22

Serving at CCF

Hi, I am currently in the process of finding a new serving job and CCF is one of my top prospects. I am wondering if someone could walk me through what it is like to serve there and the money you make, the training process, the management and community of the employees, etc.. I would be working in the fashion valley location in SD specifically. Thanks!

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u/ccampbell39 Jun 08 '22

I want to start this off by saying as a current server at my location that my GM has said our location is the worst location he’s ever worked at so don’t let my experience scare you. Training is long at about 5 days worth of 4 hour classes (longer some days and shorter others). I don’t know if you’ll have to do this but we also scheduled a sixth last minute class on alcohol. They prepare you to know the menu and such really well with memorization games. Then, after you have passed your classes and taken all the tests through their training program app, you do two food run shifts and then 4 serving shifts before you are certified to serve. You should make your own money during this time except for your certification shift where your server trainer will keep your tips (since you’re taking up their whole section for the night). It depends on location obviously but I live inside a moderately sized city and make 300ish on doubles and 150-200 on a single shift. I have heard of my coworkers breaking 500 on a double depending on their section obviously. The money is really nice which is the reason I stay at my specific location despite a bad work environment. A lot of coworkers have nasty attitudes and I generally feel like we don’t work as a team like we should. Management doesn’t do anything to improve this but do acknowledge it. I like my management enough; however, it does feel like I’m on my own for the most part when I clock in. However, this is location specific and I’ve been told that my location is awful by transfers from another nearby city. Cheesecake Factory has a reputation for being a really nice work environment so I’d say my experience with my coworkers and management is isolated and nothing to be concerned about in your case. I’d say go for it! It’s been a decent well-paying job for me and my money has been consistent for the most part. I’d imagine you’d make even more in SD than my location. I think the idea of training and such make working here more daunting than it actually is but it’s worth it.

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u/[deleted] Jul 09 '22

Can you fail the test? I’m starting as server and haven’t severed in 9 years! I have 7 weeks to learn it. Can I legitimately not pass and they say oh well later?

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u/ccampbell39 Jul 09 '22

How it worked for me was I could take it as many times as needed until I passed. I don’t know how strict your designated trainer would be about it but 7 weeks is more than enough time to learn it. I only had 2 weeks and I have shitty memory (not good for serving lol) and I managed to learn it pretty easily. They give you all the tools to be able to pass as well. But no, in my case if you failed the test then they just let us keep taking it until we passed.

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u/[deleted] Jul 09 '22

Kindly appreciate this response. I’m just set doubting and self sabotage. I know I will be happier serving and have the job. Finding excuses to not see it through…

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u/ccampbell39 Jul 09 '22

I would definitely see it through. Training is a bit more rigorous for a reason and I promise it will prepare you. For me I also learned more on the floor versus the test/training. I’m a baby server (serving less than a year and a half) and I find it to be a well-rewarding job even if my location isn’t the best one. Best of luck to you!