10 Best Restaurant Uniform Ideas

Here are the ten best restaurant uniform ideas. They include some of the most notable restaurants around and their respective uniforms for 2018.

The “unique restaurant uniforms” are a great idea for those looking to have their own company. They also make it easy to find your employees in the crowd.

Uniforms aren’t required for restaurant employees, but they do have certain benefits. For starters, they allow you to guarantee that your personnel are dressed appropriately for work. Second, they aid in the promotion of your restaurant’s ambiance and brand. Finally, the majority of diners and staff favor them.

Dress Code vs. Uniform

A dress code establishes broad rules but allows employees to pick their own clothing. For example, numerous hues of red T-shirts may be available, as well as black trousers ranging from tights to black denim to flowing wide-leg slacks. The employer might purchase uniforms in bulk or by the piece from a wholesaler. Uniforms are often paid for or provided by employers, with the expense deducted from the employee’s wages. The uniform items you’ll need may vary depending on the sorts of restaurant employees you have.

Restaurants have varying uniform requirements. The following are some of the most prevalent.

Uniform for a Pizza Shop

Uniform polos, T-shirts, jackets, caps, and aprons are worn by Domino’s employees, who wear black or khaki trousers. (Image courtesy of Dominos.com)

Comfortable garments that visibly promote your brand help pizza businesses (and other eateries with strong takeaway and delivery sales volumes). Customers can recognize your employees with branded uniforms, particularly if they are delivery drivers coming at a customer’s house. T-shirts or polo shirts with logos on the back and front in your corporate colors are a wonderful match for a location where employees need to move about a lot.

To keep expenses down, include a dress code requirement for slacks and non-slip shoes to your uniform. Consider providing branded coats for your delivery personnel if you are situated in a cold-weather location.

2. Uniforms for the Deli

Subway uses colorful uniform objects to highlight its color palette. (Image from of oasispromotional.com)

Employees at deli shops often work both at the counter and in the kitchen, so clothes must reflect this. Chef clothing isn’t required since you’re largely dealing with sandwiches, but complete bib aprons are usually a good idea. A tidy look that also complies to kitchen safety is more crucial. You’ll need to bring headgear that keeps hair in place, as well as gloves. A branded T-shirt or polo shirt would serve for the others, particularly if you have a large turnover.

3. Uniforms for Cafes and Coffee Shops

Starbucks offers a more relaxed dress code to encourage personal expression, although aprons are still required for brand identification. (Image courtesy of Starbucks.com)

Anyone who has ever waited in line for a cup of coffee in the morning knows that coffee shops can be just as crowded as restaurants. As a result, it’s critical that your personnel wear comfortable uniforms that allow them to move about, particularly behind the counter. An employee may work the drive-thru, barista, and garbage detail throughout a shift, thus aprons and helmets are essential.

What additional items you use will be determined by the mood you wish to create. You’ll want to keep your prices low if your crew is largely students or if you have a lot of turnover.

4. Mobile Food Truck

Food truck outfits often consist of brightly colored T-shirts and caps. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Food trucks are the epitome of casual dining, but just because the venue is “dressed down” doesn’t imply your personnel should be. Select uniforms that will keep tidy under pressure, will not wrinkle, and will allow your employees to seamlessly shift from serving to cooking. The majority of food truck outfits are colorful and distinctive, with eye-catching designs or clever phrases. Keep in mind the truck’s height and your clients’ eye level while positioning your logos. You want people to remember who you are after seeing your fantastic creations.

A lot of food trucks are small companies. You may simply purchase modest quantities of shirts, caps, and even jackets from Vistaprint if you’re worried about fulfilling minimum order requirements with bigger, conventional restaurant uniform businesses.

5. Fast Food / Counter Service

Management at most fast food establishments, such as Wendy’s, wears upscaled uniforms. (Image courtesy of Barcouniforms.com)

Most fast-food restaurants already have uniforms in place, so if you’re in that business, it’s a smart idea to take a cue from them. In general, they have basic standards for regular employees, with updated management possibilities. Uniforms are generally the same whether you work in the kitchen or at the counter, and they represent the brand in terms of color and emblem. While you desire high quality, keep in mind that fast-food uniforms are subject to a lot of wear and tear. Even if leaving employees return their uniforms to you, another employee may not be allowed to use them.

6. Casual Full Service

With humorous, casual T-shirts, Famous Dave’s makes the most of its BBQ motif. (Image courtesy of BrianDanaher.com)

Return customers are important to casual sit-down restaurants, so make sure your uniforms, like your personnel, represent not just a friendly ambiance, but also the tone you want to convey. Consider T-shirts with slogans and catchy phrases if you want to create a welcoming environment.

Polos or button-downs provide a little formality without being too stuffy if you’re striving for a more sophisticated but yet casual look. Choose a uniform that is comfortable for your staff; Olive Garden, for example, switched from a white shirt and tie to a more comfortable yet fashionable black button-down when employees complained about the ties.

7. Upscale Full Service

With white chef coats sporting a stylish yet visible insignia, Bonefish Grill has a unique aesthetic. (Image courtesy of BonefishGrill.com)

Guests demand more from upmarket restaurants, not just in terms of cuisine and service, but also in terms of ambience. That should be reflected in your uniforms. Fabrics of superior quality, particularly those that clean easily, should be used. Your wait crew may or may not wear hats (or even aprons), but if they do, it will be more for show than for function. Dresses are acceptable for hostesses, whereas vests or jackets are appropriate for hosts and bartenders. To obtain a genuinely consistent image, you may wish to define the whole uniform, even down to shoe design.

Darker hues are more refined and conceal stains. Although most upmarket establishments adhere to neutrals and blues, they are also fantastic to match with a striking hue. You could even want to think about using bespoke textiles. Tilit NYC and CargoCrew, for example, provide stylish uniforms in a variety of materials and can work with you to develop unique uniforms.

Fine Dining Restaurant No. 8

Chef Curtiss Stone had his uniforms custom created by Cargo Crew when he established a new restaurant in Dallas. (Image courtesy of CargoCrew.com)

If you own a high-end fine dining business with a dress code, you’ll undoubtedly want your workers to dress to the same level as your clients, if not higher. Subtle branding and elegant clothes that varied by position may give your employees a sophisticated impression. Because each employee has a distinct purpose, uniforms may be customized to meet their demands, but color and style can be used to bind them all together. Consider keeping some extras in your back office, such as clean chef coats, to ensure that your staff always appears professional in the dining room.

Many fine dining establishments collaborate directly with fashion designers to develop trends that are appropriate for their brand. The cutting-edge Chicago eatery Alinea, for example, collaborated with the Zegna label to create its staff uniforms. This is a much more costly choice, but it offers your business a very unique appearance.

Restaurant with a Seasonal Menu

The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club uniforms include shorts and white polos to keep servers cool in the hot outdoors. (Source: Bermudareal.com)

Restaurants that are only open for a portion of the year, such as during ski season, tourist season, or summer vacations, are known as seasonal restaurants. As a result, the uniforms should be weather-appropriate, particularly if your customers will be dining outside. Shorts are available from several uniform vendors, like WaitStuff. For waitstaff at a ski resort, long-sleeved uniforms and fleece vests are an alternative.

High employee and client turnover might be a benefit in terms of uniforms for a seasonal restaurant since it allows you to try out more unusual products that you would not be able to get in stores, such as Hawaiian shirts. When deciding on this choice, keep health and safety in mind. Use your logo on name tags, aprons, or helmets.

10. Uniforms for Bars

A vest and apron, such as these from CargoCrew, keep you looking professional while protecting you from spillage. (Image courtesy of CargoCrew.com)

Because people generally pick a bar based on its ambience, the uniform you choose should complement the brand or the location’s individuality. Bartenders at tiki bars wear bright colors or flowery designs, but those in a classy urban pub would wear white jackets. Regardless matter the design you pick, make sure your bar uniforms are comfortable and simple to clean. Vests with pockets and a pocketed half-aprons are fashionable, stylish, and spill-proof.

What to Look for When Purchasing a Restaurant Uniform

When deciding What to Look for When Purchasing a Restaurant Uniform, first think about the features you want for your front of the house (dining) uniforms and back of the house (kitchen) uniforms. Consider your restaurant’s specific needs around brand/look, head coverings, shirt comfort, non-slip shoes, and aprons.

Uniforms for the front and back of the house

Uniforms should be comfy for your staff regardless of the sort of restaurant they work in. This necessitates consideration of both body form and size. While certain restaurants, such as Hooters, require revealing or provocative attire, most eateries prefer modesty and proper footwear. Here are a few more things to think about.

• Workplace: The materials should be appropriate for the workplace. Cotton is more breathable, whereas certain polyesters repel water. Avoid nylon because it clings to the body and does not breathe. Provide both short and long-sleeve alternatives, particularly if you have a lot of air conditioning.
• Employee Duties: Restrictive uniforms slow employees down, and unpleasant fitting make it difficult to execute tasks that require stretching or fast movements.
• Consider situations such as gas fire stoves or barbeque pits when choosing designs and materials. BOH and for the majority of your workers FOH, sturdy shoes with non-slip soles are a necessary. To avoid burns, chefs may choose to wear sleevies or long-sleeved coats.
• Health regulations mandate that individuals handling food wear hats and gloves to keep their hair under control. Polyester outperforms cotton in terms of antimicrobial protection.
• Think about where you fall on the range of flashy to formal, in addition to brand colors and clear themes. Also, keep in mind designs that flatter a wide range of persons, particularly if you’re looking for dresses for your female staff.
• Budget: Each employee should have at least two uniforms, one of which may be washed at any given time. Make provisions for extras. You may have goods that never leave the restaurant, such as aprons. Consider the cost of new products as well as the cost of cleaning.
• The more things in a uniform, the more likely they are to be misplaced, forgotten for a shift, or removed when the employee departs. This is a bigger issue if you have a lot of personnel turnover.

It is unnecessary to wear a complicated uniform. A single item, such as a T-shirt, might help certain eateries maintain their brand. Aprons are the most basic option, and they may be kept at the restaurant since they fit everyone. Set some dress code regulations to ensure that everyone is safe and dressed appropriately.

How to Make Your Uniforms Unique

Customizations may make any uniform stand out as distinctively yours, regardless of the style of uniform you buy.

Vistaprint can print your restaurant’s logo on a variety of different items. (Image courtesy of Vistaprint.com)

Here are some more methods to stand out, in addition to style and color:

• Uniforms Made-to-Order: You may collaborate with designers, local tailors, or uniform firms to create custom designs that represent your own style. You may either collaborate with the firm to create a cloth or hire a designer on Fiverr.com and have it printed on a site like Spoonflower.
• Create a distinct logo that matches your business if you don’t already have one. The logo may then be silk-screened or embroidered on the uniform, or it can be used on special textiles. Check out our list of best logo design firms to locate a logo designer.
• Color Scheme: In restaurants, color theory is also important. Warmth and friendliness are conveyed by bright hues such as yellow and orange. Cooler hues, such as green, are associated with health and remind buyers of lush greens. Red has been proved to stimulate hunger, making it an excellent choice for any restaurant uniform. Blue is a beautiful hue on almost everyone, yet it has been proved to reduce appetite.
• Uniforms aren’t only for wearing. They may also be used to create branded tools. Wine keys, bar towels, coasters, and writing pads with logos add to the ambience.
• If you’re on a tight budget, impose a rigid dress code and then add an item to make your business stand out and create consistency. Hats, ties, bow ties, belts, and cummerbunds may all be used to add some flair. Consider socks as well as shoes if you’re looking for a full uniform.

What You Should Know About Face Masks

Face masks in various styles are available from uniform makers such as Chef Works. (Image courtesy of Chef Works)

Face masks have emerged as a new item as a result of the epidemic. Uniform firms have already begun to produce them, either to complement their existing uniform choices or as custom-mades with your brand. Consider the following factors when selecting face masks for your team:

• Comfort: If the ear loops on a mask are the incorrect size, they might irritate, so choose adjustable ones. You may even obtain ear savers with your brand printed on them. Otherwise, check out the ties, as well as the bandana and neck-gaiter designs.
• Masks must fit snugly over the nose, with a piece of metal to allow for adjustments. Employees who use glasses may experience fogging if they do not do so. They should also be able to cover the whole face without gaps.
• Fabric masks aren’t completely secure, but they’re much less so if your workers are continuously tugging them down or readjusting them in order to breathe more readily. Find masks that suit your face while yet allowing for airflow.
• Branding: You can obtain face masks in branded fabrics, just like you can get uniforms in branded fabrics. Printing firms such as Zazzle and Vistaprint provide masks that may be customized with your brand.

Your logo may be added to a face mask on Zazzle’s website. (Image courtesy of Zazzle.com)

Costs of Restaurant Uniforms

Uniforms may be expensive or affordable, depending on the style, textiles, alterations, and other factors. Some upscale restaurants even commission renowned designers to design their outfits.

In general, pricing for particular goods should fall within the following ranges:

• $10 to $130 for a whole apron
• $30-$65 for a half apron
• Chef coats range in price from $17 to $125.
• $7 to $35 for a reusable face mask
• Polo shirts range in price from $24 to $70.
• $38-$90 for a button-front shirt
• $10-$25 for a t-shirt

Individual item pricing, on the other hand, aren’t usually the entire picture when it comes to uniforms. Many restaurant uniform suppliers have a minimum order requirement, particularly if you want custom-made or embroidered uniforms. Minimum orders might vary from 12 to 100 pieces, depending on the item category.

Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it necessary for me to purchase uniforms for my employees?

California, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York, for example, all require you to supply and maintain uniforms. Others don’t have any restrictions. Uniforms are considered a business cost if you buy them.

Consider your employees if you don’t give uniforms. If you employ a lot of teenagers or part-time workers, you could wish to give or make products cheap. The uniform fee is prohibited by law from lowering an employee’s pay below the minimum wage.

Is it necessary for me to keep uniforms?

Uniform washing should be the responsibility of the employees. If uniforms need to be ironed, dry cleaned, or carefully washed (due to severe stains or color issues), you may want to do it yourself or grant staff permission to do it.

Is it legal for me to charge my workers for lost or damaged uniforms?

You may do so, but like with charging for uniforms, make sure you’re aware of your state’s regulations. If you decide to charge for this, make sure that workers are aware of the policy when they are employed and that it is included in the employee handbook. Be clear when it comes to establishing universal standards.

Is it possible to purchase staff uniforms at a normal clothes store?

You can, but bear in mind that retail businesses alter their designs and colors seasonally, making it difficult to maintain a consistent brand. Furthermore, many uniform shops will provide wholesale pricing, discounts, and will not cease your patterns if you choose unique colors. As a result, going to a normal clothes shop for unbranded products or temporary uniforms may be a smart option.

However, some restaurants may require its staff to purchase trousers from a normal clothing shop, such as Dickies, in order to maintain a consistent image.

In conclusion

A smart restaurant uniform, when paired with a dress code, ensures that your personnel are properly attired for the task, promotes your brand and environment, and helps to unite a team. They might be as elaborate as a whole uniform with matching socks and shoes, or as simple as an apron with your brand on it.

Consider your restaurant’s specific requirements in terms of working conditions, staff duties, the kind of dining experience you wish to provide your guests (casual or formal), and special requirements such as deliveries, seasons, or workforce base. Next, make sure you have a professional-looking logo to put on your outfit. Finally, rather of shopping at a retail store, we advocate using a uniform provider since they can offer bulk discounts, preserve your designs, and keep you in stock.

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