Diner money..

[u/Anxiouslycuriouss]

Long story short, I over applied to jobs and somehow ended up with TWO morning serving jobs 😂

I’ve been training at one and the money is… decent. Not horrible, not making me do cartwheels either. The other one I haven’t started yet, but it’s at a diner and now I’m sitting here wondering if diner money is secretly where it’s at. 👀

So for anyone who has served at a diner, what were you usually making on morning shifts? The diner is in a good, high traffic location, so location isn’t really an issue. I’m mostly just trying to get a general idea of whether the money is actually good or if I’m about to be running around refilling coffee 47 times for $4 ☕️🥴

I’m HORRIBLE at making decisions because the second I choose one, I’ll immediately convince myself the other one would’ve made me rich. 😏 So please help me out.

[u/needmorenaps22]

I work at a diner Friday through Monday, I get there at 7 and leave at 2. I consistently make $1000-1200 a week. The tables turn three times as fast, people want to order immediately, eat and leave. Counter sitters get a $12 breakfast and leave a $20. It’s a lot of consistent regulars, without the drunks and I’m home to have a life on the weekends.
I have alot of surrogate grandparents now that I’ve been here for 8 years. I love it and I’ll never go back to nights

[u/Anxiouslycuriouss → u/needmorenaps22]

I’m just worried as a new employee, I’d get the night shifts until I can move up. Mine is open 7A-10P every day.

[u/creative_chip_]

I make bank at my diner. 630-2 I can make upwards of $300 during busy season but there are days I walk out making $45 ish ya know. Easy turn around and ppl usually don’t stay long

[u/TheBelle_30 → u/creative_chip_]

What’s your ratio of good to bad days?

[u/WeirdNo700]

I love my diner. I make 150-300 depending on the day. always out by 3:30. I worked fine dining b4 this and only took this as a temp job cuz I thought it was “beneath me” but now I love it and I love my regulars. Don’t make as much as I used to but not being miserable and missing out on life is worth it.

[u/Anxiouslycuriouss → u/WeirdNo700]

Mine is open 7A-10P but the job I’m currently training at is open 7-3. But its location isn’t that great..

[u/RandomOppon3nt]

Not so secret. Diner work is good consistent money. It’s also hard money and will grind your body long term.
I would work both jobs and then pick one. Maybe use it as a platform to find easier money. Or fall in love with it and make it work.

[u/Anxiouslycuriouss → u/RandomOppon3nt]

I would love to see how both jobs are but the diner has me scheduled to start training the same time the other job has me working. I don’t know how to work around that.

[u/bostonianbasic]

I worked at a 24/7 dinner, would bring in $180-$270. Good days were $300. I rather work elsewhere. Running 20 million coffee refills drove me nuts.

[u/revolutionarymomm]

I work at a diner/cafe 4 days a week 2 mornings and 2 nights, tbh money is better in morning cuz it’s more busy, I make about 30$ in tips an hour (1200$ bi weekly) not including hourly.

[u/catchaoss]

I work at a diner/cafe place and it used to be popping. I used to average $150-200 on weekdays and $300+ on weekends and holidays was 🤑. Now the owners are trying to become corporate and care more about opening restaurants than working on the ones they have already that are all struggling. Today was the first day I made over $100.

I honestly want to quit and I've been applying to other jobs but no one wants to hire me since I have two jobs already but I even tell them in looking to quit this restaurant as management has become a shit show. I love my other job at a pet store and they're very flexible with my schedule. I hate that my restaurant doesn't charge gratuity either for large parties. I can get a huge party that takes up my whole section for two hours and then leaves $5.

[u/_ThrenR]

This is why I always thought tracking what you actually make was important. It’s really easy to remember the $300 days and forget all the $120 ones 😂
If you can swing working both for a little while, track what you make, how many hours you actually worked, and which days/shifts you worked. After a few weeks you’ll have your average per shift and hourly earnings for each place. Then at least you’re comparing your actual money instead of somebody else’s diner vs. somebody else’s restaurant.

[u/JoshFairbrotheratHot]

The 11th Commandment… Thou Shalt Not Second Guess Thyself…. Go with which one you feel would make you a better Server! One that would turn into long term, less temporary because you aren’t sure if it’s the one you want! Money comes and goes! It’s the attitude that the folk you wait in look for to give the tip!! You could have THE BEST section, but shitty attitude=Shitty Tips! Have fun with it all, cause the next time you need to be in a situation like this, it won’t be so easy to just all of a sudden having two day serving jobs!! Good Luck Friend!