Restaurant Server Uniforms 101

Depending on the concept of your restaurant, your front-of-house staff are expected to dress in a certain fashion. From vests and dress shirts to bistro aprons and bow ties, there is a wide range of different restaurant uniforms. Regardless of your aesthetic, you want your waitstaff to look sharp. This guide can help.

In this article, Toast will outline the importance of server uniforms, the top restaurant uniform brands, and how to design your own. Ready? Let’s talk waist aprons.

What is a restaurant server uniform?

A restaurant server uniform is a set outfit, typically provided by the business, that servers wear during every shift. 

A server uniform is different from a dress code. A dress code suggests guidelines that the staff are asked to adhere to  — like wearing all black or requiring a shirt with a collar. A server uniform is more specific: a branded shirt, a specific hat or apron, or (in some cases) a complete outfit.

What is the purpose of a restaurant server uniform? 

Uniforms aren't required in every restaurant. Depending on your concept, they might not be needed. 

But if you do go the route of restaurant server uniforms, they can serve many purposes — clearly identifying staff to your guests, ensuring a work-appropriate outfit, and creating brand continuity. And server uniforms should be functional – making it easier for your staff to perform their jobs well while staying comfortable. 

How much do uniforms cost in a restaurant? 

As with many choices you make in your restaurant, the answer is: It depends.

If you're only providing aprons and otherwise requiring that servers wear their own clothing (maybe in a particular color palette), the costs are low: you can find aprons in bulk for a few dollars apiece. Prices increase from there, especially with custom or personalized items.

If you prefer to provide a complete outfit, your prices increase accordingly.

The best restaurant apparel brands

We’ve curated a list of the best server uniform brands. This list includes uniform programs of a variety of different styles and prices.

1. Equipt 

Equipt is a restaurant apparel brand created by Ashley Albrizio. A well-seasoned industry vet herself, Ashley always had to source her own work clothes. Then in 2019, she decided to start her own brand: a go-to performance apparel brand that is designed for people who work in service and hospitality. Ashley told Toast, “My goal was to provide people with a reliable and accessible product that empowered them and set them up for success in their fields”.

Today her Essential Button Down shirt is the perfect work shirt, available in both black and white and men’s and women’s sizes. The shirts are designed with industry people in mind, tailored to what needs improvement in what people currently wear; the shirts feature a longer length to prevent untucking, a longer collar flap to ensure any tie fits underneath, and has the attributes of an athletic shirt (moisture wicking, wrinkle resistant, breathable with stretch). The intention of this high-quality shirt is to expand with other shirt styles and colors, pants, vests, ties, blazers, outerwear. The best part? They’re machine washable!

Ashley and her team at Equipt are adamant about bridging lifestyle with athletics with work wear, allowing the wearer to feel like they’re wearing something besides their “work clothes”. Industry workers love this brand because the shirts don’t untuck, spills dry quickly, and they don’t have to iron them.

2. Webstaurant Store

If you work in the industry you’ve probably already heard of this one. Webstaurant Store carries a variety of different restaurant supplies, uniforms included. Webstaurant Store was founded in 2004 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania as an online retailer specializing in restaurant equipment and supplies. Since its beginnings as a small e-commerce operation, Webstaurant has grown into one of the largest distributors of foodservice products in the United States.

A key part of their business is supplying high-quality restaurant uniforms and apparel to industry professionals. Webstaurant recognizes that staff uniforms are an important part of creating a cohesive, professional image for any dining establishment. That's why they partner with respected brands to offer durable, comfortable, and stylish uniforms that hold up well in the kitchen. With a wide array of options from classic chef coats and chef coats to modern server shirts, polo shirts, and aprons, Webstaurant makes it easy for restaurants to outfit their entire staff in professional attire. This is a good option if you’re looking for very standard uniforms with the option of buying in bulk.

3. Dickies

You may know Dickies as a styling brand but did you know they also sell restaurant uniforms? Dickies has been an iconic workwear brand since 1922 when the brand started making durable garments for tradesmen in Texas. The company's signature bib overalls, work pants and shirts quickly became popular among workers who valued their simple, no-frills style. As Dickies expanded over the decades, they applied this same philosophy to other industries, including food service.

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4. Tilit

Tilit is a relatively new player in the restaurant uniform industry, founded in 2012 by veterans of the food and fashion worlds. The company was started with the goal of elevating the workwear game for culinary professionals with more stylish designs. Tilit's founders were motivated by their observations that traditional chef whites and bib aprons didn't really suit the modern dining aesthetics.

Tilit's apparel blends classic workwear elements like durable fabrics with a distinctly fashion-forward perspective. Their collections feature slimmer fits, edgier stylings, and premium materials. Despite their trendier looks, Tilit's garments are tested and designed specifically for the demands of kitchen work. Tilit enables teams to look sharp and stay comfortable throughout their shifts. As restaurants have embraced more expressive, design-conscious concepts, Tilit has provided apparel that lets chefs' personal style shine through.

5. ChefWorks

ChefWorks was established in the 1960s in San Diego, California as a supplier of culinary apparel and accessories. The company focused on providing high-quality uniforms designed specifically for the needs of food service professionals. ChefWorks built its reputation by using innovative designs to enhance the fit, comfort, and durability of its chef coats, pants, restaurant aprons, and more.

Today, ChefWorks is an industry leader in restaurant workwear. Their apparel incorporates features like moisture-wicking, stain-release, and anti-microbial fabrics to keep staff dry and fresh through long shifts. ChefWorks' collections cover both traditional and modern styling, enabling restaurants to choose a contemporary or classic look. ChefWorks provides restaurant uniforms that work as hard as the people who wear them.

6. Stock Mfg. Co.

Stock Mfg. Co. is a Chicago-based company that has been around since 2012. Stock's restaurant collection includes rugged fabrics and different designs. Their customers are able to choose from different looks such as modern, Italian, casual, and more.

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Stock prides itself on using top-quality materials like thick cotton twills, hardy canvas, and more. These materials enable them to construct garments that can withstand the conditions of a busy kitchen. To guarantee the perfect fit, quality, and functionality, this company creates samples for customers to test before finalizing the uniforms. With an aesthetic that straddles the line between traditional workwear and contemporary fashion, Stock Mfg. Co. allows culinary teams to blend timeless style with outstanding performance.

7. Chefwear

Chefwear began when pastry chef Rochelle Huppin became a student at The Culinary Institute of America in 1985. After being issued the standard polyester uniform on her first day of class, Huppin realized that the uncomfortable fabric and poor fit would not work for her in the kitchen.  So she created her own styles out of 100% cotton fabric.

Today, Chefwear is headquartered in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The original Chefwear styles have developed into a full line of food service uniforms. This brand works with every type of food service business regardless of its size - large hotel and restaurants chains, independent restaurants, culinary schools, corporate foodservice, university foodservice, grocery stores, country clubs, casinos, cruise ships and TV shows. Chefwear ships everywhere in the world and provides their customers with knowledgeable and friendly service along with the best in culinary apparel.

8. Chef Uniforms

Chef Uniforms has over 30 years of experience dressing back of house employees and selling waiter uniforms. The company aims to be a one-stop shop for outfitting kitchen teams, servers, and culinary staff in high-quality chef pants, coats, aprons, hats, shoes, and more. For large order groups, they offer customized technology that makes uniform programs run seamlessly.

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What likely sets Chef Uniforms apart is their wide product selection that covers both traditional and modern uniform styles. In addition to classic white coats and checked pants, they likely offer more fashion-forward apparel options with contemporary fits and designs to match current restaurant trends.

9. WaitStuff Uniforms

WaitStuff's uniform collections cover a wide range of styles from classic to contemporary, using fabrics like cotton, linen, and blends that are comfortable to wear during long shifts. Their shirts, vests, dresses, and aprons come in a variety of colors to allow restaurants to coordinate branded looks. The apparel is designed with functional details like wrinkle resistance, stain-release, and stretch to withstand the demands of serving.

WaitStuff also offers custom uniform design services like embroidered polos to create unique looks tailored to a restaurant's branding and aesthetic. With fast turnaround times and affordable pricing, WaitStuff makes it easy for any dining establishment to outfit their front-of-house teams in professional, on-trend apparel that provides both style and performance.

10. Averill’s Sharper Uniforms

Averill’s Sharper Uniforms was founded by Averill Bromfield in 2003. Averill’s sells everything from restaurant uniforms to country club attire, hotel uniforms, and more. They offer a wide selection of blouses, vests, and jackets. Averill’s also features a custom logo option. Customers can choose from embroidery, screen printing, and heat seal transfer. Averill’s been in the business for over 20 years now and provides stellar customer service.

11. Stitch Logo

Stitch Logo helps restaurants by providing them with one of the largest selections of customized apparel available today. Stitch Logo has an extensive product line, showing the latest in fashion and quality. They have several options to choose from featuring:

• Bistro aprons

• Chef coats

• Chef pants

• Cook shirts

• Server long sleeves

and much more!

12. High End Uniforms

High End Uniforms is a family business that takes the word to heart. From long standing relationships with their vendors to their stellar customer service, this company is founded and sustained on the principles of trust, support, and mutual respect. High End offers a wide selection of standard restaurant uniforms. They also offer customization and embellishment options for those restaurants that want to add an extra special touch.

Regardless of whether your style is buttoned –up or dressed-down, this brand understands that presentation is everything. High End’s comprehensive know-how of the foodservice industry, of fabric wear and tear, washability, and general uniform maintenance means they create products built for comfort and designed to last.

13. Ambassador Uniform

Ambassador Uniform is a manufacturer and wholesale distributor. They’re a one-stop-shop for all things restaurant uniform related. Whether you run a high-end eatery or a quality quick food joint, this brand will provide you with excellent service. Ambassador Uniform works with you to identify the specific nature of your business. There is no segment of the food and beverage industry that they don’t satisfy. Ambassador Uniform tailors to all manner of roles within a busy restaurant, including hosts, chefs, and waitstaff.

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14. UniformsInStock.com

UniformsInStock.com focuses on selecting styles that are always available for quick shipping throughout the year. They have uniforms for all industries, including hospitality. UniformsInStock.com is based in Trenton, New Jersey, and focuses on being hassle-free and easy to do business with. They have a large plethora of options to choose from and pride themselves on their quality.

15. Image Connection

Last but not least, we have Image Connection. This brand has been providing restaurant uniforms for affordable prices since 1999. They have every color and option available and even offer custom options. You can get your logo printed on your restaurant uniforms through embroidery, screen printing, heat transfers, and more. Contact Image Connection today for affordable restaurant apparel.

How to design a restaurant uniform

Still need some design tips or inspo for your uniforms? Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing your restaurant uniform. 

Design for your concept 

Make sure that your design aligns with the context of your restaurant. For example, a cafe might keep it casual with a t-shirt or hat with the logo. A fine dining establishment would want the design to reflect the upscale atmosphere – stick  to darker or more neutral colors, and higher-end materials.

Keep comfort in mind 

Restaurant server uniforms should be functional and never hinder an employee's job responsibilities. Keep materials light, breathable, and unrestrictive. Serving takes a lot of quick movements and agility, so comfort is essential.

Stick to cotton and other breathable materials, offering both long and short-sleeve options, and adjusting for the summer and winter months. And consider the ease of laundering, too: You don’t want your servers to dry clean their workwear; the restaurant industry is far too hands-on for that!

Stick to your brand 

Employee's uniforms are a part of your overall brand, so make sure to integrate your brand into the uniform's style. Think about customizing with your logo, sticking to a unique color palette, or even making custom uniforms unique to your concept.

Start designing! 

Restaurant staff uniforms can be as simple or complex as you want. 

Keep the needs of your business and staff in mind, and you'll be able to create a uniform or dress code that works for you.

Ready for more server content? Check out our free Server Training Checklist to help streamline your employee training process and ensure that your new servers get off to a great start.