OPT Server Jobs
Server jobs on OPT are available at restaurants, hotels, and catering companies that routinely hire international students. Most server roles are hourly with tip income, so confirm your employer can provide proper OPT employment verification documentation. STEM OPT extensions don't apply to this field.
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INTRODUCTION
Dave & Buster’s is different from everywhere else. No two days are ever the same. Time will fly by serving hundreds of people with flexible schedules you can accommodate school or other jobs. Plus, your co-workers are awesome!
Dave & Buster’s offers an attractive benefits package for many positions, including medical, dental, vision, 401K, FREE GAMES and more.
POSITION SNAPSHOT: Ensures Guests have an unparalleled experience by providing fast, friendly service and being attentive to Guests’ needs.
NITTY GRITTY DETAILS:
- Deliver an unparalleled Guest experience through the best combination of food, drinks and games in an ideal environment for celebrating all out fun.
- Keeps immediate supervisor promptly and fully informed of all problems or unusual matters of significance. Takes prompt corrective action where necessary or suggests alternative courses of action.
- Creates a warm, fun atmosphere for Guests and Team Members.
- Adheres to company’s sanitation procedures.
- Maintains responsibility for personal bank and ensures all financial transactions are accurate by operating credit card machines correctly, calculating and returning appropriate change and maintaining adequate cash and coin for making change.
- Follows alcohol awareness procedures for preventing intoxication and dealing with intoxicated Guests.
- Assesses Guest demeanor and identifies when behavior should be called to the attention of a Manager.
- Greets newly seated Guests in a friendly and timely manner.
- Accurately takes Guests’ food and drink orders.
- Maintains a thorough understanding of all menu items and is able to answer questions regarding food and drink items and their preparation.
- Enters orders into Micros quickly and in proper sequence, using appropriate modifications and charges.
- Ensures food is properly garnished and delivers trays to designated table server’s own section, as well as other sections in the restaurant, as needed.
- Works quickly and efficiently adhering to “Full hands in, Full hands out” philosophy.
- Assists in party set up and breakdown. Busses and resets tables as needed.
- Assists other Team Members as needed or as business dictates.
- Responsible for all sales on personal Micros keys and completing station side work at the beginning and end of their shift.
- Participates in all incentives and contests, driving sales and promoting the brand.
- Follows portion guidelines to ensure cost control, while maximizing the Guest experience.
- Ensures ongoing Guest satisfaction by checking back after delivery of food, maintaining drink levels, removing clutter, pre-bussing as necessary, and responding to Guest needs in a timely manner.
- Keeps station clean, sets up and takes down station tables appropriately.
- Maintains a favorable working relationship with all other company Team Members to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate and help keep high morale, productivity and efficiency/effectiveness.
- Must be skilled in effectively communicating with Guests in order to generate enthusiasm about the D&B experience.
- Must demonstrate ability to operate Micros, make changes, accurately conduct credit card transactions, and account of all monies at the end of each shift.
- Must be able to read and communicate in English.
- Listen to hear Guests’ orders and needs, and then communicate with Guests verbally and with other Team Members verbally via Micros system.
- Dressed in proper dress code requirements, looking neat, clean and professional at all times.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
Requirements
STUFF OUR ATTORNEYS MAKE US WRITE: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the Team Member will regularly be required to:
- Work days, nights and/or weekends as required.
- Work in noisy, fast paced environment with distracting conditions.
- Read and write handwritten notes.
- Lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
- Move about facility and stand for long periods of time.
- Walk or stand 100% of shift.
- Reach, bend and stoop frequently.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.
As an equal opportunity employer, Dave & Buster’s is dedicated to our policy of nondiscrimination in all aspects of employment, and we comply with all Federal, State and Local laws regarding nondiscrimination.
Salary Range: 16.9 - 16.9
We are an equal opportunity employer and participate in E-Verify in states where required.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Server
Confirm employer OPT compliance upfront
Before accepting any server position, ask whether the employer can provide a formal offer letter listing your job title, hours, and start date. Many small restaurants aren't familiar with OPT paperwork requirements, so clarifying early prevents problems later.
Track your hours carefully
OPT requires you to work at least 20 hours per week to maintain valid status. Restaurant schedules fluctuate, so monitor your weekly hours closely and communicate with your manager if you're consistently being scheduled below that threshold.
Get employment verification in writing
Your DSO needs documentation confirming your employer name, job title, and hours worked. Request a formal letter or signed employment verification form from your restaurant's manager or HR contact before your OPT start date to avoid reporting delays.
Report employer changes to your DSO immediately
Switching restaurants or catering employers requires updating your employment record in SEVP within 10 days. Failing to report a job change, even temporarily, puts your OPT authorization at risk regardless of how quickly you find new work.
Understand how tip income affects your tax obligations
Server income includes both wages and tips, both of which are taxable. As an F-1 student, you're typically a nonresident alien for tax purposes, so consult IRS Publication 519 and consider whether your country has a U.S. tax treaty.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly employers
Not every restaurant or hospitality employer understands OPT authorization requirements. Migrate Mate filters server job listings to surface employers already open to hiring international students, saving you from repeated rejections based on work authorization status.
Server OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a server on OPT?
Yes, you can work as a server on OPT as long as the position is related to your field of study. This is an important distinction: OPT requires your job to be directly tied to the major listed on your I-20. If your degree is in hospitality, food service management, or a related field, a server role qualifies. A server job won't qualify OPT for an unrelated degree like computer science.
Does a server job qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No, server roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. STEM OPT is limited to graduates of qualifying STEM degree programs working in occupations directly tied to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Hospitality and food service roles are not on the STEM designated degree program list, so standard OPT's 12-month limit applies.
What documentation does my restaurant employer need to hire me on OPT?
Your employer needs your EAD card, which serves as proof of work authorization, along with your passport and any standard I-9 documentation. Many smaller restaurants aren't familiar with OPT specifically, so it helps to explain that your EAD is a federal work authorization card issued by USCIS. You'll also need a formal offer letter from them for your DSO to update your SEVP record.
How do I find server jobs open to OPT students?
Most general job listings don't filter by work authorization type, making it time-consuming to identify which employers are open to OPT candidates. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces hospitality and food service roles from employers already familiar with international student hiring. Browsing there is significantly more efficient than applying broadly and filtering rejections manually.
What happens to my OPT if my restaurant cuts my hours below 20 per week?
If your scheduled hours consistently fall below 20 per week, you risk falling out of compliance with OPT's minimum employment requirement. Occasional slow weeks aren't automatically a violation, but a sustained pattern can be. Contact your DSO if your hours drop significantly. You may need to find a second qualifying employer to maintain your required weekly hours and protect your status.