Restaurant and hospitality uniforms serve a dual purpose: they make your staff identifiable to guests and they represent your brand every time someone walks through the door. Here's how to get the right shirts for your front-of-house team.
Front-of-house vs back-of-house
The uniform needs are different depending on where your staff works:
- Front-of-house (servers, hosts, bartenders): Presentation matters most. An embroidered polo or a clean branded t-shirt in your restaurant's colors makes the right impression on guests.
- Back-of-house (kitchen staff): Durability and comfort matter most. A heavier cotton t-shirt that can handle heat, grease, and repeated washing is the practical choice.
- Management and supervisors: A step up from the floor staff uniform. Embroidered polos or button-downs signal authority without being formal.
Fabric for restaurant work
Restaurant shifts are long and physical. Here's what holds up:
- 50/50 blend: Moisture-wicking properties help in a hot kitchen or a busy floor. Holds its shape better than pure cotton through commercial washing.
- Heavy cotton: Great for kitchen staff — durable, opaque, and takes repeated washing well. Not the best for hot front-of-house work.
- Performance polyester: Best for staff in very hot environments. Wicks sweat, dries fast, but feels more athletic than a traditional uniform.
Read our full breakdown in cotton vs 50/50 blend.
Colors for restaurant uniforms
Choose colors that match your brand and hide the inevitable spills and stains of a busy shift. Black is the most forgiving and professional. Navy, dark green, and charcoal are also popular. Avoid white and light colors for anyone handling food.
Decoration: embroidery vs screen print
For front-of-house polos and nicer shirts — embroidery. It looks professional, holds up through washing, and doesn't peel or crack. For back-of-house t-shirts where cost is a factor — screen print or DTF. Read our full comparison in screen print vs embroidery.
How many shirts per employee
Restaurant staff typically need 3-4 shirts minimum — enough to cover a full week of shifts with rotation for washing. For employees working double shifts or multiple days in a row without a break, 5 shirts is safer. See our guide on how many work shirts to order per employee.
Reordering for a growing team
Restaurant staff turnover is real. Set up a simple reorder process — keep your shirt spec documented (style, color, logo placement) so adding 2-3 shirts for a new hire is a quick call, not a full project. Read our guide on how to order company uniforms for a scalable approach.
💡 Order a few extra shirts in your most common sizes and keep them on hand. New hire starts Monday? You can outfit them immediately instead of waiting on a new order.
Ready to outfit your team? Call 855-TSHIRT-5 or request a quote online.