JOB REPORT / 35-3023 · 46 TASKS

Fast Food and Counter Workers.

Can AI do the work of Fast Food and Counter Workers?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Create signs to advertise store products or events
Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using…
Balance receipts and payments in cash registers

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Fast Food and Counter Workers work. It covers the 13 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

13 of 46 tasks reviewed

This job has 46 core tasks. We went through 13 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Fast Food and Counter Workers actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Create signs to advertise store products or events.
AI DOES
Drafts wording, suggests fonts and layouts, and generates design concepts
YOU DO
Match the sign's look and feel to your shop's personality and customers
TASK 02
Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.
AI DOES
Auto-totals bills, suggests upsells, and logs orders in digital POS systems
YOU DO
Read the customer's mood, clarify confusing orders, and handle cash hands-on
TASK 03
Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.
AI DOES
Checks totals, spots counting errors, and flags mismatches fast
YOU DO
Physically count bills and coins and close out the drawer yourself
TASK 04
Monitor and order supplies or food items, and restock as necessary to maintain inventory.
AI DOES
Tracks stock levels, spots patterns, and suggests reorder amounts
YOU DO
Walk the floor and judge what's actually needed
TASK 05SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Communicate with customers regarding orders, comments, and complaints.
AI DOES
Handles routine inquiries and order status updates
YOU DO
Resolve complex issues with empathy
About this analysis
45% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 06
Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.
AI DOES
Drafts training checklists, schedules, and employee guides
YOU DO
Show up in person to coach, correct, and motivate your team
TASK 07
Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.
AI DOES
Processes card payments and calculates change automatically through POS software
YOU DO
Stay present at the counter to handle cash and help customers in person
TASK 08
Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.
AI DOES
Powers menu kiosks or chat tools that answer basic questions about drinks
YOU DO
Read the customer's mood, taste, and vibe in real time to make a warm, personal suggestion
TASK 09
Provide customers with product details, such as coffee blend or preparation descriptions.
AI DOES
Supplies menu descriptions, flavor notes, and prep info on digital displays or apps
YOU DO
Read the customer's mood and answer follow-up questions face to face
TASK 10
Order, receive, or stock supplies or retail products.
AI DOES
Tracks inventory and suggests reorder times
YOU DO
Physically receive, inspect, and stock the actual supplies
TASK 11
Receive and process customer payments.
AI DOES
Powers the point-of-sale software that tracks totals and flags errors
YOU DO
Handle cash, read the moment, and solve payment problems face-to-face
TASK 12
Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders.
AI DOES
Powers some self-order kiosks and drive-through voice systems in limited settings
YOU DO
Read the customer's mood, handle special requests, and fix mix-ups on the spot
TASK 13SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare daily food items, and cook simple foods and beverages, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, or coffee, using proper safety precautions and sanitary measures.
AI DOES
Suggests recipes and cooking times
YOU DO
Taste, adjust, and ensure food safety
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Fast Food and Counter Workers
SOC code: 35-3023
Tasks reviewed: 13 of 46

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $31,200 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $36,270 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 3,854,050
Employed in Colorado: 82,010
Job outlook: +6.1% by 2034 · ~904,300 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Create signs to advertise store products or events.

Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.

Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.

Monitor and order supplies or food items, and restock as necessary to maintain inventory.

Communicate with customers regarding orders, comments, and complaints.

Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.

Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.

Describe menu items to customers, or suggest products that might appeal to them.

Provide customers with product details, such as coffee blend or preparation descriptions.

Order, receive, or stock supplies or retail products.

Receive and process customer payments.

Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders.

Prepare daily food items, and cook simple foods and beverages, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, or coffee, using proper safety precautions and sanitary measures.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.