What is it called when staff members clean tables after guests depart?

Bussing refers specifically to the process where staff members clean tables after guests have left, ensuring that the dining area remains tidy and ready for the next customers. This task is essential for maintaining a pleasant dining environment, as it involves removing used dishes, utensils, and any trash left behind. Moreover, bussing can also include wiping down surfaces to keep hygiene standards high.

While clearing and resetting are related concepts, they do not accurately capture the full scope of what bussing entails. Clearing generally refers to the act of removing dishes and items from a table, and resetting refers to arranging the table with clean items for the next guests. Service can encompass a broader range of customer interactions but does not specifically denote the cleaning process after guests depart. Thus, bussing is the most precise term for the task of cleaning tables in a quick-serve restaurant context.