About David Hayden

David Hayden was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri.  He took his first serving job in 1996.  Since that time, he has worked for over a dozen different restaurant companies.  He has held both hourly and salaried positions at independent and corporate restaurants.  He has waited on over 100,000 guests and trained hundreds of servers.  In 2010, he was the winner of the Reader’s Choice Award as the Best Server in Kansas City by the local weekly newspaper.

In 2007, David set out to determine exactly what skills and techniques separate the average server from the exceptional server.  The findings of this research became the focus of his first book, Tips2: Tips for Improving Your Tips.   This work expanded into examining other parts of the hospitality industry.  In 2010, David launched The Hospitality Formula Network, a series of sites designed to address a variety of topics related to the restaurant industry.

David Hayden continues to work in the hospitality industry.  When not working at restaurants, or writing about them, he enjoys spending time with friends and family.  He is an avid theme park enthusiast and history buff.  David resides in Kansas City, Missouri.

What others have said about David Hayden and The Hospitality Formula Network:

“60 Best Blogs in the Restaurant Industry: 3) Tips for Tips… 8) The Manager’s Office… 24) Restaurant Laughs… 34) The Hospitality Formula.” (All four are written by David Hayden) -www.bschool.com

“Reader’s Choice 2010: Best Server”-Pitch Weekly “Best of 2010 Awards”

 “This is stuff that people will find interesting.  No attitude.  Just a sincere desire to see that people get good service when they dine out.” -Dave Scott “The Dave Scott Show”

“I recently came upon “Tips For Tips”, an excellent site by a server who’s obviously been around the block a time or two.  The author has a fairly magnanimous philosophy when it comes to dealing with guests and doing our jobs; also, some truly useful facts and advice, which is rare in a lot of posts about hospitality.” -“Sorry, not my table”

“Kansas City’s savviest self-promoting waiter” -Charles Ferruzza “Fat City Blog”

“David Hayden’s truly perceptive advice about being an effective server stems from many years of experience and a keen understanding about the complexities inherent in this line of work. His recommendations and insight align with the kinds of essential skills I teach in my college-level communication courses. The best part is that these strategies are easily implemented, with the potential for immediate results.”-Dr. Stefne Lenzmeier Broz, Professor of Communication

“a great go-to inspirational and instructional resource for everyone in the industry, especially waiters.”-“So You Want To Be A Waiter”