Fast Food and Food Court Crew Course (US) 2026
This course is for counter, drive-thru, kitchen and food court crew in the United States. It covers taking orders, food safety under the FDA Food Code as states adopt it, shared food court spaces, rush periods, hot equipment, difficult customers and federal teen work rules. Some states, such as California, Texas, Illinois and Washington, require a food handler card or training for this job; this course is background knowledge only and does not replace it. Each of the five topics has a lesson and an untimed quiz, followed by a timed 30-question final assessment; score 80% or more to earn a Certificate of Completion.
Quick answer
This free course has about 150 minutes of lessons, 5 untimed topic quizzes (80 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 30 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 14, 2026.
What you will learn
- Take, repeat back and hand off counter, drive-thru and delivery orders accurately
- Answer calorie and nutrition questions using FDA menu labeling rules and pass allergy questions to the person in charge
- Follow Food Code basics: handwashing, no bare-hand contact, illness reporting, and holding, reheating and cooling temperatures
- Keep shared food court spaces clean and sanitized and handle trash, sharps and food waste safely
- Welcome customers with service animals under the ADA
- Work safely during rushes and apply federal teen hour and equipment rules
- Use fryers safely, respond to a grease fire, calm upset customers and report hazards using OSHA rights
Score 80% or more to download your certificate.
Your study plan
Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.
- Read the lessons5 lessons, about 150 min
- Topic quiz 1: Counter, drive-thru and delivery orders16 questions
- Topic quiz 2: Food safety on the line16 questions
- Topic quiz 3: Food courts and shared spaces16 questions
- Topic quiz 4: Rush hour, stations and teamwork16 questions
- Topic quiz 5: Hot equipment and tough customers16 questions
- Final exam30 questions, 40 min · Score 80% or more
Topic quiz 1: Counter, drive-thru and delivery orders
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Question 1 of 16
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Answer: B. Getting the order right, then being quick
A fast order that is wrong has to be remade, which is slower for everyone. Accuracy comes first, then speed.
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Question 2 of 16
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Answer: B. So they can catch mistakes before the food is made
Repeating the order lets the customer correct errors before food is cooked and bagged.
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Question 3 of 16
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Answer: C. Smile and ask them to tell you what they would like
You cannot know their usual, so ask politely. Guessing leads to wrong orders.
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Question 4 of 16
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Answer: A. "Would you like to add a drink? It's cheaper as a combo." (said only when that is true)
Suggest once, give a real reason, and let the customer decide. Never add items without asking or claim savings that are not real.
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Question 5 of 16
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Answer: C. Chains with 20 or more locations that use the same name and offer substantially the same menu
FDA menu labeling applies to restaurants and similar retail food establishments in chains of 20 or more locations operating under the same name with substantially the same menu items.
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Question 6 of 16
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Answer: D. Written nutrition information, including sodium, on request
Covered chains must have written nutrition information available on request, including sodium, fat, sugars, fiber and protein.
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Question 7 of 16
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Answer: C. That 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary
FDA requires a daily-intake statement: 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary.
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Question 8 of 16
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Answer: B. Say you will check, and get the manager or person in charge
Never guess about allergens. Get the person in charge, who can check the ingredient information.
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Question 9 of 16
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Answer: C. Cause hearing loss that is permanent once it happens
OSHA notes that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable but permanent once you have it, so fit headsets properly and keep the volume reasonable.
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Question 10 of 16
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Answer: C. To reduce breathing car exhaust, mainly carbon monoxide
Car exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which can cause headaches, tiredness and worse. Keeping the window closed limits exposure.
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Question 11 of 16
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Answer: C. Avoid overreaching; walk the order out if your store allows it
OSHA warns that leaning and reaching out the window causes strains. Walk the order out rather than overreach, following store policy.
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Question 12 of 16
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Answer: A. Keep the register closed when you are not using it
OSHA's restaurant guidance says to keep the register closed when not in use and not to count cash in front of customers.
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Question 13 of 16
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Answer: B. Hold the order and ask them to check the app; do not hand it over until it matches
Match the name or order code before handing over a delivery order, so the right food reaches the right customer.
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Question 14 of 16
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Answer: B. Keep the back door locked except for deliveries and use the window or drop box
OSHA advises keeping back doors locked except when receiving deliveries and using drop boxes, especially late at night.
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Question 15 of 16
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Answer: D. Missing small items are a common cause of complaints and remakes
Small extras are easy to forget. A quick check against the receipt prevents unhappy customers, especially with delivery orders.
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Question 16 of 16
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Answer: A. Apologize, remake the item correctly and thank them for waiting
Fix the mistake, keep it short and friendly, and check the remake against the order.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- The FDA Food Code is a model code. States and local health departments adopt it to write their own rules, and the most recent full edition is the 2026 Food Code.
- California food handlers must get a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire; cards are valid for three years.
- Texas requires many food service employees to complete an accredited food handler training course within 60 days of getting a job.
- Washington food workers need a food worker card; the first card is valid for 2 years and renewal cards for 3 years.
- Under federal law, 14- and 15-year-olds may work no more than 3 hours on a school day and only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day).
- FDA lists nine major food allergens; sesame became the ninth under the FASTER Act of 2021.
- Restaurants in chains of 20 or more locations must post calories on menus and menu boards and provide written nutrition information on request.
- Under the ADA, businesses that prepare or sell food generally must allow service animals in public areas even where health codes ban animals.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official food handler card or certificate?
No. Passing the final assessment gives you a PassEveryTest Certificate of Completion, which shows you finished this general skills course. It is not a food handler card, an accredited qualification, or an employer or government certification.
Do I need a food handler card to work in fast food?
It depends on your state and sometimes your county. For example, California requires a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire, Texas requires accredited food handler training within 60 days, and Washington requires a food worker card. If your state requires one, you must get it from an approved provider; this course does not replace it.
Does this course teach my state's food code?
It teaches the main ideas of the FDA Food Code, which states and local health departments adopt in their own way. Details such as some cooking temperatures can differ, so always follow your local health department's rules and your employer's procedures.
Can I work in fast food at 14 or 15?
Federal law allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work in restaurants with limits on hours and tasks, such as no more than 3 hours on a school day and no work after 7 p.m. during the school year. Your state may have stricter rules, and the stricter rule applies.
How does the final assessment work?
It has 30 questions drawn at random from the course question bank, with a 40-minute time limit. You need 80% to pass, and each attempt gives you a new mix of questions.
Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?
No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.
Sources
- FDA: FDA Food Code
- FDA: Food Code 2026
- FDA: Summary of changes in the 2026 FDA Food Code
- FDA: Summary of changes in the 2022 FDA Food Code
- FDA: Adoption of the FDA Food Code by state and territorial agencies
- FDA: Food allergies
- FDA: Employee Health and Personal Hygiene Handbook
- FDA: Menu labeling requirements
- Washington State Department of Health: Food worker card
- Washington State Food Worker Manual
- Fresno County (California): California Food Handler Card
- Texas DSHS: Food handlers licensing
- Illinois Department of Public Health: Food handler training
- U.S. Department of Labor: Fact Sheet #2A, child labor rules for restaurants and quick-service establishments
- U.S. Department of Labor: State child labor laws
- U.S. Department of Labor: Breaks and meal periods
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum meal period requirements under state law
- OSHA: Young Worker Safety in Restaurants eTool
- OSHA: Young Worker Safety in Restaurants, drive-thru
- OSHA: Young Worker Safety in Restaurants, cooking
- OSHA: Young Worker Safety in Restaurants, serving
- OSHA: Young Worker Safety in Restaurants, clean-up
- OSHA: Workplace violence
- OSHA: Workers' rights
- ADA.gov: ADA requirements, service animals
- EPA: Wasted Food Scale