Careers in the fast food restaurant industry include counter staff, food preparation specialists, maintenance personnel, and management. Your duties and responsibilities in fast food or take out restaurants depend on the type of position you have. A cook works to prepare the food according to restaurant recipes and guidelines. Counter staff interacts with customers and takes each customer’s order and payment. Managers oversee operations during a shift or for the entire store. Senior managers may direct restaurant operations for a city, state, or region.