Require servers to arrive at their tables within the first minute guests are seated.
Take drink orders immediately, and bring out water promptly.
Ask guests if they’ve dined at the restaurant before. If not, go over the entire menu. If they have, then simply ask if they need a refresher of the menu or if they know what they want. Then, you can simply go over the specials.
If a large party is seated, consider having more than one server assigned to the table.
Clear off plates as guests finish their meals rather than waiting until they've left.
Assign more than one busboy per table to get the remaining dishes cleared quickly.
Keep pre-rolled silverware and clean dishes ready, so tables can be reset quickly.
Drop the check off before customers have to ask for it. By placing the check on the table as guests are finishing up their dessert, they won’t have to wait and flag you down when they’re ready.
If customers continue to stick around long after their check has been paid, and there’s a long line of waiting customers, it is okay to politely ask them to continue their conversations at the bar, so you can seat another party with reservations.