Class Code 9080
Restaurants - Full Service
Class Code 9080 covers full‑service restaurants in California — establishments with on‑premises dining, table service, and in‑house food preparation. The WCIRB approved pure premium rate for this class, effective September 1, 2026, is $2.784 per $100 of payroll, which reflects the baseline expected cost of work‑related injuries for these operations.
What Class Code 9080 Covers
This classification applies to full‑service restaurants where food is prepared on the premises and served to seated customers by servers or waitstaff. Typical operations include dining rooms, bars with table service, full kitchens with line cooks and prep cooks, dishwashing areas, banquet and catering service performed on the premises, and front‑of‑house roles such as hosts and bussers. The class generally includes service of alcoholic beverages and associated bar work performed as part of the restaurant operation. It does not normally include limited‑service/takeout‑only establishments, food trucks, or drivers whose payroll should be segregated into the appropriate driver or delivery class codes.
Who It Applies To
- Sit‑down full‑service restaurants and casual dining chains
- Fine dining and white‑tablecloth establishments with in‑house kitchen staff
- Hotel or resort restaurants with on‑premises dining and banquet service
- Full‑service bars and pubs where bartenders also perform server duties
- On‑site banquet/catering staff who prepare and serve food at the restaurant
Common Job Duties
- Servers and waitstaff seating guests, taking orders, serving food and drinks, and handling payments
- Bartenders preparing drinks, operating bar equipment, and serving customers
- Line cooks and chefs cooking on grills, fryers, stovetops, and ovens
- Prep cooks and food handlers chopping, mixing, and staging ingredients
- Dishwashers operating high‑temperature washers, handling heavy racks and soiled dishes
- Bussers and hosts clearing and resetting tables, transporting trays, and cleaning dining areas
- Managers performing supervisory tasks, scheduling, cash handling, and incident response
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.784 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $2.784 per $100 of payroll represents the estimated cost of medical and indemnity losses per $100 of wages for Class 9080. Insurers use the pure premium as the base for calculating an employer's workers' comp premium; the final amount is adjusted by experience modification, insurer expense loads, premium discounts, credits, and any specific deductibles or retrospective rating plans.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers operating full‑service restaurants must implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and comply with Hazard Communication requirements for cleaning chemicals and sanitizers. Employers should maintain hood and ventilation systems, fire suppression maintenance, and provide PPE and knife/heat safety training. Cal/OSHA requires reporting of serious work‑related injuries and hospitalizations and maintaining accurate injury and illness records.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 9080
A PEO like Key HR helps restaurants control workers' comp costs by ensuring correct payroll classification, implementing IIPP templates and job‑specific safety training, and managing claims and return‑to‑work programs to reduce indemnity durations. Key HR also provides coordinated loss prevention consulting, OSHA recordkeeping support, and access to aggregated purchasing power which can lower insurance administration costs for multiunit operators.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my restaurant belongs in Class Code 9080 or a different code?
Use 9080 for full‑service, dine‑in restaurants where food is prepared on premises and customers are served at tables; establishments that are primarily takeout, food trucks, or have drivers with substantial delivery payroll should be classified separately. If staff perform mixed duties, segregate payroll for drivers or janitorial contractors to the appropriate class codes and consult Key HR for a payroll audit.
Are bartenders, servers and dishwashers all included under 9080?
Yes — bartenders, servers, bussers, cooks and dishwashers working on‑site in a full‑service restaurant are typically included in 9080. However, employees performing non‑restaurant duties (e.g., corporate drivers or external vendors) should be reported under their own class codes to ensure accurate premium.
What practical steps reduce workers' comp claims and premiums for full‑service restaurants?
Implement a written IIPP, knife and hot‑oil safety training, mandatory slip‑resistant footwear or mats, regular hood and grease maintenance, ergonomic job redesign for dishroom tasks, early return‑to‑work/light‑duty programs, and prompt claims reporting and case management. A PEO can help standardize these programs and track metrics that improve your experience modification over time.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 9080
- Classification
- Restaurants - Full Service
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.784 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
Key HR provides pay-as-you-go workers' comp for California employers — no large deposits, no audits, better rates.
Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 9080?
Key HR provides California employers with pay-as-you-go workers' comp, HR compliance support, and payroll — all through one PEO partnership.