I'm having a hard time keeping food on the counters where others seem to..

Have you tried ordering 5 of the same thing and then when they are done 5 more of the same thing etc? I find that if you close your shop (by blocking the door) then when you open it everything goes quickly. BTW I am on level 42 and that's what I do . . . I hope it helps

Increase the size of your shop, then after you've done that, go into edit mode and move a chair or a plant in front of the door. This will keep costumers from coming in, and you won't lose their happiness. Then just make food that has a lot of servings, and make sure you have a lot of places to set the food down.

I'm only level 19 but sometimes I have to close my shop and let stuff cook till I feel ready. Also since no matter how much you make of one food it only needs one counter, they will move them to one after you add something different. Sometimes I set all three ovens to one item, scallops only half hour, knowing I don't need three counters.
Hopefully helped, add me: AriadrA
Oh, to close shop: just go to design and move something in front of the door and then move it back. Some don't like closing, it keeps your heart up and gives the chance to put thousands of one thing on each counter.

I have learned a trick!Just put the hostess stand in front of the door,make a lot of food,remove it,and there you go.If running low do the exact same thing again.