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Fast food server vs food runner

The differences between fast food servers and food runners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fast food server has an average salary of $30,266, which is higher than the $25,536 average annual salary of a food runner.

The top three skills for a fast food server include cleanliness, food orders and food handling. The most important skills for a food runner are cleanliness, wine, and culinary.

Fast food server vs food runner overview

Fast Food ServerFood Runner
Yearly salary$30,266$25,536
Hourly rate$14.55$12.28
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs182,816240,853
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

Fast food server vs food runner salary

Fast food servers and food runners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fast Food ServerFood Runner
Average salary$30,266$25,536
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $38,000Between $18,000 And $34,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Vermont
Best paying company-University of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between fast food server and food runner education

There are a few differences between a fast food server and a food runner in terms of educational background:

Fast Food ServerFood Runner
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 62%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Fast food server vs food runner demographics

Here are the differences between fast food servers' and food runners' demographics:

Fast Food ServerFood Runner
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 45.4% Female, 54.6%Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between fast food server and food runner duties and responsibilities

Fast food server example responsibilities.

  • Describe menu items and daily specials in detail and provide recommendations including wine pairing options.
  • Preform equipment maintenance to ensure proper tolerances for precise mowing conditions.

Food runner example responsibilities.

  • Manage labor and design of numerous weddings, banquets, buffets, and the restaurant floor.
  • Manage event reservations and party requests, inform customers about upcoming events and specials.
  • Provide excellent customer service to guests by describing and suggesting culinary options
  • Greet customers and prepare drinks (tea, smoothies).
  • Expedite the kitchen to ensure food leaves fast and accurately.
  • Demonstrate strong computational skills for tendering receipt of payments from clients.
  • Show more

Fast food server vs food runner skills

Common fast food server skills
  • Cleanliness, 33%
  • Food Orders, 24%
  • Food Handling, 9%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Drive-Thru, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 5%
Common food runner skills
  • Cleanliness, 20%
  • Wine, 9%
  • Culinary, 7%
  • Food Orders, 6%
  • Fine Dining, 5%
  • Food Handling, 5%

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