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Food and beverage attendant vs food runner

The differences between food and beverage attendants and food runners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food and beverage attendant has an average salary of $25,569, which is higher than the $25,536 average annual salary of a food runner.

The top three skills for a food and beverage attendant include cleanliness, food handling and culinary. The most important skills for a food runner are cleanliness, wine, and culinary.

Food and beverage attendant vs food runner overview

Food And Beverage AttendantFood Runner
Yearly salary$25,569$25,536
Hourly rate$12.29$12.28
Growth rate10%14%
Number of jobs203,747240,853
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age2823
Years of experience--

What does a food and beverage attendant do?

Going to a restaurant to meet a smiling face is one of the world's greatest delights. When visiting a restaurant, the first smiling face that greets you is often that of a food and beverage attendant. Naturally, the role of a food and beverage attendant involves more than just smiling. They seat customers comfortably, address any complaints, and take customer orders. Their primary role is simply to keep restaurant customers satisfied.

What does a food runner do?

Food Runners are responsible for assisting waitstaff on serving customers at a restaurant or similar establishment. Among their duties include maintaining cleanliness in particular areas, setting tables, refilling drinks, assisting customers with everything that they need, and coordinating with the workforce in and out of the kitchen. Furthermore, Food Runners need to ensure that all deliveries are accurate according to what is ordered by a customer. It is essential to stay presentable and helpful at all times as the main priority is customer satisfaction.

Food and beverage attendant vs food runner salary

Food and beverage attendants and food runners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food And Beverage AttendantFood Runner
Average salary$25,569$25,536
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $32,000Between $18,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CityHighland, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVermont
Best paying companyTargetUniversity of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industryGovernmentHospitality

Differences between food and beverage attendant and food runner education

There are a few differences between a food and beverage attendant and a food runner in terms of educational background:

Food And Beverage AttendantFood Runner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food and beverage attendant vs food runner demographics

Here are the differences between food and beverage attendants' and food runners' demographics:

Food And Beverage AttendantFood Runner
Average age2823
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 9.1% White, 51.1% 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 Percentage6%8%

Differences between food and beverage attendant and food runner duties and responsibilities

Food and beverage attendant example responsibilities.

  • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
  • Operate POS terminals to input customer orders, swipe credit cards and enter amounts receive.
  • Place plates, spoons, and bowls on the bar.
  • Keep the buffet stock with food, plates, and spoons.
  • Act as main bartender during schedule bartending shifts.
  • Wait tables, checking customer preferences and upselling specials.
  • Show more

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

Food and beverage attendant vs food runner skills

Common food and beverage attendant skills
  • Cleanliness, 21%
  • Food Handling, 12%
  • Culinary, 10%
  • Guest Service, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Wine, 5%
Common food runner skills
  • Cleanliness, 20%
  • Wine, 9%
  • Culinary, 7%
  • Food Orders, 6%
  • Fine Dining, 5%
  • Food Handling, 5%

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