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Food runner/busser vs crew member

The differences between food runner/bussers and crew members can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a crew member has an average salary of $28,946, which is higher than the $28,577 average annual salary of a food runner/busser.

The top three skills for a food runner/busser include cleanliness, wine and excellent guest. The most important skills for a crew member are cleanliness, basic math, and english language.

Food runner/busser vs crew member overview

Food Runner/BusserCrew Member
Yearly salary$28,577$28,946
Hourly rate$13.74$13.92
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs124,680239,413
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

What does a food runner/busser do?

A food runner or busser is an employee who works at a restaurant to provide quality food services to customers and patrons. Food runners or bussers perform food preparation and ensure that foods are delivered promptly to the appropriate customers' tables. In case the bar server is busy, food runners or bussers may take the drink orders of customers at the bar counter. They also make sure that tables are bussed, cleaned, and set up for the next paying customers.

What does a crew member do?

Crew members assist in the overall daily operations of a business, including restaurants, hotels, resorts, and other industries needing a large workforce. Crew members' duties include attending on a customer's needs, processing payments, taking orders, and handling sanitation services. Crew members should have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially for the fast-paced operations. They must also adhere to the safety standards and procedures as required by the business. Crew members should also report incidents and escalate concerns from the clients to the management as needed.

Food runner/busser vs crew member salary

Food runner/bussers and crew members have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food Runner/BusserCrew Member
Average salary$28,577$28,946
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $36,000Between $22,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireAlaska
Best paying companyThe Culinary Institute of AmericaUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHospitalityRetail

Differences between food runner/busser and crew member education

There are a few differences between a food runner/busser and a crew member in terms of educational background:

Food Runner/BusserCrew Member
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food runner/busser vs crew member demographics

Here are the differences between food runner/bussers' and crew members' demographics:

Food Runner/BusserCrew Member
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 75.4% Female, 24.6%Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6%
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 food runner/busser and crew member duties and responsibilities

Food runner/busser example responsibilities.

  • Manage event reservations and party requests, inform customers about upcoming events and specials.
  • Educate and experience in fine dining experience, professional etiquette and wine knowledge
  • Operate a POS system, highly experience with cash handling methods.
  • Give assistance to clients at POS to ensure a pleasant shopping experience.
  • Note allergies and special accommodations on receipts to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
  • Collaborate closely alongside coworkers to ensure customer satisfaction and overall cleanliness of the establishment.
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Crew member example responsibilities.

  • Manage food preparation, maintain cleanliness and punctuality while effectively support customers in daily transactions with suggestive selling methods.
  • Dig and fill holes, using shovels and rakes.
  • Cashier, server, greeter, order taker, sandwich maker, computer skil, math skil, customer service
  • Demonstrate excellent customer service in dealing with concerns and special food orders which include allergies and other customer wishes.
  • Cashier experience, service and enter orders into POS system; conduct inventory; and perform cash handling and food handling.
  • Use POS system to record order, compute bill, collect payments and make change while following all cash handling procedures.
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Food runner/busser vs crew member skills

Common food runner/busser skills
  • Cleanliness, 14%
  • Wine, 13%
  • Excellent Guest, 8%
  • Culinary, 6%
  • Water Glasses, 6%
  • Food Delivery, 5%
Common crew member skills
  • Cleanliness, 19%
  • Basic Math, 13%
  • English Language, 10%
  • Excellent Guest, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 7%
  • Food Products, 5%

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