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Food runner/busser vs server and hostess

The differences between food runner/bussers and server and hostesses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food runner/busser has an average salary of $28,577, which is higher than the $28,020 average annual salary of a server and hostess.

The top three skills for a food runner/busser include cleanliness, wine and excellent guest. The most important skills for a server and hostess are POS, food preparation, and food orders.

Food runner/busser vs server and hostess overview

Food Runner/BusserServer And Hostess
Yearly salary$28,577$28,020
Hourly rate$13.74$13.47
Growth rate14%10%
Number of jobs124,68097,109
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 39%
Average age2328
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 server and hostess do?

A server and hostess is an employee who plays the dual role of both a hostess and a server. As implied by this, a server and hostess is in-charge of welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, ensuring that the guests' tables are ready before leading them to their assigned tables, handing over the menu, and waiting for the guests to finalize their order. Once the guests are ready to order, the server and hostess takes on the server role by bringing the guests' order to the kitchen, waiting for the food to be ready, and bringing the food to the guests' table.

Food runner/busser vs server and hostess salary

Food runner/bussers and server and hostesses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food Runner/BusserServer And Hostess
Average salary$28,577$28,020
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $36,000Between $21,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABinghamton, NY
Highest paying stateNew HampshireNew York
Best paying companyThe Culinary Institute of AmericaBlue Dolphin Energy
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between food runner/busser and server and hostess education

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

Food Runner/BusserServer And Hostess
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food runner/busser vs server and hostess demographics

Here are the differences between food runner/bussers' and server and hostesses' demographics:

Food Runner/BusserServer And Hostess
Average age2328
Gender ratioMale, 75.4% Female, 24.6%Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between food runner/busser and server and hostess 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.
  • Show more

Server and hostess example responsibilities.

  • Assist guests in booking reservations and manage guest history data using OpenTable reservation system.
  • Provide quality customer service, process customer transactions utilizing proprietary POS system, skillfully handle cash and credit card transactions.
  • Perform bartending duties during busy events or whenever require.
  • Coordinate with kitchen managerial staff using POS systems to ensure timely and accurate order preparation.
  • Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
  • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.

Food runner/busser vs server and hostess skills

Common food runner/busser skills
  • Cleanliness, 14%
  • Wine, 13%
  • Excellent Guest, 8%
  • Culinary, 6%
  • Water Glasses, 6%
  • Food Delivery, 5%
Common server and hostess skills
  • POS, 11%
  • Food Preparation, 10%
  • Food Orders, 9%
  • Customer Orders, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Drink Orders, 5%

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