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How to hire a food runner/busser

Food runner/busser hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring food runner/bussers in the United States:

  • There are currently 122,433 food runner/bussers in the US, as well as 124,680 job openings.
  • Food runner/bussers are in the highest demand in New York, NY, with 22 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a food runner/busser is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new food runner/busser to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a food runner/busser, step by step

To hire a food runner/busser, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a food runner/busser:

Here's a step-by-step food runner/busser hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a food runner/busser job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new food runner/busser
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what a food runner/busser does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the food runner/busser you need to hire. Certain food runner/busser roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a food runner/busser to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a food runner/busser that fits the bill.

    Here's a comparison of food runner/busser salaries for various roles:

    Type of Food Runner/BusserDescriptionHourly rate
    Food Runner/BusserFood and beverage serving and related workers perform a variety of customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties in restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating and drinking establishments.$10-17
    Crew MemberCrew 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... Show more$10-17
    Cashier/HostA cashier/host is responsible for facilitating the cash register processes and managing financial transactions. Cashier/hosts process reservations and online payments, respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, escalate high-level complaints, update customer's account information on the database, and perform various administrative and clerical tasks as needed... Show more$7-17
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Cleanliness
    • Wine
    • Excellent Guest
    • Culinary
    • Water Glasses
    • Food Delivery
    • Customer Service
    • Food Handling
    • Fine Dining
    • Food Orders
    • Exceptional Guest
    • Guest Satisfaction
    • Food Service
    • Bus Tables
    Check all skills
    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.
    More food runner/busser duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your food runner/busser job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A food runner/busser can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, food runner/bussers' average salary in florida is 37% less than in new hampshire.
    • Seniority. Entry-level food runner/bussers 39% less than senior-level food runner/bussers.
    • Certifications. A food runner/busser with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a food runner/busser's salary.

    Average food runner/busser salary

    $13.74hourly

    $28,577 yearly

    Entry-level food runner/busser salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 31, 2026

    Average food runner/busser salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$31,836$15
    2Pennsylvania$30,682$15
    3Oregon$30,069$14
    4California$29,837$14
    5Massachusetts$29,411$14
    6District of Columbia$28,493$14
    7Michigan$27,849$13
    8North Carolina$27,652$13
    9Maryland$26,478$13
    10Ohio$26,292$13
    11Arizona$25,902$12
    12Colorado$25,838$12
    13New York$25,627$12
    14Nevada$24,405$12
    15New Jersey$24,210$12
    16Utah$24,126$12
    17Texas$22,934$11
    18Illinois$22,216$11
    19Louisiana$21,532$10
    20South Carolina$21,333$10

    Average food runner/busser salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1The Culinary Institute of America$37,236$17.902
    2Scottsdale Insurance$37,125$17.85
    3HEI Hotels & Resorts$35,124$16.8945
    4Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants$34,923$16.7982
    5Hyatt Hotels$33,762$16.23156
    6Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts$33,755$16.2331
    7HUB International$33,661$16.18
    8Skokie Country Club$33,462$16.09
    9Suburban Golf Club$33,236$15.98
    10Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant$32,316$15.54
    11La Costa Glen$32,131$15.451
    12Gallagher$32,130$15.451
    13Saba Capital Management$31,759$15.27
    14Boqueria Restaurant$31,599$15.192
    15Carnivale$31,531$15.16
    16The Walt Disney Company$31,526$15.1610
    17Village Tavern$31,172$14.9928
    18Fairmont Schools$31,106$14.9518
    19Sahara$30,724$14.77
    20Sage Hospitality Group$30,662$14.7449
  4. Writing a food runner/busser job description

    A job description for a food runner/busser role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a food runner/busser job description:

    Food runner/busser job description example

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to continuously stand (100%) and walk (50%). Use hands for lifting and carrying (0-60 lbs.) including frequent reaching, grasping, pushing and pulling (0-60 lb.); and stooping and bending.

    Work Environment:

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Support the operation to deliver Superior Guest Service by performing various duties which may include: placing weekly food orders, transfers products from storage are to units.

    Essential Duties/Responsibilities :

    1. Coordinates the delivery of all food items within appropriate time standards.
    2. Makes certain that every food item is accounted for.
    3. Follows management’s instructions and suggestions.

    Decision-Making Authority :

    Position exercises some judgment on a daily basis in food presentation and provides information to employees. For decisions of a policy nature position clears with supervisor or HR functional leads.

    Qualifications :

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Education/Previous Experience :

    High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

    Language Skills :

    Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to effectively communicate information individually and in small group situations to customers and co‐workers.

    Mathematical Skills :

    Ability to add, subtracts, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

    Reasoning Ability :

    Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.

    Physical Demands :

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand during 6-8hr shift, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.

    Reaches, bends, stoops, shakes, stirs and wipes.

    The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and taste or smell.

    The employee must be able to hear well amongst loud background noise.

    Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pound cases several times per shift and carries up one flight of stairs.

    May experience frequent immersion of hands in hot water (every 5 minutes).

    Work Environment :

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Qualifications

    Behaviors

    Preferred

    Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

    Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

    Motivations

    Preferred

    Flexibility : Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

    Self-Starter : Inspired to perform without outside help

    Ability to Make an Impact : Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

    Company DescriptionAbout Concessions International:

    Today’s airport concessions environment is constantly changing and Concessions International understands that keeping up with those changes and taking care of its guests requires a strong infrastructure and careful planning. Over the years, the success has been based on providing the right mix of outstanding food quality, variety, reasonable prices, proactive facility management style and commitment to customer satisfaction. The company’s family of employees, managers, subtenants and partners are the right mix of many cultures, backgrounds and skill levels that continuously positions CI to move competitively into the future. CI’s extensive industry experience has prepared it to compete for new contracts, continue steady growth and be the airport concessions employer of choice while maintaining a strong commitment to value and service.
  5. Post your job

    To find the right food runner/busser for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with food runner/bussers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit food runner/bussers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your food runner/busser job on Zippia to find and recruit food runner/busser candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit food runner/bussers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new food runner/busser

    Once you've selected the best food runner/busser candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a food runner/busser?

Before you start to hire food runner/bussers, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire food runner/bussers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

The median annual salary for food runner/bussers is $28,577 in the US. However, the cost of food runner/busser hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a food runner/busser for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $10 and $17 an hour.

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