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Food runner vs cashier/host

The differences between food runners and cashiers/host can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a food runner has an average salary of $25,536, which is higher than the $24,581 average annual salary of a cashier/host.

The top three skills for a food runner include cleanliness, wine and culinary. The most important skills for a cashier/host are cleanliness, host, and excellent guest.

Food runner vs cashier/host overview

Food RunnerCashier/Host
Yearly salary$25,536$24,581
Hourly rate$12.28$11.82
Growth rate14%-10%
Number of jobs240,853131,740
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age2334
Years of experience--

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.

What does a cashier/host do?

A 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. They also create comprehensive financial reports for management's review, including recommendations on cost-efficient strategies to minimize the company's loss without compromising high-quality services. A cashier/host must be analytical and communicative to maintain smooth operations and achieve the highest customer satisfaction.

Food runner vs cashier/host salary

Food runners and cashiers/host have different pay scales, as shown below.

Food RunnerCashier/Host
Average salary$25,536$24,581
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $34,000Between $16,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAAustin, TX
Highest paying stateVermontWashington
Best paying companyUniversity of Massachusetts Boston24 Carrots Catering and Events
Best paying industryHospitalityRetail

Differences between food runner and cashier/host education

There are a few differences between a food runner and a cashier/host in terms of educational background:

Food RunnerCashier/Host
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food runner vs cashier/host demographics

Here are the differences between food runners' and cashiers/host' demographics:

Food RunnerCashier/Host
Average age2334
Gender ratioMale, 59.0% Female, 41.0%Male, 42.7% Female, 57.3%
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, 9.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 25.0% Asian, 8.3% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%5%

Differences between food runner and cashier/host duties and responsibilities

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

Cashier/host example responsibilities.

  • Greet guests, answer phones, seat guests, prepare to-go orders, POS station, handle cash.
  • Answer telephone calls regarding group party reservations and business information.
  • Cook burgers at a timely manner and used fryers also wash dishes and close the store
  • Perform debit, credit and cash transactions, totale accountant on computer database, using specialize POS accounting software.
  • Restock supplies and maintain restaurant cleanliness.
  • Maintain an up-most standard for customer satisfaction and restaurant cleanliness.
  • Show more

Food runner vs cashier/host skills

Common food runner skills
  • Cleanliness, 20%
  • Wine, 9%
  • Culinary, 7%
  • Food Orders, 6%
  • Fine Dining, 5%
  • Food Handling, 5%
Common cashier/host skills
  • Cleanliness, 19%
  • Host, 13%
  • Excellent Guest, 11%
  • POS, 10%
  • Reservations, 7%
  • To-Go Orders, 6%

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