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Food runner vs runner

The differences between food runners and runners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a runner has an average salary of $33,320, which is higher than the $25,536 average annual salary of a food runner.

The top three skills for a food runner include cleanliness, wine and culinary. The most important skills for a runner are food service, basic math, and math.

Food runner vs runner overview

Food RunnerRunner
Yearly salary$25,536$33,320
Hourly rate$12.28$16.02
Growth rate14%17%
Number of jobs240,85315,501
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age2345
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 runner do?

A runner is considered as a general assistant who works under the direction of a producer and other production staff to do basic works such as answering the phone or making arrangements for staff on locations in the broadcasting and film industry. The role of a runner is to ensure that the production process is running smoothly. A runner should possess a lot of skills, such as excellent time management and teamwork. A bachelor or postgraduate degree is not required for being a runner.

Food runner vs runner salary

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

Food RunnerRunner
Average salary$25,536$33,320
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $34,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying stateVermontHawaii
Best paying companyUniversity of Massachusetts BostonVirginia Eye Institute
Best paying industryHospitalityTransportation

Differences between food runner and runner education

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

Food RunnerRunner
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Food runner vs runner demographics

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

Food RunnerRunner
Average age2345
Gender ratioMale, 59.0% Female, 41.0%Male, 63.7% Female, 36.3%
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, 9.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 13.3% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between food runner and runner 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.
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Runner example responsibilities.

  • Manage tickets for kitchen, run food and intereact with customers, and bus tables
  • Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.
  • Operate within compliance of USDA and QA program standards
  • Clean tables & floor area also set silver ware, plates, & wine glasses in correct fine dining table positions.
  • Line runner, PVC pipe bundler
  • Assist the HVAC technician with installations.
  • Show more

Food runner vs runner skills

Common food runner skills
  • Cleanliness, 20%
  • Wine, 9%
  • Culinary, 7%
  • Food Orders, 6%
  • Fine Dining, 5%
  • Food Handling, 5%
Common runner skills
  • Food Service, 18%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Math, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Cash Handling, 6%

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