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How to hire a food runner

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

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a food runner is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per food runner on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 1,500,469 food runners in the US and 240,853 job openings.
  • New York, NY, has the highest demand for food runners, with 86 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of food runners.

How to hire a food runner, step by step

To hire a food runner, 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:

Here's a step-by-step food runner 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 job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new food runner
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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.

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

    The food runner hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

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

    A food runner's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, food runners from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of food runners.

    Type of Food RunnerDescriptionHourly rate
    Food RunnerFood 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.$8-16
    WaitressWaitresses are responsible for ensuring that guests are given proper attention during their visit to the restaurant. They guide guests to their table, provide menu boards, answer any questions the guests may have, take the guests' order, and communicate the order to the kitchen... Show more$8-16
    Server/BaristaA server/barista is someone who makes and serves beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, and sandwiches or baked goods. He/She or she should be able to explain menu items to customers to ensure customer satisfaction... Show more$11-19
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Cleanliness
    • Wine
    • Culinary
    • Food Orders
    • Fine Dining
    • Food Handling
    • Food Service
    • Excellent Guest
    • Safety Standards
    • Customer Service
    • Guest Satisfaction
    • Food Preparation
    • Reset Tables
    • Garnish
    Check all skills
    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.
    More food runner duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your food runner job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A food runner salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a food runner in Delaware may be lower than in Vermont, and an entry-level food runner usually earns less than a senior-level food runner. Additionally, a food runner with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average food runner salary

    $12.28hourly

    $25,536 yearly

    Entry-level food runner salary
    $18,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 20, 2026

    Average food runner salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$27,492$13
    2California$27,243$13
    3Massachusetts$26,700$13
    4Maryland$26,580$13
    5District of Columbia$26,488$13
    6Oregon$26,172$13
    7New York$25,867$12
    8Maine$25,324$12
    9Illinois$24,576$12
    10Ohio$24,430$12
    11Indiana$24,351$12
    12Colorado$24,329$12
    13North Carolina$24,279$12
    14Hawaii$24,128$12
    15Pennsylvania$23,737$11
    16Texas$23,377$11
    17New Jersey$23,316$11
    18Georgia$23,307$11
    19Michigan$23,045$11
    20Arkansas$22,973$11

    Average food runner salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1University of Massachusetts Boston$42,416$20.39
    2Talamore Country Club$38,236$18.38
    3Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs$38,214$18.37
    4Lexington Country Club$37,165$17.8710
    5Kroll$36,480$17.54
    6Syracuse University$35,692$17.161
    7Milwaukee Art Museum$35,015$16.83
    8University of Colorado Boulder$34,657$16.664
    9Aspen Snowmass$34,583$16.6310
    10El Camino High School$34,245$16.46
    11Jeff Ruby$34,140$16.41
    12Maidstone Club$33,663$16.18
    13Scottsdale Insurance$33,544$16.131
    14Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants$33,415$16.06104
    15Capital City Club$33,357$16.043
    16SpaceX$33,281$16.009
    17HEI Hotels & Resorts$33,073$15.90103
    18Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants$32,774$15.76174
    19Amazon$32,731$15.744
    20Bertucci's$32,347$15.5514
  4. Writing a food runner job description

    A good food runner job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a food runner job description:

    Food runner job description example

    Do you have a passion for preparing the highest quality food that is delighting Guests around the world? Are you interested in being part of a world class team committed to promoting from within and preparing you for a CAREER? If so, this is your opportunity to join the Ruth’s Chris family and join the company that defined The American Steak House in 1965 and continues to set the standard for quality and being a great place to work.

    What We Offer: Flexible and predictable scheduling, competitive pay, significant Team Member discounts, competitive health and vacation benefits, an inclusive work environment committed to diversity, structured career development, and growth opportunities.

    What We Ask: Come to work each shift with a great attitude and ready to contribute to the success of the team, be willing to learn from your Coach how to excel at your job, and work with us to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and is able to experience the Sizzle that is the Ruth’s Chris experience.

    We are looking forward to talking with you.

    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

    1. Reports to work, is in the correct uniform and on the station as indicated on the weekly work schedule. Practices positive personal hygiene and cleanliness habits during all work shifts.

    2. Sets up the front line with the equipment, plate ware and small wares needed to effectively serve all food products. Items include, but are not limited to; serving spoons, forks, goose necks, under liners for vegetables, folded napkins for handling hot plates and Keeps station restocked throughout the shift.

    3. Cleans large and small trays and tray stands to be ready for service.

    4. Coordinates and communicates with the broil and pantry stations to correctly time and serve \hot and cold\ items to the Guest.

    5. Garnishes finished entrees according to the specifications and procedures contained in the RCSH Recipe Book (examples: butter, parsley, lemon) and immediately trays and delivers food so that the food is served hot and sizzling.

    6. Delivers food to the correct table and pivot point position numbers. Assists the server as necessary to ensure that the Guest is served immediately. (\Hot Food Hot, Cold Food Cold\).

    7. Assists the server as needed to optimize the Guest's dining experience.

    8. Carries Take Out and Delivery food items to the Bar or Host stand as needed.

    9. Follows all national, state, and local safety, health, and sanitation guidelines as specified by the restaurant.

    10. Accomplishes all job duties while adhering to all safety guidelines and practices throughout the shift. Reports any unsafe condition, unsafe act, accidents and/or injuries to the Chef or other Manager-On-Duty.

    11. Correctly completes closing duties at the end of each shift. Assists Chef and other kitchen personnel in accomplishing closing duties and kitchen cleanliness.

    12. Completes all side work in the front and/or back of the house as assigned and scheduled by the members of the management team.

    13. Supports other Front-of-House positions as needed, providing a seamless Guest experience to all Guests.

    14. Performs all duties and maintains knowledge of all standards and procedures, as stated in the RCSH Employee Training Packet – Food Runner.

    15. Additional duties as assigned.

    COMPETENCIES/PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

    Guest First Mindset

    • Demonstrates a Guest first mindset, placing a high priority on the Guest experience

    • Interacts regularly with Guests, demonstrating a genuine interest in Guests, and ensuring a superior dining experience for all Guests

    Company Introduction

    Ruth Fertel was determined to provide a better life for her family. Even after a fire forced her to move the original Chris Steak House, her enthusiasm and perseverance helped her dream take flight – this time, with her own name on the door: Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
    Ruth built a reputation for legendary steaks and premier service by hiring passionate, hard-working people like herself – and treating them like family. Taking care of our people is what we do.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right food runner 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 runners they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit food runners 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 job on Zippia to find and recruit food runner candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with food runner candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    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

    Once you have selected a candidate for the food runner position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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?

Before you start to hire food runners, 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 runners pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $25,536 per year for a food runner, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for food runners in the US typically range between $8 and $16 an hour.

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