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Fountain worker vs food runner/busser

The differences between fountain workers and food runner/bussers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fountain worker has an average salary of $29,234, which is higher than the $28,577 average annual salary of a food runner/busser.

The top three skills for a fountain worker include cleanliness, customer service and POS. The most important skills for a food runner/busser are cleanliness, wine, and excellent guest.

Fountain worker vs food runner/busser overview

Fountain WorkerFood Runner/Busser
Yearly salary$29,234$28,577
Hourly rate$14.05$13.74
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs22,579124,680
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age2323
Years of experience--

Fountain worker vs food runner/busser salary

Fountain workers and food runner/bussers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fountain WorkerFood Runner/Busser
Average salary$29,234$28,577
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $36,000Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-New Hampshire
Best paying company-The Culinary Institute of America
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between fountain worker and food runner/busser education

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

Fountain WorkerFood Runner/Busser
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Fountain worker vs food runner/busser demographics

Here are the differences between fountain workers' and food runner/bussers' demographics:

Fountain WorkerFood Runner/Busser
Average age2323
Gender ratioMale, 30.2% Female, 69.8%Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between fountain worker and food runner/busser duties and responsibilities

Fountain worker example responsibilities.

  • Wait staff: provide friendly customer service; accurately take customer orders; maintain cleanliness of tables and floor.
  • Stock ingredients, materials, and supply for beverage station.
  • Operate POS cash register system; responsible for handling money and making transactions.
  • Clean tables, collect and wash dirty dishes, maintain stock, and perform cleaning duties at closing time.
  • Maintain legal obligations for responsible bartending by verification of legal age of all customers.
  • Replace or attach bar code labels on every ammunition containers for identification and location.

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

Fountain worker vs food runner/busser skills

Common fountain worker skills
  • Cleanliness, 27%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • POS, 11%
  • Cash Handling, 10%
  • Guest Complaints, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 5%
Common food runner/busser skills
  • Cleanliness, 14%
  • Wine, 13%
  • Excellent Guest, 8%
  • Culinary, 6%
  • Water Glasses, 6%
  • Food Delivery, 5%

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