Server and hostess vs food runner

The differences between server and hostesses and food runners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server and hostess has an average salary of $28,020, which is higher than the $25,536 average annual salary of a food runner.

The top three skills for a server and hostess include POS, food preparation and food orders. The most important skills for a food runner are cleanliness, wine, and culinary.

Server and hostess vs food runner overview

	Server And Hostess	Food Runner
Yearly salary	$28,020	$25,536
Hourly rate	$13.47	$12.28
Growth rate	10%	14%
Number of jobs	97,109	240,853
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 38%
Average age	28	23
Years of experience	-	-

What does a server and hostess do?

A server and hostess is an employee who plays the dual role of both a hostess and a server. As implied by this, a server and hostess is in-charge of welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, ensuring that the guests' tables are ready before leading them to their assigned tables, handing over the menu, and waiting for the guests to finalize their order. Once the guests are ready to order, the server and hostess takes on the server role by bringing the guests' order to the kitchen, waiting for the food to be ready, and bringing the food to the guests' table.

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.

Server and hostess vs food runner salary

Server and hostesses and food runners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Server And Hostess	Food Runner
Average salary	$28,020	$25,536
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $37,000	Between $18,000 And $34,000
Highest paying City	Binghamton, NY	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	New York	Vermont
Best paying company	Blue Dolphin Energy	University of Massachusetts Boston
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Hospitality

Differences between server and hostess and food runner education

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

	Server And Hostess	Food Runner
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Server and hostess vs food runner demographics

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

	Server And Hostess	Food Runner
Average age	28	23
Gender ratio	Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%	Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 53.1% 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 Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between server and hostess and food runner duties and responsibilities

Server and hostess example responsibilities.

Assist guests in booking reservations and manage guest history data using OpenTable reservation system.
Provide quality customer service, process customer transactions utilizing proprietary POS system, skillfully handle cash and credit card transactions.
Perform bartending duties during busy events or whenever require.
Coordinate with kitchen managerial staff using POS systems to ensure timely and accurate order preparation.
Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.

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.

Server and hostess vs food runner skills

Common server and hostess skills

POS, 11%
Food Preparation, 10%
Food Orders, 9%
Customer Orders, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Drink Orders, 5%

Common food runner skills

Cleanliness, 20%
Wine, 9%
Culinary, 7%
Food Orders, 6%
Fine Dining, 5%
Food Handling, 5%

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Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Server And Hostess
Server And Hostess vs Food Runner

Updated January 8, 2025

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