Food Runners play an important role in restaurant efficiency by making sure that beverages and dishes from the kitchen are delivered to the customers’ tables promptly.

If you want to explore this role further, check out our listing complete with requirements, salary and benefits.

Projected Job Openings for Food Runners

Given that Food Runners are important in maintaining efficiency in dining establishments, they're in high demand, with 70,694 job openings in the past year.

Graphic displaying the number of job openings for food runners in the past year

[Source: National Restaurant Association]

What Is the Average Salary of a Food Runner Job Role?

Food Runners in the U.S. earn an average of $29,691 per year or $2,474 a month.

What Are the Key Requirements and Preferred Qualifications for Food Runners?

We listed both to help increase your chances of securing a job.

Required:

Food handler's card: A food handler's card such as the ones provided by ServSafe, is similar to a bartending license. Both certify that an individual has completed the training necessary to serve food or beverages according to the state's health and safety regulations. The only difference between a food handler's card and a bartending license is that the latter only covers alcoholic beverages.
Must be at least 18 years old: The fast-paced restaurant environment requires Food Runners to be at least 18 years old to ensure they'll be able to handle the risks involved in the job such as burns from handling hot dishes and emotional stress from engaging with demanding customers. They may not be as involved as Waiters in interacting with customers but they still have to communicate with them for an efficient service.

Preferred:

High school diploma or GED: A high school diploma shows that you're equipped with the basic skills and knowledge necessary to accomplish the tasks of a Food Runner. It also signals to an employer that you're more likely to stick to the job as it shows your commitment to see things through to completion.
Previous experience: Some employers prefer candidates to have at least a year of experience in the restaurant or hospitality industry to make sure they'll be able to withstand the demands of the job. Being familiar with kitchen operations also helps expedite the onboarding process so the Foodn Runner can start contributing to the establishment's productivity on their first day.

Factors in Choosing Our Food Runner Jobs in the US

The following factors were considered in choosing the jobs featured in this listing:

Minimal education requirements
Varying shifts (part-time or full-time)
Comprehensive employee benefits

Food runner