Headline ideas
- Food runners wanted
- Bring the plates out
- Run the pass
- Fast feet, friendly smiles
- Now hiring food runners
What to put on the sign
- Explain that runners carry food from the kitchen to the table accurately and quickly.
- Say whether you teach the menu and table numbers on day one.
- Describe the busiest shifts, so applicants know the energy of the room.
- Mention growth to server for runners who show they are ready.
What pay to put on a food runner poster
Posters with a real number get more walk-ins than “competitive pay.” For reference, the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median for dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers at $16.34/hr nationally and $16.72/hr in the Boston metro (May 2025 estimates). The full food runner salary breakdown shows the range.
The food runner role in one line
A food runner carries finished dishes from the kitchen pass to the correct table and keeps the dining room running smoothly. The role sits between the kitchen and servers and is often an entry-level front of house position.
Requirements worth printing
Keep the poster to the two or three that actually screen people out. The rest belongs in the full posting.
- No experience required in many restaurants, and a willingness to learn is key
- Ability to carry multiple plates and move quickly without spilling
- Ability to stand and walk for a full shift
- Food handler card may be required depending on your location
- Good memory for table numbers and menu items
Typical schedule
Food runners usually work lunch or dinner rushes, often in shorter shifts focused on peak hours and weekends.
Put the same opening on the free Servestack jobs board and borrow wording from the food runner job description.