Six editable templates covering the very different runner roles, food, server assistant, office, legal, warehouse, and courier, with the FLSA, tip-pool, and food-handler guidance the generic templates skip.
Runner is one job title for several different jobs. A food runner carries plates from the kitchen to tables in a restaurant; an office runner makes bank and supply runs; a legal runner files court documents; a warehouse runner moves parts; a courier runner delivers packages. They share a focus on moving things quickly and reliably, but little else. So the first step in writing the job description is deciding which runner you actually mean.
This guide disambiguates the role and gives six editable templates, one for each main type, with the FLSA classification, tipped-pay and tip-pool rules, and food-handler guidance the generic templates skip. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.
TL;DR
Runner means different jobs by setting. The most common is the food runner at a restaurant: an entry-level, hourly, frequently tipped, non-exempt role that runs plates from the kitchen to tables. Office, legal, warehouse, and courier runners are non-exempt hourly roles in their own settings. For food runners, the tip credit ($2.13 cash wage, $5.12 max credit, $7.25 floor) and tip-pool rules matter. Decide which runner you mean first. Six editable templates below.
What a Runner Is (and Which One You Mean)
A runner moves things, food, documents, parts, or packages, quickly and reliably from one place to another. What that means in practice depends entirely on the setting, and so do the pay, the rules, and the kind of candidate you want. The most important decision before writing the posting is which runner you are hiring.
Type of runner
Where
Pay
Tipped?
Food runner
Restaurants, bars, catering
Hourly, plus tips
Often tipped
Server assistant / restaurant runner
Restaurants
Hourly, plus tips
Often tipped
Office / errand runner
Small offices, dealerships
Around $15 to $16 an hour
No
Legal / court runner
Law firms, process servers
Around $14 an hour
No
Warehouse / parts runner
Distribution, auto, construction
Around $16 to $18 an hour
No
Courier / delivery runner
Delivery and courier firms
Hourly
No
By far the most common small-business hire is the food runner at an independent restaurant, which is why this guide leads with that version. The closest federal occupation is dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers, which lists server assistant and busser among its sample titles. The food runner is also the only runner role with a tipped-pay dimension, which makes its compliance different from the rest.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by your setting. Because the roles differ so much, choosing the right one matters more here than for most titles. Each template emphasizes the duties, pay, and rules that fit a specific kind of runner.
Food Runner
Restaurants, bars
The most common small-business version: deliver food from the kitchen to tables, check orders, and support servers. The flagship for an independent restaurant.
Server Assistant
Restaurants
The restaurant runner by another name: run food, clear and reset tables, and support servers throughout the shift.
Office / Errand Runner
Small offices
For an office: deliveries, bank and supply runs, mail, and day-to-day logistics. Needs a clean driving record.
Legal / Court Runner
Law firms
For a law office: court filings, document delivery, and errands, with confidentiality and deadline awareness.
Warehouse / Parts Runner
Distribution, auto
For a warehouse or shop: pull, stage, and deliver parts and materials, often between sites or counters.
Courier / Delivery Runner
Delivery firms
For a courier service: pick up and deliver documents and packages on a route or dispatch schedule.
Match the Template to the Setting
A restaurant or bar: Food Runner, or Server Assistant if the role leans toward table support. A small office: Office / Errand Runner. A law firm: Legal / Court Runner. A warehouse, auto shop, or distributor: Warehouse / Parts Runner. A delivery or courier service: Courier / Delivery Runner. When in doubt for a restaurant, the Food Runner version is the one most owners need.
6 Editable Runner Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single editable Word document, or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: organization and job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a compensation block, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Food runner, server assistant, office, legal, warehouse, and courier runner. One editable DOCX.
Template 1: Food Runner (Restaurant)
The most common small-business version: deliver food from the kitchen to tables, check orders against tickets, and support servers. The flagship for an independent restaurant or bar.
Food Runner Job Description (Restaurant)
FOOD RUNNER JOB DESCRIPTION (RESTAURANT)
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: __ (Server / Floor Manager / Owner)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly), [ ] tipped
Pay range: $_____ per hour, plus tips
ABOUT [RESTAURANT NAME]
[One or two sentences about your restaurant, the front-of-house team this runner
will join, and the shifts you need covered.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Restaurant Name] is hiring a Food Runner to deliver food from the kitchen to
guests quickly, accurately, and at the right temperature. You will be the link
between the kitchen and the dining room: running plates, checking orders against
tickets, supporting servers, and helping keep the floor moving during service.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Deliver food from the kitchen to the correct tables promptly
•Check each plate against the ticket for accuracy and modifications
•Communicate with the kitchen and servers during service
•Help with drink refills, condiments, and table setup as needed
•Clear and reset tables to keep the floor moving
•Follow food safety and sanitation procedures
•Assist with side work and closing duties
•Provide friendly, attentive service to guests
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•No experience required; training provided
•Able to stand, walk, and carry trays for full shifts
•Able to lift up to [50] lbs and move quickly during a rush
•Friendly, team-oriented, and reliable
•Food-handler permit if your state or locality requires one
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay: $_____ per hour, plus tips (tip pool [ ] applies)
This role is non-exempt and eligible for overtime.
To apply, send your resume or stop by __.
[Restaurant Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Server Assistant / Restaurant Runner
The restaurant runner by another name: run food, clear and reset tables, refill drinks, and support servers throughout the shift.
Server Assistant / Restaurant Runner Job Description
SERVER ASSISTANT / RESTAURANT RUNNER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: Server / Floor Manager
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly), [ ] tipped
Pay range: $_____ per hour, plus tips
JOB SUMMARY
[Restaurant Name] is hiring a Server Assistant (also called a restaurant runner)
to support servers and keep the dining room running smoothly. You will run food,
clear and reset tables, refill drinks, and handle the front-of-house tasks that let
servers focus on guests. This is a fast-paced, team-first role.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Run food and drinks to tables accurately
•Clear, clean, and reset tables between guests
•Refill water, drinks, and condiments
•Support servers throughout the shift
•Stock service stations and complete side work
•Follow food safety and sanitation standards
•Help maintain a clean, welcoming dining room
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•No experience required; training provided
•Able to stand, walk, and carry trays for full shifts
•Able to lift up to [50] lbs
•Reliable, fast, and team-oriented
•Food-handler permit if required locally
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay: $_____ per hour, plus tips (tip pool [ ] applies)
This role is non-exempt and eligible for overtime.
To apply, send your resume or stop by __.
[Restaurant Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Still Using Spreadsheets for Onboarding?
Automate documents, training assignments, task management, and track onboarding progress in real time.
For a warehouse, auto shop, or distributor: pull, stage, and deliver parts and materials, often between sites or counters.
Warehouse Runner / Parts Runner Job Description
WAREHOUSE RUNNER / PARTS RUNNER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: Warehouse Supervisor / Lead
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Warehouse Runner (parts runner) to move parts,
materials, and orders quickly between the warehouse, staging areas, and job sites
or counters. You will pull and stage items, deliver parts where they are needed,
and help keep inventory moving accurately and on time.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Pull, stage, and deliver parts and materials
•Move orders between warehouse, counters, and sites
•Verify items against pick lists and orders
•Load and unload deliveries safely
•Restock and organize inventory
•Follow safety and equipment procedures
•Report shortages, damage, and issues
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Reliable, punctual, and detail-oriented
•Able to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to [50] lbs
•Valid driver's license if delivering between sites
•Basic inventory or warehouse experience a plus
•Able to work at a fast pace safely
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
This role is non-exempt and eligible for overtime.
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Courier / Delivery Runner
For a courier or delivery service: pick up and deliver documents and packages on a route or dispatch schedule, with reliable service.
Courier / Delivery Runner Job Description
COURIER / DELIVERY RUNNER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: Operations Lead / Dispatcher
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Courier / Delivery Runner to pick up and deliver
documents, packages, and items on time and in good condition. You will follow a
route or dispatch schedule, confirm deliveries, and provide reliable, professional
service to our clients and recipients.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Pick up and deliver documents, packages, and items
•Follow routes or dispatch instructions efficiently
•Confirm deliveries and obtain signatures
•Handle items carefully and keep them secure
•Maintain delivery logs and report issues
•Keep the vehicle clean and report maintenance needs
•Provide courteous, professional service
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent
•Valid driver's license and clean driving record
•Reliable, punctual, and organized
•Able to lift and carry packages
•Familiarity with the local area a plus
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
This role is non-exempt and eligible for overtime.
To apply, send your resume to __.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Food Runner Duties
Since the food runner is the most common small-business hire, here is a closer look at its duties, which cluster into four areas: running food, supporting service, floor and side work, and safety and guests.
Running food
Deliver plates to the right tables promptly
Check each plate against the ticket
Keep food at the right temperature
Supporting service
Communicate with kitchen and servers
Refill drinks and condiments
Help set and reset tables
Floor and side work
Clear tables to keep the floor moving
Stock service stations
Complete opening and closing side work
Safety and guests
Follow food safety and sanitation
Carry trays safely during a rush
Provide friendly, attentive service
A strong posting picks the specific tasks that match your restaurant rather than listing everything. For a structured way to scope the role, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Tipped Pay, Tip Pools, and Compliance
This is the part the generic runner templates skip, and it matters most for a food runner: tipped pay, the tip credit, tip-pool rules, and the non-exempt classification. Get these right and you both attract candidates and protect the restaurant.
The tip credit: $2.13, $5.12, and the $7.25 floor
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, an employer can pay a tipped employee a direct cash wage as low as $2.13 an hour and count tips toward the rest of the federal minimum wage. The maximum tip credit an employer can claim is the difference, $5.12 an hour, because $7.25 minus $2.13 equals $5.12. If the employee's tips plus the cash wage do not reach $7.25 an hour, the employer must make up the difference. A tipped employee is anyone who customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. Many states set a higher cash wage or require the full minimum wage with no tip credit, so always check your state law. This is general information, not legal advice.
Food runners can be in the tip pool, with limits
Food runners are customarily tipped, customer-facing staff, so they are eligible to participate in a valid tip pool alongside servers and bussers. But tip-pool rules are strict and have driven real litigation: an employer that takes a tip credit generally cannot include managers, supervisors, or back-of-house staff who do not customarily receive tips, and managers can never keep employees' tips. Recent restaurant cases have turned on exactly who was allowed in the pool, with large judgments where the pool was set up improperly. If you run a tip pool that includes food runners, document who participates and confirm it against current federal and state rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
Food runners are non-exempt and earn overtime
A food runner is manual, hourly work and is non-exempt under the FLSA, which means overtime at one and a half times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. For tipped employees, overtime is calculated on the full minimum wage, not the lower cash wage, which is a common small-restaurant mistake. Because restaurants run long and split shifts, track hours carefully across the week. State overtime rules can add requirements on top of the federal standard, including daily overtime in some states. Classify the role as non-exempt, hourly, and tipped where applicable, and keep accurate time and tip records. This is general information, not legal advice.
Food-handler permits and onboarding paperwork
Most states or localities require food-service staff to hold a food-handler card or permit, often obtained through a short course and test within a set number of days of hire. Build that into onboarding rather than discovering it later. A food runner's first-week paperwork is ordinary but real: the Form I-9 and W-4, any state tax forms, a handbook acknowledgment, and the food-handler permit, plus uniform and first-shift logistics. Setting this up as a repeatable checklist matters because food-service roles turn over often, so you will run the same onboarding many times a year. This is general information, not legal advice.
The Tip Credit in Numbers
Federally, an employer can pay a tipped employee a direct cash wage as low as $2.13 an hour and claim a maximum tip credit of $5.12, because $7.25 minus $2.13 equals $5.12. A tipped employee is anyone who customarily receives more than $30 a month in tips, and food runners are eligible tip-pool participants. Many states require a higher cash wage, so check local law. This is general information, not legal advice.
For a food runner, reliability, speed, and a team-first attitude matter more than experience, since most restaurants train on the job. Scale the requirements to the specific runner role rather than copying a generic list.
Requirement
What to look for
Experience
None required for food runner; training provided
Physical
Able to stand, walk, carry trays, and lift around 50 lbs
Pace
Comfortable moving quickly during a rush
Permit
Food-handler card for food runners where required locally
License
Valid driver's license for office, legal, and courier runners
Classification
Non-exempt, hourly; tipped for food runners
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Hiring a Food Runner for a Small Restaurant
A large restaurant group hires food runners through a recruiting team with defined procedures. An independent restaurant does the opposite: the owner or a floor manager writes the posting, interviews between shifts, and trains the new runner on the job. The role turns over often, so the speed and repeatability of hiring and onboarding matter as much as the job description.
The Front of House Turns Over, So Make Hiring Repeatable
Food-service roles are high-churn, which means you will run the same hiring and onboarding many times a year. After the offer, FirstHR handles the people side: e-signature for the offer letter, I-9, and W-4, an onboarding workflow for the food-handler permit, uniform, and first shift, training modules for food safety, and document management for signed forms and tip-pool records. With a flat monthly price, it fits a thin-margin restaurant. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a POS or scheduling system, and it does not run payroll, so pair it with those. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
Use the food runner template, describe the real mix of running and table support, and be clear about pay and the tip arrangement. Because the role turns over, a fast, repeatable onboarding process pays off every time you hire.
From Hiring to Onboarding
Once a candidate accepts, the job description becomes the basis for the offer and onboarding. A food runner especially benefits from a quick, structured start, since the new hire needs the food-handler permit and food-safety basics before working a busy floor.
Send and sign the offer
Confirm the hourly rate, tip arrangement, schedule, and start date in writing, with an offer letter the new hire can e-sign.
Handle the paperwork
Form I-9 and W-4, any state forms, and a handbook acknowledgment, signed before the first shift.
Cover permits and food safety
Confirm the food-handler permit where required and run food-safety and sanitation training.
Store the records
Keep the signed offer, tax forms, permit, and tip-pool documentation organized in one place.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, e-signature, onboarding workflow, training, and document management in one place, so a small restaurant can run the full process, including the food-handler permit and food-safety training, from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a POS or scheduling tool, and it does not run payroll, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
Runner is one title for very different jobs: food, server assistant, office, legal, warehouse, and courier runner.
Decide which runner you mean first; the setting changes the duties, pay, and rules.
The food runner at a restaurant is the most common small-business hire and the flagship template here.
Food runners are non-exempt, hourly, and frequently tipped, and they are eligible tip-pool participants.
The tip credit is $5.12 federally ($2.13 cash wage against the $7.25 floor); many states require more, so check local law.
Build the food-handler permit and I-9/W-4 paperwork into a repeatable onboarding checklist, since the role turns over often.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a runner do?
It depends on the setting, because runner is one title for several different jobs. In a restaurant, a food runner delivers food from the kitchen to guests, checks orders, and supports servers. In an office, an errand runner handles deliveries, bank and supply runs, and logistics. In a law firm, a legal or court runner files documents and delivers paperwork. In a warehouse, a parts runner moves materials and orders between areas. In a courier service, a delivery runner picks up and delivers packages. The common thread is moving things quickly and reliably from one place to another, but the duties, pay, and setting differ sharply. The first step in writing the job description is deciding which runner you mean. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is a food runner in a restaurant?
A food runner is the link between the kitchen and the dining room. The core job is delivering completed plates from the kitchen to the correct tables quickly and at the right temperature, while checking each plate against the ticket for accuracy. Beyond running food, the role supports servers by refilling drinks and condiments, helping set and reset tables, clearing dishes, stocking service stations, and completing side work. It is an entry-level, fast-paced, team-first role that keeps service moving, and it is often a stepping stone to a server position. Food runners are typically hourly and frequently tipped, sharing in a tip pool with servers and bussers. No experience is usually required, since most restaurants train on the job. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a food runner and a server assistant?
They are largely the same role under two names, and many restaurants use the terms interchangeably. A food runner's primary focus is delivering plates from the kitchen to tables accurately and fast. A server assistant, sometimes called a busser-runner, has a slightly broader support role: running food, but also clearing and resetting tables, refilling drinks, and handling the front-of-house tasks that free servers to focus on guests. In a small restaurant, one person often does both. Both are entry-level, hourly, frequently tipped, non-exempt roles, and both can participate in a valid tip pool. When writing the job description, pick whichever title your team already uses and describe the actual mix of running and table support you need. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a food runner a tipped employee?
Usually yes. A food runner is customarily a tipped, customer-facing role, and under the Fair Labor Standards Act a tipped employee is anyone who customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. Food runners are eligible to participate in a valid tip pool alongside servers and bussers. If the employer takes a tip credit, it can pay a direct cash wage as low as $2.13 an hour federally and count tips toward the $7.25 minimum, making up any shortfall. Tip-pool rules are strict: managers and supervisors cannot keep employees' tips, and a tip credit pool generally cannot include back-of-house staff. Many states require a higher cash wage or the full minimum wage, so check your state. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a food runner exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A food runner is non-exempt and paid hourly. The role is manual, entry-level service work that does not qualify for any white-collar exemption, so the food runner is entitled to overtime at one and a half times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. For tipped employees, overtime must be calculated on the full minimum wage rather than the lower direct cash wage, which is a frequent small-restaurant error. Because restaurants often schedule long, split, or weekend shifts, employers should track hours carefully and keep accurate time and tip records. Some states add their own overtime rules, such as daily overtime, on top of the federal standard. Classify the role as non-exempt, hourly, and tipped where applicable. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a food runner make?
Food runners are paid hourly plus tips, with total pay varying by restaurant, region, and how busy the floor is. The closest federal occupation, dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists as including server assistant and busser titles, falls within the food-and-beverage serving group that reported a median hourly wage of $14.92 as of the May 2024 data. Market data for food runners specifically ranges from a low base wage in tip-credit states to around $18 an hour plus tips in others. Because tips can add meaningfully to the base, total take-home varies widely. Set a base rate that meets federal and state minimums, and be clear about the tip arrangement in the posting. This is general information, not compensation advice.
Do food runners need a food-handler permit?
Often yes. Most states or localities require food-service employees to hold a food-handler card or permit, typically earned through a short course and test, and many require it within a set number of days of starting. Because requirements vary by state, county, and even city, confirm the rule for your location before the new runner's first shift and build the permit into onboarding. Beyond the permit, a food runner's onboarding paperwork is straightforward but mandatory: the Form I-9 and W-4, any state tax forms, and a handbook acknowledgment, plus uniform and first-shift logistics. Since food-service roles turn over frequently, setting this up as a repeatable checklist saves time on every hire. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a runner job description include?
Start by deciding which runner you mean: food, server assistant, office, legal, warehouse, or courier. Include a short organization summary, a job summary that makes the setting clear, and responsibilities specific to that role, such as running plates and checking tickets for a food runner, or court filings for a legal runner. State the FLSA classification, which is non-exempt and hourly across these runner roles, and for a food runner note the tipped status and any tip pool. Post a pay range that meets federal and state minimums. List qualifications honestly, usually a high school diploma or no experience with training provided, plus a driver's license for delivery-based runners or a food-handler permit for food runners. Close with an equal opportunity statement and apply instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
