How to Write a Food Runner Resume
You don’t need a fancy degree or years of restaurant management to write a killer food runner resume. You just need to know how to frame the skills you already have in a way that speaks to hiring managers.
1. Review the Job Description
Before you start writing, carefully read the job listing from top to bottom. It’s not just a formality, it’s a blueprint. Most food runner job ads include specific phrases like delivered food promptly, maintain cleanliness, or strong customer service skills. These aren’t just descriptions, they’re keywords hiring managers (and applicant tracking systems) look for.
Use these exact phrases to tailor your resume. This shows you're aligned with the employer’s expectations and can handle the realities of a fast-paced food service environment. It also improves your chances of passing through the applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Do this:
- Highlight keywords from the job post
- Match them naturally in your bullet points
- Prioritize duties tied to speed, safety, and teamwork
Instead of saying:
Say:2. Write a Professional Summary
Think of your summary as your opening pitch. It's the first thing hiring managers read, so make it matter. This section should quickly introduce who you are, how much experience you bring, and why you're a solid fit for the role.
Avoid generic phrases or filler. Speak directly, and ensure it reflects your real experience, even if it’s limited. This isn’t where you pretend; it’s where you position.
Use this formula:
“Dedicated food runner with [X years] of experience in [type of food service setting]. Known for [core strength] and [achievement or value you bring].”
Tips for a strong summary:
- Keep it to 2–3 concise sentences.
- Use confident, natural language.
- Mention customer service, speed, or food safety if relevant.
Example:3. Add Your Work Experience
This is where your food runner resume earns its credibility. If you’ve worked at a busy diner, a fast casual chain, or even helped at a school event, your experience matters as long as you present it with clarity, confidence, and results.
Start with your most recent position and work backward. Each job should include the company name, job title, location, and dates. Then, use bullet points to highlight what you did and how well you did it. Use action verbs like delivered, maintained, ensured, assisted, and provided.
Show hiring managers you’re a dedicated food runner who thrives in a high-energy restaurant setting and expertly handles food orders and guest satisfaction.
Examples:The Copper Spoon Diner – Chicago, IL
Food Runner | March 2023 – Present
- Delivered food promptly and accurately during peak hours, averaging 60+ food and beverage orders per shift
- Maintained cleanliness of dining area in compliance with food safety and health and safety regulations
- Assisted guests in a friendly and professional manner to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat visits
4. List Your Skills
This is your moment to back up everything you just listed in your experience section. A strong skills list tells hiring managers that you’ve got what it takes to work the floor, think on your feet, and keep food orders moving fast without sacrificing guest satisfaction.
Separate your skills into two categories: Hard Skills (things you can be trained on, like food handling or POS systems) and Soft Skills (how you work, how you handle people, and how you show up under pressure). Use clear, direct phrases; this isn’t the place for buzzwords or guesswork. Be real and be specific.
5. Include Your Education
You don’t need a culinary degree to work in food service. What you do need is to show that you’ve finished school or are working on it.
If you have a high school diploma, list the school name, city, and graduation year. If you’re still in school or recently graduated, that’s fine too. The key is not to overthink this section.
Examples:Washington High School – Denver, CO
High School Diploma, 2022
Lincoln Technical Academy – Sacramento, CA
Certificate in Hospitality and Customer Service, 2023
West Valley Community College – San Jose, CA
Coursework in Business and Food Service Operations, 2022–Present
6. Add Certifications
Certifications aren’t just for chefs and managers. If you’re a food runner aiming to stand out, listing key credentials shows hiring managers you take food safety seriously and can excel in a high-volume dining environment.
If you've completed food safety training, earned a food handling certification, or passed ServSafe, include those front and center on your runner resume. These prove you’re trained to follow safety and sanitation guidelines, meet health and safety regulations, and deliver food with confidence and accuracy.
Certifications to Include on a Food Runner Resume
- Food Handler Certification
- ServSafe Food Handler Certificate
- ServSafe Allergen Certification
Food Runner Resume Example
This sample resume hits everything we just covered. It was built for someone like you: an experienced, hardworking food runner with strong customer service skills, a sharp memory, and the drive to manage food service in a high-energy setting without missing a beat.
Feel free to copy this format, tweak it with your details, and use it as your go-to food runner resume template.
Lexi Blaze
Chicago, IL • lexi.blaze@email.com • (555) 987-1234
Professional Summary
Hardworking food runner with 2 years of experience in high-volume restaurants. Skilled in timely food delivery, maintaining cleanliness, and supporting a seamless dining experience. Known for strong customer service, food safety awareness, and team collaboration in dynamic dining environments.
Experience
The Copper Spoon Diner – Chicago, IL
Food Runner | July 2023 – Present
- Delivered food and beverage orders to guests in a timely manner while following food safety protocols
- Provided great customer service skills in a fast-paced restaurant environment, assisting servers and greeting guests with a friendly and professional manner
- Maintained cleanliness of the dining area and adhered to all health and safety standards
- Ensured accurate food delivery and enhanced guest satisfaction by confirming all food orders matched the restaurant's menu
Café Mondo – Chicago, IL
Server Assistant / Food Runner | May 2022 – June 2023
- Delivered food promptly during rush periods, averaging 60+ food orders per shift
- Followed safety and sanitation guidelines to support restaurant operations
- Assisted guests by answering questions, restocking stations, and ensuring quality service
- Supported food preparation and food presentation by coordinating with the kitchen staff
Skills
Hard Skills
- Accurate food delivery
- POS system basics
- Dining area cleanliness
- Timely food delivery
Soft Skills
- Excellent customer service
- Fast learner with a positive attitude
- Detail-oriented food runner with strong customer service orientation
- Strong communicator in team environments
Education
West Ridge High School – Chicago, IL
High School Diploma, 2021
Certifications
- Food Handling Certification (ServSafe), 2024
- Completed food safety training – Illinois Department of Public Health
Conclusion
With a solid food runner resume template, the right mix of food service experience, food safety knowledge, and excellent customer service skills, you’ve got everything hiring managers want in a hardworking food runner. Focus on timely food delivery, accurate food orders, and customer satisfaction, and you’ll have a runner resume that stands out in any fast paced environment, just proof you can deliver food, maintain cleanliness, and handle guest satisfaction like a pro.
