Food Runner and Busser. Bungalow Kitchen

The Bungalow Hospitality Group; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Food Runner at The Bungalow Hospitality Group in Long Beach, CA, will connect kitchen and dining room, delivering dishes promptly and with warmth in a fast-paced, elevated bistro setting.

You will work as a non-exempt employee, ensuring accurate order delivery, maintaining station cleanliness, and supporting service teammates to uphold guest satisfaction.

Qualifications

• California Food Handler Card required or obtained within 30 days.
• 1 year restaurant or hospitality experience preferred.
• POS and kitchen display/expediter system experience preferred.
• Able to memorize menu items and table positions for accurate service.

Responsibilities

• Deliver food promptly from kitchen to tables, ensuring correct temperature and presentation.
• Provide warm, attentive service and answer menu or allergen questions.
• Assist servers and bussers, clearing plates and resetting tables during service.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of runner stations and expo line; follow health and safety rules.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Communication

Prior restaurant experience

Education

California Food Handler Card (or willing to obtain within 30 days)

Tools

POS system

Expediter/kitchen display system

Job description

Employees in this role are classified as non-exempt and will:

• Accurately record all hours worked using the company’s timekeeping system.
• Receive overtime compensation in accordance with California law.
• Take all required meal and rest breaks as mandated by California wage and hour regulations.
• Accrue and use paid sick leave in accordance with California law.
• Follow company policies regarding timekeeping, breaks, and scheduling.
• Retain all tips and gratuities earned. Any tip pooling will be administered in compliance with California law; tips are the property of employees and are not applied as a credit against minimum wage.

Employees are expected to immediately report any concerns regarding wage and hour compliance to management.

Reporting Structure

General Manager → Assistant General Manager ↓ Food Runner

Objective/Purpose of the Position

The Food Runner ensures that every dish reaches the correct guest promptly, accurately, and at the proper temperature while delivering warm, professional hospitality in a fast-paced, elevated California bistro. This role is the essential link between the kitchen and the dining room, supporting the service team and expediting food to the highest standards of presentation.

The Food Runner works closely with the kitchen, service team, General Manager, and Assistant General Manager to uphold food quality, timing, and the overall guest experience.

Tasks/Responsibilities

Food Delivery & Expediting

• Deliver food from the kitchen to the correct table and guest promptly, accurately, and at the proper temperature.
• Verify each order for accuracy, presentation, and completeness—garnishes, sides, and modifications—before it leaves the kitchen.
• Assist the expediter in organizing tickets, staging plates, and communicating timing between the kitchen and dining room.

Guest Service

• Provide warm, attentive, and efficient service, anticipating guest needs while delivering food.
• Answer basic questions about menu items, ingredients, and allergens, and relay special requests to the appropriate staff.
• Resolve guest concerns and elevate to a server or management when necessary.

Teamwork & Support

• Support servers and bussers by clearing plates, refilling water, and resetting tables as needed.
• Communicate clearly with kitchen and front-of-house staff to keep service running smoothly during peak periods.

Operations & Compliance

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of runner stations, service areas, and the expo line throughout service.
• Follow all health, safety, sanitation, and food-handling requirements and report concerns to management.
• Assist with side work, restocking, and closing duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, often for the duration of a shift.
• Ability to lift and carry moderate loads (typically up to 35 pounds), such as trays, glass racks, and supplies.
• Ability to bend, reach, and move quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Frequent interaction with guests and staff, including clear verbal communication.

Preferred Experience/Minimum Qualifications

• California Food Handler Card required, or must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Prior experience as a food runner, busser, or server in a full-service restaurant preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of restaurant or hospitality experience in a high-volume environment preferred.
• Ability to memorize menu items, ingredients, and table positions, and to deliver food accurately in a fast-paced setting.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, elevated bistro environment with a genuine passion for food, beverage, and hospitality.
• POS and kitchen display / expediter system experience preferred.