What does a Restaurant Expeditor do?

Restaurant Expeditors are integral to the restaurant’s success because they heavily influence both the final quality of the food being served and how guests perceive their overall experience. From managing the rhythm of the kitchen during a dinner rush to preventing entrees from sitting too long under the heat lamps on the pass, expeditors are the gatekeepers of quality and organizational powerhouses.

Restaurant Expeditor skills and qualifications

A successful Restaurant Expeditor candidate must have several prerequisite skills and qualifications, including:

• Hands-on experience with food prep

• Food handling training and certifications

• Clear and concise communicator

• Ability to multitask

• Calm and focused under pressure

• Attention to detail

• Self-motivated and assertive

• Passion for customer service and hospitality

Restaurant Expeditor experience requirements

Many employers look for a Restaurant Expeditor who already has experience with the role. That’s because this job can be surprisingly complex, and so much hinges on the expeditor’s skill and finesse. Job seekers who haven’t worked as an expeditor but have some kind of restaurant experience—time as a busser, server, line cook or even current enrollment in culinary school—may also be considered for the position.

Restaurant Expeditor education and training requirements

There are no minimum educational requirements for Restaurant Expeditors. Many entry-level Food Expeditors start as food runners or prep assistants.

Restaurants that combine the expo position with other roles, such as inventory manager, may have more strict education requirements. In those cases, applicants may need an associate’s or even a bachelor’s degree in a field like hospitality management, culinary arts, business management, purchasing or finance.

Restaurant Expeditors often train on the job, but there may be requirements for food handler certifications. 

Restaurant Expeditor salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Restaurant Expeditor is $38,627 per year. Total salary may depend on several factors, including relevant experience, geographic location and the company hiring.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Restaurant Expeditor isn’t quite what you’re looking for, there are other roles available to browse and explore.

• Restaurant Server

• Food Runner

• Kitchen Manager

• Inventory Manager

Restaurant Expeditor job description FAQs

What does a Restaurant Expeditor do?

A Restaurant Expeditor’s primary role is to stand at the pass during service and act as the middle person between the service staff and the cooks on the line. The expo streamlines the flow of orders, helping to ensure dishes go out to tables on time and at the standard expected by the restaurant’s guests.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a Restaurant Expeditor?

According to Restaurant Expeditor job descriptions, an expo’s duties and responsibilities include managing the influx of customer orders, ensuring order accuracy, adding garnishes, perfecting plating, relaying customer complaints and maintaining proper sanitation standards. Some Food Expeditors also manage inventory, organize the storeroom and review deliveries.