Line-Sitting Business Grows as Social Media Fuels Demand for Viral Food Items
8 reported
According to a report from Eater, the practice of paying someone to wait in line for restaurant tables, food items, or other experiences has seen increased public interest, driven largely by social media platforms like TikTok. Professional line waiter Robert Samuel, who runs the New York City-based business Same Ole Line Dudes, stated that while line-sitting has always existed, social media has made it more visible and attracted more people to the job. Samuel’s business, which he started nearly 15 years ago after noticing demand for the iPhone, now employs about 35 line waiters on average. The business charges $25 per hour with a two-hour minimum, plus additional fees for rush orders, holidays, or overnight waits. The report notes that freelance line-sitting has also grown on platforms like TaskRabbit, where the national rate ranges from $28 to $90 per hour, with over 4,900 line-sitting taskers in New York City alone. Current high-demand items include dot cakes from Manhattan’s Butterfield Market, where lines form as early as 6 a.m. Samuel said that while some restaurants welcome his sitters, one unnamed in-demand steakhouse in the West Village has given his business pushback.
What’s reported
Robert Samuel, a full-time professional line waiter in NYC, runs Same Ole Line Dudes, which he started nearly 15 years ago after the iPhone launch.
Samuel’s business currently has about 35 line waiters on average who take requests throughout the city and sometimes beyond.
Same Ole Line Dudes charges $25 per hour with a two-hour minimum, plus rush fees ($15-$25), holiday rates, and inclement weather fees.
On TaskRabbit, the national rate for line-sitting is listed between $28 and $90 per hour; New York City has over 4,900 line-sitting taskers.
Current viral food items driving demand include dot cakes from Butterfield Market in Manhattan, with lines forming as early as 6 a.m.
Samuel stated that social media, particularly TikTok, has increased visibility and interest in line-sitting.
A Lucali staff member told Eater they now see a steady mixture of Same Ole Line Dudes and line sitters from Craigslist or TaskRabbit.
Samuel noted that an unnamed in-demand steakhouse in the West Village has given his business pushback.
Key figures
Robert Samuel: full-time professional line waiter and owner of Same Ole Line Dudes
Korem A.: Los Angeles-based line sitter on TaskRabbit who has completed over 84 line-waiting tasks
Ahmed H.: TaskRabbit line sitter in San Francisco who has completed one line-waiting task
Sources: eater.com
