Places That Hire at 14: Key Takeaways
- Federal Law & Age 14: Under U.S. law (FLSA), 15- and 14-year-olds can work non-hazardous jobs with strict hour limits (e.g. no more than 3 hours on a school day). Many states require a work permit or certificate for under-16 workers.
- Limited Hours: When school is in session, 14-year-olds can work up to 3 hours per school day (18 hours per week). During summer break, they can work up to 8 hours a day (40 hours per week), and only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. in summer).
- Entry-Level Roles: Jobs for 14-year-olds in restaurants/hospitality are typically entry-level: think cashier, busser, host/hostess, dishwasher, or ice cream scooper. Federal rules prohibit teens under 16 from cooking on open flames or using dangerous equipment.
- Who Hires at 14: Only a handful of employers take on 14-year-olds, mostly in fast food, quick-service restaurants, ice cream shops, and some entertainment venues.
Getting a job at 14 can feel tough – opportunities are limited and child labor laws are strict. But it is possible!
In the United States, federal law (the Fair Labor Standards Act) sets 14 as the minimum age for most jobs.
Still, young teens face challenges: work hours are restricted, many employers set their own age limits (often 16+), and nearly all states require a work permit or parental consent for 14-year-old employees.
This guide will walk you through what to expect at 14 – from legal hour limits to the types of restaurant and hospitality jobs you can do – and highlight real places that hire at 14.
Fast-Food Restaurants That Hire at 14
Fast-food chains are a classic first-job source for teens. The work is fast-paced and team-oriented, and many big chains have some positions suitable for 14-year-olds (usually with tasks away from dangerous equipment).
Here are some well-known fast-food restaurants that may hire at 14:
1. McDonald’s
As one of the world’s largest fast-food chains (14,000+ locations in the US), McDonald’s is often at the top of the list for 14 year old job seekers.
Some McDonald’s restaurants hire crew members as young as 14 years old, depending on state labor laws and the franchise owner.
Fourteen-year-old crew members typically work in roles like the dining room attendant, lobby cleaner, or cashier at the front counter – basically helping keep the restaurant clean, taking orders, and bagging food.
McDonald’s has three crew teams: kitchen crew, counter crew, and maintenance crew.
At 14, you’ll likely start on the counter or maintenance team (since cooking grills or handling the fryer is off-limits).
Hourly pay for a McDonald’s crew member is usually around the local minimum wage.
For example, one estimate says a 14-year-old at McDonald’s makes around $10 an hour on average, but this will vary by state (some pay as low as $7.25, others $12+ in higher minimum wage areas). You will almost certainly need a work permit at 14 – most McDonald’s locations require under-16 employees to have one.
Perks of working at McDonald’s can include an employee meal discount (free or discounted burgers and fries – yum!), flexible scheduling, and access to their Archways to Opportunity program which helps employees with educational costs.
How to apply: Many McDonald’s franchises take applications online.
You can also often apply in person – ask a manager for an application at your local McDonald’s. It can help to call ahead and ask if they hire at 14, so you don’t waste a trip if that location’s policy is 16+.
2. Chick-fil-A
This popular fast-food chain (with 2,000+ locations nationally) is known for its chicken sandwiches and friendly service.
Chick-fil-A is also known for sometimes hiring younger teens; in some states, 14-year-olds can work as a “Team Member” at Chick-fil-A.
Positions for teens at 14 are typically in the front of house – e.g. cashier, greeter, or dining area attendant – since minors can’t use hot kitchen equipment like grills or deep fryers.
Pay at Chick-fil-A is generally a bit above minimum wage; rates depend on the location, but you might expect around $9-$11/hour to start (some Chick-fil-A operators even offer ~$13 for high schoolers in certain markets).
One Reddit user noted that at their Chick-fil-A, 14 year olds earned $9/hour while older teens made a bit more.
Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Sundays, which many consider a perk for work-life balance – you’ll always have Sunday off for family, rest, or homework.
Some Chick-fil-A franchises also offer scholarships or tuition assistance to their teen employees as a benefit (this may vary by owner).
Applying is usually done online via the Chick-fil-A careers page or sometimes through a third-party site, but in-person applications are welcomed too.
It’s a good idea to dress neatly and ask to speak to a hiring manager at your local Chick-fil-A to express your interest.
Each Chick-fil-A is individually owned, so age policies can differ – check with your local restaurant about their minimum age.
3. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
KFC has thousands of locations nationwide, and in some areas they will hire 14-year-olds to help in the restaurant.
These young workers might be restricted to roles like lobby cleanup, table bussing, or taking orders at the counter.
A KFC team member at 14 would not be allowed to use the pressure fryers or other hazardous kitchen devices, but could do food prep like packing coleslaw, filling drink cups, or assembling orders.
Pay at KFC is similar to other fast food spots – expect somewhere around minimum wage for your state (for instance, $8-10/hour). Some locations may offer slightly higher pay or raises as you gain experience.
Special Requirements: You’ll likely need a work permit and permission from a parent. KFC might also require you to be at least in 9th grade – requirements can vary.
On the plus side, employee discounts on that fried chicken are often available (maybe a free meal on shift or 50% off).
Applying: Check KFC’s official website for job openings at specific locations. You can apply online, but it’s also a good strategy to visit your local KFC in person during off-peak hours to ask if they’re hiring teens and to pick up an application.
Check out open KFC positions on OysterLink!
4. Culver’s
Culver’s is a fast-food restaurant known for ButterBurgers and frozen custard, with around 900 locations (mostly in the Midwest).
Many Culver’s restaurants are very youth-friendly and do hire at 14 for positions like dining room attendant, runner, or custard stand helper.
Culver’s often employs 14- and 15-year-olds to clear tables, deliver food to dine-in customers, do light kitchen prep, and handle custodial tasks – giving young teens a supportive environment for a first job.
Pay at Culver’s can vary; some start at minimum wage, while others might pay a bit more. Since Culver’s tends to have a tip share for certain roles (like dining room servers who bring food out), you might occasionally get a small share of tips.
They’re also known for flexible schedules that accommodate school activities.
Perks: free or discounted frozen custard (!) and meals are common employee perks at Culver’s, plus a family-oriented atmosphere.
How to apply: You can check Culver’s official website for job openings by location or simply visit the restaurant and ask if they’re hiring.
Often, Culver’s will have a “Now Hiring” sign if they need staff. Fill out an application and be ready for a short interview on the spot. Mention any relevant skills – even if it’s just that you’re eager to learn and reliable about schedules.
5. Burger King
The “Home of the Whopper” occasionally hires 14 olds for entry roles like cashier, dining room attendant, or cleaner, though many BK locations stick to 16+.
Where legal, a 14-year-old at Burger King might do things like take orders, bag food, wipe tables, and restock condiments.
You won’t be manning the flame-broiler (grill) – that’s off-limits until you’re older.
Wages should meet at least the minimum; in some states Burger King starting pay can be $10-$11/hour, but in lower-wage areas it might be $8/hour for younger workers.
Perks: like most fast-food jobs, you can usually get a free or discounted meal each shift and scheduling is often flexible around school. Some Burger King franchises also offer performance bonuses or have reward programs for employees.
Applying: Head to the Burger King careers oage to see if your local franchise lists openings for crew under 16. It can also be effective to drop off a simple resume in person and ask for the hiring manager – a friendly smile and showing you’re eager can go a long way in a face-to-face introduction.
Check out open positions at BK on OysterLink!
How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work?
Fourteen-year-olds must balance work with school, so labor laws tightly limit their hours. According to federal law, if you’re 14 (or 15), you can only work outside of school hours and never during the school day.
Here are the key hour restrictions for 14-year-old workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA):
- During the School Year: You can work up to 3 hours per day on a school day (including Fridays), for a maximum of 18 hours per week when school is in session. For example, you might work a short evening shift after classes or a longer shift on Saturday, but your total weekdays + weekend hours can’t exceed 18 hours in a school week.
- On Non-School Days: On days when you don’t have school (e.g. weekends, holidays, snow days), you can work up to 8 hours that day. However, the 18-hour weekly cap still applies in a week with school days.
- During Summer Break (or any week school is not in session): You can work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week when school’s out. This means a full-time schedule is allowed only in summer or extended school breaks – though many employers will still limit weekly hours for young teens.
- Time of Day: Fourteen-year-olds cannot work early mornings or late nights. Work must be between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. during the school year. An exception extends evening hours to 9:00 p.m. in summer (June 1 through Labor Day). So no graveyard shifts or crack-of-dawn shifts for young teens!
- School Comes First: You must be off work during normal school hours (unless you’re homeschooled or in a special work-study program). Even if you’re ahead in school or have free periods, federal law says those daytime hours are off-limits for work when your local public school is in session.
Keep in mind, state laws can add extra restrictions. Some states limit total hours further or control what times of day you can work (for example, some states don’t allow any work during school weeks, or set earlier curfews).
Always check your state’s teen labor laws – but the rules above are the federal minimums that apply everywhere in the U.S.
Many states also require that 14- and 15-year-olds obtain a work permit (also called an employment certificate) before starting a job.
Typically, you’d get this through your school or state labor department, often with a parent/guardian’s help. Employers usually will ask for a copy of your work permit to keep on file.
What Types of Jobs Can 14-Year-Olds Do in Restaurants & Hospitality?
You might be wondering: “What exactly can I do at a restaurant if I’m only 14? Can I cook? Can I be a waiter?”
Given the labor laws, 14- and 15-year-olds are limited to certain types of tasks in restaurants and other hospitality businesses – mainly to ensure safety and a focus on age-appropriate work.
Here’s a breakdown of jobs that 14-year-olds can (and cannot) legally do in the restaurant/hospitality industry:
Cashier / Order Taker
Running the register, taking customer orders, and handling payment is a common role for young teens, as it doesn’t involve dangerous machinery.
Many fast-food restaurants will station a 14-15-year-old at the front counter or drive-thru window (with supervision) to take orders and make drinks. This helps you develop customer service skills.
Busser / Dining Room Attendant
Bussing tables (clearing dishes, wiping tables) and keeping the dining area tidy is perfectly allowable for 14-year-olds.
You might also refill ketchup bottles, restock napkins, and carry light loads of dishes to the sink area. It’s an active job and important for keeping the restaurant presentable.
Host/Hostess
In some family restaurants, a 14-year-old could work as a host/hostess – greeting guests, seating them, and perhaps taking drink orders (as long as it’s non-alcoholic beverages only).
This role is about being friendly and organized.
Food Prep (Limited)
Fourteen-year-olds can do certain food preparation tasks like washing and peeling vegetables, assembling simple items (like putting together salads or sandwiches in a cold prep area), portioning ingredients, or preparing drink orders (sodas, milkshakes).
The key is that these tasks must avoid any hazardous equipment or processes.
For example, making a sandwich or scooping fries into a bag is fine; using a meat slicer or a bakery oven is not.
They can also reheat food (say, using a microwave or warming oven) as needed.
In short, any job that is customer service-oriented, light cleaning, or simple food handling is usually okay for 14-year-olds.
These are all great ways to get experience, and they’re important jobs – you might be surprised how much responsibility you can be given in these roles once you prove yourself.
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