Places That Hire at 14 in Buffalo, NY: Key Takeaways
- 14-year-olds in Buffalo can find jobs mainly in restaurant roles like cashier, dining room attendant, and kitchen assistant with starting wages near $15.50/hour.
- Major fast food chains hiring 14-year-olds include McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen, Subway, KFC, and Arby's.
- Fast casual restaurants such as Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Five Guys also offer entry-level positions suitable for 14-year-olds.
- New York State limits working hours for 14-year-olds to protect their education and well-being, with stricter hours during school terms.
Younger teens in Buffalo, NY, have several opportunities to get their first jobs, especially in the food service industry.
Employers looking to staff these roles can benefit from our comprehensive restaurant staff hiring guide.
This guide details potential jobs, popular employers, work hour regulations, and helpful resources for 14-year-olds.
What Types of Jobs Can a 14-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Buffalo, NY?
Typically, 14-year-olds are eligible for entry-level roles where they can gain experience and customer service skills.
Roles such as cashier positions provide excellent training ground for young workers starting in hospitality.
Common positions include cashier, dining room attendant, and kitchen assistant roles involving food prep and cleaning.
These jobs help young workers learn workplace safety, teamwork, and basic hospitality skills while following hygiene and labor regulations.
Employers seeking to build effective job postings for these roles can use our guide to creating restaurant job descriptions.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in Buffalo, NY
Many popular fast-food restaurants in Buffalo hire 14-year-olds for team member roles that provide valuable work experience.
Those interested in fast-food roles can explore details about the fast-food worker job description which covers typical duties and expectations suitable for young entrants.
McDonald's
McDonald's offers crew member and cashier roles for workers aged 14, involving order taking, food preparation, and customer service.
Burger King
Burger King hires young team members to assist with kitchen tasks and cashier duties.
Wendy's
Wendy's employs 14-year-olds as crew members and cashiers who support food service and maintain dining areas.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A provides back-of-house team member positions where younger employees assist in food preparation and kitchen support.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen hires 14-year-olds for roles such as cashier and food preparer, focusing on customer interaction and food quality.
Subway
Subway offers positions like sandwich artist and cashier, ideal for young workers developing food assembly and service skills.
KFC
KFC’s team member roles for 14-year-olds include food prep and customer service tasks aligned with safety guidelines.
Arby's
Arby's hires young workers as cashiers and kitchen assistants, with hands-on training in fast-food operations.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in Buffalo, NY
Some fast casual spots also provide opportunities for young employees to develop food service experience.
Managing kitchen staff effectively is key even in entry-level roles. Our spotlight on how to hire reliable kitchen staff can aid employers in these efforts.
Panera Bread
Positions such as cashier and dining room attendant are available for 14-year-olds at Panera Bread.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle occasionally hires 14-year-olds as crew members who help with ingredient prep and customer service.
Five Guys
Five Guys offers roles like cashier and food preparer suitable for younger workers learning the industry.
How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Buffalo, NY?
New York State has clear regulations to help balance work, education, and rest for 14- and 15-year-old workers.
When school is in session, 14-year-olds may work no more than 3 hours on a school day and up to 8 hours on a Saturday or a day without school.
Total work time is limited to 18 hours per week, with no more than 6 work days weekly. Work is prohibited between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
During school vacations or breaks, the limits loosen to allow up to 8 hours daily and a 40-hour weekly maximum, without more than 6 days worked weekly.
Work hours during breaks cannot be between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
These rules protect young workers while providing safe opportunities to earn and gain experience.
Employers should be aware of labor laws and best practices for youth workers. Check out this spotlight on how to hire Gen Z in hospitality for practical advice.
Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Buffalo, NY
- New York State Department of Labor: Hours of Work for Minors
- New York State Department of Labor: Youth Worker Information Hub
- New York State Department of Labor: Employment of Minors
For more information about starting careers in hospitality, young workers and parents can explore career pathways, including the line cook job description and other entry-level kitchen roles.