Places That Hire at 14 in Cedar Rapids, IA: Key Takeaways
- 14-year-olds in Cedar Rapids, IA, can find entry-level jobs in fast food and fast casual restaurants as cashiers, dining attendants, and food prep assistants.
- Popular fast-food chains hiring at 14 include McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Culver's, Dairy Queen, Wendy's, Arby's, and Subway.
- Iowa child labor laws allow 14-year-olds to work up to 28 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during breaks with specific daily hour limits and required breaks.
If you're 14 in Cedar Rapids and looking to work, several restaurants offer opportunities to start your career early.
This guide highlights common jobs, notable employers, legal hour restrictions, and resources to help you get started.
For employers looking to understand hiring trends, our restaurant staff hiring spotlight provides insightful strategies.
What Types of Jobs Can a 14-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Cedar Rapids, IA?
At 14, most restaurant jobs in Cedar Rapids focus on entry-level positions that build customer service and basic food handling skills.
Typical roles include cashiering, dining room attendant duties, limited food preparation, and keeping the dining area clean.
These jobs provide valuable experience while meeting Iowa's youth labor laws and are usually paid around the federal minimum wage.
For young workers interested in fast-food roles, the fast-food worker job description provides an excellent overview of the expected duties and skills needed.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in Cedar Rapids, IA
Several fast-food chains welcome 14-year-olds for crew and team member positions involving direct customer interaction and food service tasks.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires young workers as crew members who help with food prep, cashier duties, and maintaining cleanliness in the restaurant.
For hiring managers, our how to hire fast food staff guide is a helpful resource.
Burger King
Burger King offers team member roles including cashier operations, assembling food orders, and cleaning the dining area.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A employs 14-year-olds as front-of-house team members focusing on customer service and fulfilling orders efficiently.
Employers seeking to improve customer service can check out our top tips for hiring servers.
Culver's
Culver's hires 14-year-olds as crew assisting with food prep, cashier work, and keeping the restaurant clean and orderly.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen team members prepare frozen treats, serve customers, and maintain the store’s upkeep.
Wendy's
Wendy's employs crew members at 14 for cashiering, food prep, and dining room maintenance duties.
Arby's
Arby's hires young workers for customer service, assembling sandwiches, and cleaning responsibilities.
Subway
At Subway, 14-year-olds serve as sandwich artists making food to order and providing friendly customer service.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in Cedar Rapids, IA
Fast-casual restaurants offer accessible roles for teens to gain experience in food service and customer interaction.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires associates to manage food prep, customer orders, and keep the store clean and welcoming.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company employs 14-year-old team members who perform cashier duties, assist with food assembly, and tidy dining areas.
To understand more about related roles, see our cashier job description.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle offers crew roles for 14-year-olds covering food prep, customer service, and maintaining restaurant cleanliness.
How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Iowa law regulates work hours for 14-year-olds to protect their schooling and wellbeing.
During the school year (Labor Day through June 1), teens may work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., up to 6 hours on school days, 8 hours on weekends, and a maximum of 28 hours per week.
During non-school periods (June 1 through Labor Day), allowed work hours extend from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours weekly.
Shifts lasting 5 hours or more require a 30-minute break, ensuring proper rest and compliance.
Employers also need to align with federal laws such as the FLSA, which govern minimum age and hazardous occupations.
Employers can learn more details about labor laws in our age requirement in job posting spotlight.
Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Child Labor Information
- U.S. Department of Labor - YouthRules!
- Iowa Division of Labor - Child Labor Laws
If you're starting in hospitality, check out our easy jobs that pay well in the restaurant industry for teens.