Places That Hire at 14 in Des Moines, IA: Key Takeaways
- 14-year-olds in Des Moines, IA can work in entry-level restaurant jobs such as cashier and dining room attendant, earning around $8 to $10 per hour.
- Fast food and fast casual chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Culver's, and Dairy Queen commonly hire 14-year-olds.
- Iowa labor laws allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work up to 28 hours per week during school sessions and 40 hours during breaks with specific time limits, but federal law often imposes stricter limits.
Many restaurants in Des Moines, IA welcome 14-year-old employees for customer service and light food prep roles.
Employers looking to staff their restaurants effectively can benefit from insights on restaurant staff hiring strategies.
This guide covers typical job types, popular employers, work hour rules, and resources for young job seekers.
What Types of Jobs Can a 14-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Des Moines, IA?
At age 14, teens typically fill entry-level positions in restaurants where they gain early work experience.
Common roles include cashiering, dining room attendant duties, and limited food preparation tasks. These roles emphasize customer interaction and maintaining cleanliness.
For employers, creating detailed restaurant job descriptions can help attract the right entry-level candidates efficiently.
The hourly wage typically ranges from $8 to $10 depending on the employer and job specifics.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in Des Moines, IA
Several major fast-food chains hire 14-year-olds for frontline roles that involve customer service and food support.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires 14-year-olds as crew members focused on assisting customers and basic food preparation.
Burger King
Burger King offers cashier and dining area attendant positions suitable for younger teens.
Chick-fil-A
At Chick-fil-A, 14-year-olds take on front-of-house duties such as order taking and maintaining dining area cleanliness.
Culver's
Culver's employs young workers in roles involving customer service and simple food prep tasks.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen offers cashier and ice cream preparation jobs ideal for 14-year-olds.
Subway
Subway hires 14-year-olds as sandwich artists and cashiers handling customer orders.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut employs younger teens for order taking and dining room maintenance.
KFC
KFC opens customer service and basic food prep roles to workers aged 14 and up.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in Des Moines, IA
Fast-casual establishments also hire 14-year-olds for entry-level jobs focused on customer engagement and basic food service.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread offers cashier and dining room attendant roles suitable for younger workers.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company hires 14-year-olds for customer service and light food prep duties.
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How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Des Moines, IA?
Iowa law governs the working hours for 14- and 15-year-olds to ensure balanced work and schooling.
While school is in session (Labor Day through June 1), work is allowed between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., with up to 6 hours on school days, 8 hours on weekends, and a maximum of 28 hours per week.
During summer and school breaks (June 1 through Labor Day), work hours extend between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., with up to 8 hours per day and a maximum of 40 hours per week.
However, federal law imposes stricter limits requiring work hours between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year with a maximum of 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week, and until 9 p.m. in summer with up to 8 hours per day.
Employers must comply with the stricter of federal and state rules where differences occur.
Work hour policies are an important aspect of hospitality labor laws; see our HR policies for restaurant for more compliance tips.
Iowa also requires a 30-minute break after 5 consecutive hours of work for 14- and 15-year-olds, which can be paid or unpaid.
Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Child Labor
- U.S. Department of Labor - YouthRules!
- University of Iowa Human Resources - Youth Employment Laws
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