Places That Hire at 14 in Jersey City, NJ: Key Takeaways
- 14-year-olds in Jersey City, NJ can work in entry-level restaurant jobs such as host/hostess, busser, dishwasher, and cashier positions.
- Fast food and fast casual chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Panera Bread, and Chipotle hire workers starting at age 14.
- Work hour limits in NJ restrict 14-year-olds to 18 hours per week during school and 40 hours per week during school breaks, with specific daily hour caps and time restrictions.
Finding jobs for 14-year-olds in Jersey City, NJ is possible mainly in the restaurant industry with key roles available at popular chains.
This article explains typical job types, top employers that hire at 14, work hour rules, and available resources for young workers and their families.
What Types of Jobs Can a 14-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Jersey City, NJ?
In Jersey City, NJ, 14-year-olds typically qualify for entry-level restaurant roles that introduce them to customer interaction and basic food service tasks.
Common positions include host/hostess who greet and seat customers, bussers who clear tables and support servers, dishwashers handling kitchen cleaning, and cashiers managing transactions. For more about the busser role, see the busser job description.
These jobs build foundational workplace skills such as responsibility, communication, and teamwork, while following health and safety rules.
Since New Jersey mandates work permits (“working papers”) for minors, it is important that young workers secure these before starting employment.
Employers looking to hire entry-level staff can benefit from our guide to hiring restaurant staff to streamline the recruitment process.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in Jersey City, NJ
Several fast-food chains in Jersey City welcome 14-year-old workers, offering flexible roles suitable for teens entering the workforce. For insight into the pros and cons of such positions, check out pros and cons of being a fast food worker.
McDonald's
McDonald's employs 14-year-olds as crew members assisting with food prep, customer service, and maintaining dining areas.
Burger King
Burger King hires teens for team member roles like cashiers and kitchen helpers who contribute to efficient restaurant operations.
Wendy's
Wendy's offers cashier and food preparation opportunities for young workers to learn food handling and customer interaction.
Chick-fil-A
At Chick-fil-A, 14-year-olds can work in front-of-house positions such as taking orders and assisting guests.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen welcomes young workers in roles including serving treats and managing registers, perfect for teens exploring food service jobs.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in Jersey City, NJ
Beyond fast food, fast-casual restaurants also hire 14-year-olds, providing experience in customer service and food preparation. Employers looking to hire staff should consider how to create attractive job descriptions to attract the best candidates.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread employs young workers as cashiers and food prep staff to support smooth customer service and kitchen duties.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle offers crew member roles that involve helping with fresh ingredient prep and serving guests in a fast-casual setting.
Panda Express
Panda Express hires 14-year-olds for team member positions assisting with order assembly and maintaining clean work areas.
How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Jersey City, NJ?
New Jersey law limits the working hours of 14-year-olds to protect their schooling and well-being while allowing valuable work experience.
When school is in session, 14-year-olds may work up to 18 hours weekly, with no more than 3 hours on school days and up to 8 hours on weekends.
Permitted work hours during the school year are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
During school breaks, the weekly limit increases to 40 hours with up to 8 hours daily allowed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., but these extended hours require parental approval.
All minors must have working papers before starting employment, and employers must provide a 30-minute meal break after 5 consecutive hours of work. For restaurants and employers managing such young workers, our HR policies for restaurants spotlight can be a helpful resource.
Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Jersey City, NJ
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Youth Employment
- New Jersey Child Labor Laws and Regulations
- For Employers of Workers Under 18 - NJ Department of Labor
Employers can also learn how to hire Gen Z in hospitality effectively to recruit young talent like 14-year-olds.