Places That Hire at 14 in Orange, CA

Places That Hire at 14 in Orange, CA: Key Takeaways

14-year-olds in Orange, CA can work in non-hazardous roles like host/hostess, busser, cashier, and dishwasher within restaurants.
Fast food chains such as McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Burger King hire 14-year-olds for entry-level positions supporting food prep and customer service.
California restricts work hours for 14- and 15-year-olds to a max of 18 hours/week during school with specific daily limits, plus work permits are required.

Many restaurants in Orange, California provide job opportunities for 14-year-olds to earn minimum wage and gain work experience.

This article covers typical entry-level restaurant jobs, popular employers, permitted work hours, and useful local resources.

For employers looking to efficiently hire young workers, see our restaurant staff hiring guide for best practices.

What Types of Jobs Can a 14-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Orange, CA?

At age 14, California law allows work in certain non-hazardous restaurant jobs that focus on customer interaction and basic food service tasks.

Common roles include:

Host/Hostess: Greeting and seating customers to create a welcoming dining experience.
Busser: Clearing tables and assisting servers to maintain a clean environment.
Cashier: Handling customer transactions accurately and efficiently.
Dishwasher: Cleaning dishes and kitchen equipment to support kitchen operations.

These positions help teens develop teamwork, responsibility, and customer service skills in a restaurant setting.

Employers can find detailed busser job descriptions and hostess job descriptions to better define roles suitable for young workers.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in Orange, CA

Several popular fast-food chains in Orange hire 14-year-olds for crew member roles involving cashier duties, food preparation, and customer interaction.

McDonald's

McDonald's employs 14-year-olds as crew members who perform various tasks such as cashiering and assisting in food prep, providing a great starting point in fast food service.

See our guide on how to hire a cashier if you manage a fast-food location.

Chick-fil-A

This chain hires 14-year-olds for team member roles that include front counter service and basic kitchen tasks, offering expert training and teamwork experience.

Burger King

Burger King welcomes young workers as cashiers and kitchen assistants, helping them understand order handling and efficient customer service in a fast-paced environment.

Arby's

Arby's provides job opportunities for 14-year-olds in cashier and food preparation roles, focusing on quick service and accuracy.

KFC

KFC hires 14-year-olds for team member positions, including cashier and cook duties that introduce essential food handling techniques.

Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in Orange, CA

Fast-casual restaurants also offer entry-level positions suitable for teenagers new to the workforce.

Culver's

Culver's hires 14-year-olds primarily for cashier and food preparation roles, emphasizing customer support and kitchen assistance.

Boston Market

Boston Market employs young workers as cashiers and servers, focusing on customer service in a fast-casual dining setting.

Rita's Italian Ice

Rita's hires teens for customer service and cashier roles that involve serving guests and handling transactions efficiently.

If you manage hiring, our guide to hiring a restaurant consultant can help streamline operations and recruitment.

How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Orange, CA?

California has specific labor laws protecting 14- and 15-year-olds by limiting the number of hours and times they can work.

When school is in session, 14-year-olds may work:

Up to 3 hours on school days outside school hours.
Up to 8 hours on non-school days.
A maximum of 18 hours per week.
During permitted hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Labor Day through May 31).

When school is not in session (June 1 through Labor Day), permitted work includes:

Up to 8 hours per day.
Up to 40 hours per week.
Allowed working hours extended from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

These restrictions help ensure teens balance work with education and rest.

Additionally, 14-year-olds must obtain a work permit from their school before starting employment in California.

Employers should be familiar with California overtime laws to maintain compliance when scheduling younger workers.

Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Orange, CA

To support your hiring decisions, review tips on how to hire a kitchen manager and optimize your restaurant staffing.

01. What kind of jobs can 14-year-olds do in Orange, CA?

14-year-olds in Orange, CA can work in non-hazardous roles like host, busser, cashier, and dishwasher in restaurants.

02. Which fast food restaurants hire 14-year-olds in Orange?

Fast food chains such as McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Burger King, Arby's, and KFC commonly hire 14-year-olds for entry-level roles.

03. What are the legal work hour limits for 14-year-olds in California?

During school, 14-year-olds may work up to 18 hours per week, with no more than 3 hours on school days and 8 hours on non-school days.

04. Do 14-year-olds need work permits in Orange, CA?

Yes, 14-year-olds must obtain a work permit from their school before employment in California.

05. What skills do 14-year-olds gain from restaurant jobs?

Teens develop teamwork, responsibility, and customer service skills through roles such as cashier, busser, and host.