Places That Hire at 14 in Rochester, NY: Key Takeaways
- 14-year-olds in Rochester, NY can work in entry-level restaurant roles like cashier, host/hostess, and busser earning New York's minimum wage of $15/hour (2025).
- State law limits 14- and 15-year-olds to 3 hours of work on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, and max 18 hours per week during school sessions.
- Popular fast-food and fast-casual restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, Panera Bread, and Chipotle hire 14-year-olds for customer service and food prep roles.
Young teens in Rochester have access to various job opportunities primarily in food service at well-known restaurant chains.
This article highlights the types of jobs, top hiring restaurant chains, labor hour restrictions, and helpful resources.
What Types of Jobs Can a 14-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Rochester, NY?
For 14-year-olds looking to work in Rochester's restaurant scene, typical jobs are entry-level roles designed to teach basic workplace skills.
Common positions include cashier, host/hostess, and busser. These roles involve taking orders, assisting customers, helping manage dining areas, and sometimes basic food preparation.
Such jobs help develop responsibility, interpersonal skills, and food safety awareness, making them ideal starting points for young workers.
Before starting work, teens must obtain official employment certificates—known as working papers—from their school or the New York State Department of Labor to comply with labor laws.
Employers interested in hiring young workers can gain insights on effective server hiring tips to improve recruitment outcomes.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in Rochester, NY
Several fast-food restaurants in Rochester welcome 14-year-olds as crew members or team members, offering customer service and food handling duties.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires 14-year-olds for crew member positions where they assist with food prep, order taking, and serving customers promptly and courteously.
Burger King
Burger King employs young workers as cashiers and kitchen staff focusing on food assembly and customer interactions.
Wendy's
At Wendy's, 14-year-olds can work in roles that involve taking orders, preparing food, and ensuring a clean dining environment.
Restaurant owners looking to attract young talent may find valuable strategies in effective restaurant hiring practices.
Subway
Subway hires sandwich artists responsible for making sandwiches, handling cash transactions, and maintaining cleanliness.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen offers customer service and food preparation jobs suitable for young workers entering the workforce.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A employs 14-year-olds for front-of-house roles and kitchen assistance, emphasizing excellent customer service.
Arby's
Arby's team members may include 14-year-olds helping with food prep and customer service tasks.
KFC
KFC provides positions such as cashier and kitchen staff for young employees starting at age 14.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in Rochester, NY
Some fast-casual restaurants also recruit 14-year-olds for entry-level roles involving customer interaction and food service.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires cashiers and dining room associates who support order taking, food service, and maintaining the dining area.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
At Chipotle, crew members aged 14 assist in food prep and delivering friendly service to customers.
Hiring managers can explore how to hire fast-food workers efficiently to fill these positions.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company offers job opportunities in food handling and customer service for young workers.
How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Rochester, NY?
New York State law regulates work hours for 14- and 15-year-olds to protect their education and well-being.
During school days, teens may work up to 3 hours daily and a maximum of 18 hours across the week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
On non-school days, they can work up to 8 hours, with the weekly limit remaining 18 hours.
When school is not in session (summer break, holidays), the daily work limit extends to 8 hours and weekly to 40 hours, with permitted hours between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
These limits ensure young workers balance employment with schooling and rest.
Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Rochester, NY
- New York State Department of Labor: Hours of Work for Minors
- New York State Department of Labor: Working Papers
- New York State Education Department: Working Papers Hours for Minors
For more information on hiring best practices, employers can refer to the restaurant staff hiring spotlight.