Places That Hire at 14 in Springfield, MO: Key Takeaways
- 14-year-olds in Springfield, MO can work in entry-level positions such as cashier, dining room attendant, and food prep assistant in fast food and fast casual restaurants.
- Missouri minimum wage for these jobs is $12.00 per hour as of August 2025.
- Work hours for 14- and 15-year-olds are limited by Missouri law with distinct rules for school year and summer break periods.
Finding jobs at age 14 in Springfield, MO mainly involves restaurant roles suitable for beginners.
This article covers common job types, places hiring, legal working hours, and useful official resources for teens.
What Types of Jobs Can a 14-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Springfield, MO?
At age 14, employment opportunities often focus on basic customer service and food handling roles within restaurants.
Typical positions include cashier, dining room attendant who helps maintain seating areas and cleanliness, and food preparation assistant supporting kitchen staff with simple tasks.
These roles teach essentials such as using cash registers, providing friendly service, and following health and safety standards.
Employers looking to hire entry-level positions like cashier can refer to our how to hire a cashier guide to streamline their recruitment process.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in Springfield, MO
Several well-known fast-food chains in Springfield welcome 14-year-old employees for crew roles that combine customer interaction and food assembly.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires 14-year-olds as crew members where they assist in taking orders, serving customers, and maintaining a clean workspace.
For employers interested in hiring fast-food workers, the fast-food worker job description page offers valuable insights.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A employs young team members for roles like front counter service and helping with order fulfillment.
Culver's
Culver's offers job opportunities for teens 14 and older to engage in basic food preparation and customer service tasks.
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In hires young workers for roles including order taking and serving in a fast-paced environment.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen employs 14-year-olds primarily to help serve customers, prepare simple food items, and keep the store tidy.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in Springfield, MO
Fast casual restaurants also welcome 14-year-olds looking for entry-level jobs that balance front-of-house and kitchen duties.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires 14-year-olds for cashier and food prep positions where teamwork and customer service skills are developed.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company provides opportunities for teens to assist with food preparation and attend to customers as needed.
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Freddy's offers positions suitable for 14-year-olds involving cleaning, order assembly, and front-of-house support.
For more guidance on hiring restaurant staff, managers can benefit from our comprehensive restaurant staff hiring spotlight with tips and strategies.
How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Springfield, MO?
Missouri laws regulate teen work hours carefully to ensure schooling and rest are not compromised.
During the school year (Labor Day to June 1), 14-year-olds may work only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., limiting work to 3 hours on school days and 8 hours on non-school days.
They can work up to 6 days per week but no more than 40 hours in total during these weeks.
In the summer (June 1 to Labor Day), permissible work hours extend to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a maximum of 8 hours daily and 40 hours weekly, maintaining a 6-day cap.
Certain hazardous jobs such as operating machinery, cooking over open flames, or working where alcohol sales exceed 50% of revenue are prohibited for 14- and 15-year-olds.
Employers and teens should obtain a work certificate from the local public school superintendent to comply with these laws.
Employers should also be aware of HR policies for restaurants to ensure compliance and create a safe work environment for young workers.
Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Springfield, MO
- Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations - Youth Employment
- Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - Child Work Certificates
- Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations - Acceptable Work and Hours for Youth