Places That Hire at 14 in US

Places That Hire at 14 in US: Key Takeaways

14-year-olds can work in restaurants in entry-level roles such as host/hostess, busser, dishwasher, cashier, and food preparation assistant under federal law.
Popular fast food and fast-casual chains like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Culver's, and Dairy Queen hire 14-year-olds depending on franchise policy and state law.
Federal restrictions limit 14-year-olds to 3 hours per school day and 18 hours weekly during school, with expanded hours during breaks; hours generally allowed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (or 9 p.m. in summer).

Finding restaurant jobs at 14 in the US requires knowing which roles and employers are available along with federal and state labor laws.

This guide covers common jobs, top chains hiring at 14, work hour limits, and useful resources.

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

At age 14, the Fair Labor Standards Act permits teens to hold non-hazardous positions in restaurants.

Typical roles include host/hostess greeting and seating guests, bussers clearing tables, dishwashers cleaning utensils, cashiers handling transactions, and food preparation assistants performing simple tasks under supervision.

Learn more about the busser job description to understand their key responsibilities.

These jobs help build customer service skills and basic food industry experience, though 14-year-olds cannot operate power-driven kitchen machines or do cooking involving open flames or deep fryers.

For employers looking to recruit young talent, see our restaurant staff hiring guide to attract and retain the best candidates.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in US

Several national fast-food chains allow 14-year-olds to join as crew members or cashiers, providing entry points into the workforce.

McDonald's

McDonald's franchises often hire 14-year-olds for crew member roles that include food prep, customer service, and maintaining cleanliness, depending on location and franchise policies.

Chick-fil-A

Some Chick-fil-A locations employ 14-year-olds as cashiers or dining room attendants, with duties focused on customer interaction and maintaining order.

Fast food employers can benefit from our how to hire a cashier tips to find reliable entry-level workers efficiently.

Culver's

Certain Culver's franchises hire 14-year-olds as cashiers or dining room assistants helping with food delivery and customer service tasks.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen may hire 14-year-olds for cashier and customer service positions involving beverage preparation and order taking.

Arby's

At select Arby's locations, 14-year-olds can work in customer service roles assisting with orders and basic food prep under guidance.

Baskin-Robbins

Baskin-Robbins hires some 14-year-olds as ice cream scoopers, helping customers with product selection and serving.

Pizza Hut

Certain Pizza Hut franchises employ 14-year-olds as cashiers and customer service associates performing order taking and front counter duties.

If you're interested in kitchen roles as these young workers progress in their career, check out the guide on how to hire a cook.

KFC

KFC may hire 14-year-olds for customer service and cashier roles, depending on the franchise and compliance with child labor laws.

Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in US

Some fast-casual restaurants also offer opportunities for 14-year-olds in entry-level positions focused on customer service and food prep.

Chick-fil-A

Again, in addition to fast food, Chick-fil-A provides fast-casual service with roles for 14-year-olds including front-of-house customer service.

Employers can use our tips for hiring servers or waiters to improve recruitment strategies for front-of-house positions.

How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in US?

The Fair Labor Standards Act places clear limits on how many hours 14-year-olds can work to protect their education and well-being.

During the school year, 14-year-olds may work a maximum of 3 hours per school day and no more than 18 hours per week.

Work is permitted only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. while school is in session.

During school breaks such as summer, the restrictions ease, allowing up to 8 hours on a non-school day and up to 40 hours per week.

Summer hours extend until 9:00 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day to accommodate seasonal increased opportunities.

Note that individual states may enforce stricter rules or additional requirements, so it's essential to review your state’s labor laws as well.

Employers interested in compliance can benefit from insights in our hospitality job posting compliance spotlight.

Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in US

Those new hires starting as dishwashers might find our dishwasher job description helpful to understand the role better.

01. What jobs are available for 14-year-olds in restaurants?

Entry-level positions such as host/hostess, busser, dishwasher, cashier, and food prep assistant are commonly available for 14-year-olds.

02. Which fast-food chains hire 14-year-olds?

Chains like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Culver's, Dairy Queen, Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Pizza Hut, and KFC hire 14-year-olds depending on franchise rules and state labor laws.

03. How many hours can a 14-year-old work during the school year?

During the school year, 14-year-olds can work up to 3 hours per day and no more than 18 hours weekly, with work permitted between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

04. Are there opportunities in fast-casual restaurants for 14-year-olds?

Yes, some fast-casual restaurants like Chick-fil-A offer entry-level positions focused on customer service and food prep.

05. Where can I find more information about labor laws for 14-year-olds?

The U.S. Department of Labor website provides detailed information on child labor provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act and other relevant rules.