Places That Hire at 15 in Buffalo, NY: Key Takeaways
- 15-year-olds in Buffalo, NY can find entry-level jobs such as cashier, dining room attendant, and food preparation assistant in fast food and fast casual restaurants.
- Popular fast food chains hiring at 15 include McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen, Subway, KFC, and Taco Bell.
- New York State restricts teen work hours for 15-year-olds to a maximum of 18 hours per week during school and 40 hours per week during breaks with specific daily limits and time rules.
Buffalo offers various opportunities for 15-year-olds to gain work experience, mostly in restaurant roles that teach customer service and food handling.
This article covers common job types, major fast-food and fast casual employers, work hour limits, and useful resources.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Buffalo, NY?
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in Buffalo, NY
At age 15, job options in Buffalo's restaurant industry mainly involve entry-level roles ideal for gaining experience.
These roles typically include cashier, dining room attendant, and food preparation assistant where basic customer service skills and food handling are essential.
Young workers learn workplace professionalism while performing duties such as taking orders, assembling food, serving customers, and maintaining cleanliness.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires young workers as crew members who provide customer service and help with food preparation tasks.
Burger King
Burger King offers team member roles involving cashier duties, food assembly, and store cleanliness that 15-year-olds can perform.
Wendy's
At Wendy's, 15-year-olds work as crew members focusing on customer service, food prep, and dining area upkeep.
For employers looking to recruit effectively at fast food establishments, consider this guide to hiring fast food staff to streamline your recruitment process.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A employs 15-year-olds for front-of-house and kitchen duties, providing valuable experience in customer interaction and food handling.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen offers crew member positions such as serving ice cream treats, cash register operation, and maintaining store cleanliness.
Subway
Subway hires 15-year-olds as sandwich artists performing food preparation, customer service, and store maintenance tasks.
KFC
KFC positions for 15-year-olds include assisting with food prep, cashier duties, and upkeep of the restaurant environment.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell employs team members aged 15 to handle customer service, food preparation, and dining area cleaning.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in Buffalo, NY
Fast-casual dining establishments also provide opportunities for 15-year-olds to gain food service experience.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires associates who assist with customer service, food preparation, and maintaining a clean dining space.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle offers crew member roles to 15-year-olds responsible for preparing fresh food, serving customers, and cleaning.
Five Guys
Five Guys employs 15-year-olds as crew members focusing on food prep, cashier tasks, and maintaining cleanliness in the restaurant.
For managers and supervisors in busy kitchens, reviewing the best practices for hiring kitchen managers can help build a strong team.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in Buffalo, NY?
New York State labor laws provide clear limits to ensure teens balance work and school commitments.
When school is in session, a 15-year-old may work up to 3 hours on school days and 8 hours on non-school days with a total maximum of 18 hours per week.
Permitted work hours during the school year are between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
During school vacations, such as summer break, teens may work up to 8 hours per day and a maximum of 40 hours per week.
In that period, allowed working hours extend from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. from June 21 through Labor Day.
These rules protect educational priorities while enabling teens to gain work experience safely.
Employers should also be aware of these regulations and consider the age requirements in job postings to ensure compliance and attract suitable candidates.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Buffalo, NY
- New York State Department of Labor: Hours of Work for Minors
- New York State Education Department: Working Papers Hours for Minors
- New York State Department of Labor: Youth Worker Information Hub
Businesses looking to optimize their hiring and retention strategies can benefit from insights offered in Restaurant Staff Hiring Best Practices, addressing unique challenges in the hospitality sector.