Places That Hire at 15 in Cape Girardeau, MO: Key Takeaways
- 15-year-olds in Cape Girardeau, MO can work in food service, clerical, and retail roles within restaurants with state restrictions.
- Fast food and fast casual restaurants like McDonald's, Burger King, Panera Bread, and Chipotle commonly hire 15-year-olds for entry-level positions.
- Missouri limits work hours for 14- and 15-year-olds to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. during the school year, extending to 9 p.m. during summer, with maximum weekly hours of 40.
If you're 15 and looking for work in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the restaurant industry is a great place to start gaining experience.
This guide covers job types, top employers, work hour restrictions, and resources for young workers in Cape Girardeau.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Cape Girardeau, MO?
At 15, Missouri law allows you to work in certain roles in the restaurant industry, focusing on safe and appropriate duties.
Typical job positions include food service delivery, where you help prepare and serve food and beverages, as well as clerical tasks like office support.
Many 15-year-olds also work in retail-related tasks such as cashiering, price marking, bagging, selling, and shelving items within the restaurant setting. For employers looking to hire younger workers, understanding these roles is important; see our guide on how to hire a cashier to optimize your hiring process.
It is important to note that some tasks are prohibited for under-16 workers, including operating power-driven machinery, working with hot oil, or in freezers and meat coolers.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in Cape Girardeau, MO
Fast-food chains often have entry-level roles suitable for 15-year-olds, which include customer service, food prep, and cashier positions. Employers can find tips on efficiently staffing fast-food workers in how to hire fast food staff, aiding better recruitment and retention.
McDonald's
McDonald's commonly hires 15-year-olds as crew members, where tasks include taking orders, assembling food, and maintaining cleanliness.
Burger King
At Burger King, 15-year-olds can work as team members assisting with food prep, cashier duties, and customer service.
Wendy's
Wendy's offers entry-level roles for teens involving order taking, food preparation, and general customer interaction.
Taco Bell
15-year-olds at Taco Bell typically perform front counter duties and help with food assembly to provide fast service.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A hires young workers to help with customer orders and food service in a fast-paced environment. For fast-casual and fast-food restaurant owners, our spotlight on hiring staff that customers love offers valuable insights to improve your hiring approach.
Arby's
Arby's team members aged 15 assist with sandwich preparation, order taking, and maintaining a clean work area.
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic offers 15-year-olds the chance to work in various roles including order taker and food prep crew.
Hardee's
Hardee's hires young crew for front-line service and kitchen assistance duties.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in Cape Girardeau, MO
Fast-casual restaurants also provide opportunities for 15-year-olds to learn the basics of food service and customer care.
Owners looking to recruit young workers effectively may benefit from the guide to hiring a restaurant consultant to improve hiring and training strategies in this segment.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread employs 15-year-olds in roles such as cashier and food prep to help with bakery and café operations.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle hires team members aged 15 to assist with preparing fresh ingredients and serving customers efficiently.
Qdoba Mexican Eats
Qdoba offers entry-level positions for 15-year-olds focused on food preparation, assembling orders, and cashier duties.
Culver's
Culver's hires young workers to assist with customer service and kitchen helper roles in their restaurants.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Missouri law strictly regulates the working hours of 14- and 15-year-olds to protect their health and education.
During the school year (Labor Day to June 1), work hours are limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a maximum of 3 hours on school days and up to 8 hours on non-school days.
Weekly work hours cannot exceed 40, with no more than 6 days worked per week.
During summer vacation (June 1 to Labor Day), the allowed work hours extend to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with up to 8 hours per day and still a maximum of 40 hours per week and 6 days.
In specific situations, such as working at a regional fair, work hours may be extended until 10:30 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations: Youth Employment
- Missouri Youth Employment Acceptable Work and Hours
- Missouri Work Certificates and Work Permits for Minors
Young workers interested in food service roles might find helpful tips in our fast food worker job description, giving a clear outline of potential tasks and expectations.