Places That Hire at 15 in DeKalb, IL: Key Takeaways
- 15-year-olds in DeKalb, IL commonly find jobs in fast food and fast casual restaurants with wages around $10-$12 per hour.
- Entry-level roles include cashier, dining room attendant, and limited food preparation without hazardous equipment.
- Illinois law limits 15-year-olds' work hours to 3 hours on school days and 24 hours weekly during school, extending up to 8 hours daily and 48 weekly in summer.
Teenagers aged 15 in DeKalb, IL have opportunities primarily in popular fast food and fast casual chains offering foundational work experience.
This article details job types, top local employers hiring teens at 15, work hour regulations, and resources for youth employment compliance.
Employers looking to hire young workers can gain valuable insights from our restaurant staff hiring guide to optimize their recruitment process.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in DeKalb, IL?
At 15 years old, job options focus on entry-level positions that allow teens to develop basic work skills and customer interaction experience.
Common job roles include cashier, dining room attendant, and limited food preparation tasks that avoid hazardous machinery.
These jobs typically involve greeting customers, handling cash registers, assembling simple food orders, cleaning dining areas, and restocking supplies.
If you are an employer wondering how to hire a cashier, there are best practices that can help streamline the hiring process for these young workers.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in DeKalb, IL
Several well-known fast-food chains in DeKalb welcome 15-year-olds to join their teams in various entry-level positions.
McDonald's
McDonald's employs 15-year-olds as crew members, assisting with customer service and basic food preparation duties.
Burger King
Burger King hires team members aged 15 who perform cashiering and restaurant cleanliness tasks.
Wendy's
Wendy's offers roles for teens in customer service and maintenance of the dining area.
Those interested in wearing multiple hats might explore career growth from fast food worker to more advanced roles; see the fast food worker job description for more details.
Taco Bell
At Taco Bell, 15-year-olds can take orders and assist with front-of-house responsibilities.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A hires young workers for customer service and food assembly roles.
Culver's
Culver's employs 15-year-olds in guest services and food preparation tasks.
Subway
Subway provides positions focused on sandwich assembly and interaction with customers.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen hires 15-year-olds for roles in basic food prep and serving customers.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in DeKalb, IL
Fast-casual restaurants also offer opportunities for 15-year-olds looking to gain food service experience and customer care skills.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires associates aged 15 for cashier duties and dining area maintenance.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle offers roles in customer service and food assembly for 15-year-olds.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company employs teens as guest service staff and kitchen helpers.
Panda Express
Panda Express hires 15-year-olds to handle customer interactions and basic food handling tasks.
Jimmy John's
Jimmy John's provides sandwich making and customer service positions for workers aged 15.
For employers wanting to attract reliable young workers, the guide to hiring reliable kitchen staff can also apply to front-of-house young employees.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in DeKalb, IL?
Illinois and federal child labor laws set clear limits to protect the welfare and education of 15-year-olds working in DeKalb.
During the school year, 15-year-olds may work up to 3 hours on school days, ensuring total hours spent on school and work combined does not exceed 8 hours daily.
They can work up to 8 hours on days without school, with a maximum of 24 hours per week and no more than 6 consecutive days.
Summer work hours, from June 1 through Labor Day, are extended to up to 8 hours daily (between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.) and 48 hours per week, still not exceeding 6 consecutive days.
Employers must also provide a 30-minute meal break if teens work more than 5 continuous hours.
These legal restrictions ensure young workers balance their job responsibilities with rest and schooling commitments.
Employers can benefit from reviewing the steps in the hiring process to stay compliant with labor regulations when hiring teens.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in DeKalb, IL
- Illinois Department of Labor - Child Labor Law
- Illinois Child Labor Law Statute
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity - Child Labor Laws
Job seekers aged 15 can prepare for interviews with our collection of cashier interview questions, which are highly relevant for teens entering the workforce.