Places That Hire at 15 in OR: Key Takeaways
- 15-year-olds in OR can work in entry-level restaurant positions such as host/hostess, busser, cashier, and food runner.
- Popular fast-food chains like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Subway, and Burger King hire workers aged 15 for various roles.
- Federal and state labor laws limit work hours for 15-year-olds during school and non-school sessions to ensure balance with education.
Many restaurants in Oregon hire 15-year-olds, offering valuable work experience while adhering to labor regulations.
This article highlights typical jobs, top hiring chains, work hour rules, and essential resources for young job seekers in OR.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in OR?
At age 15, individuals can pursue various entry-level roles in the restaurant sector that comply with labor laws protecting youth workers.
Common positions include host or hostess, who greet and seat guests while managing reservations to maintain smooth service flow.
Bussers clear and reset tables, assisting servers by maintaining a clean dining area.
Cashiers manage transactions at the register and provide receipts, contributing to front-of-house operations.
Food runners expedite orders from the kitchen to customers promptly and accurately, supporting efficient meal service.
These roles help teens build customer service, teamwork, and multitasking skills essential for future employment.
For employers looking to hire, here is a useful guide to hiring restaurant staff that can streamline your recruitment process.
Learn more about the hostess job description, busser job description, and food runner job description to better define roles for teen workers.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in OR
Fast-food restaurants provide accessible job opportunities for 15-year-olds to gain work experience in dynamic environments.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires 15-year-olds as crew members who handle food preparation, customer service, and maintaining cleanliness.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A team members aged 15 assist with taking orders, serving customers, and general front-of-house duties.
Subway
Subway employs sandwich artists at age 15 who prepare food items, handle cash registers, and maintain store hygiene.
Burger King
At Burger King, 15-year-old team members manage customer orders, participate in food prep, and keep dining areas tidy.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen hires 15-year-olds for roles involving customer service, food prep, and maintaining a clean environment.
KFC
KFC team members aged 15 assist with food prep, customer service, and overall restaurant upkeep.
Arby's
Arby's offers crew positions for 15-year-olds to help with food preparation, customer interactions, and cleanliness.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell employs 15-year-olds to handle customer orders, food assembly, and dining area maintenance.
Consider reviewing the role of a fast food worker job description to optimize job postings for this age group.
For effective hiring, check out how to hire a cashier and how to hire servers, which apply well to fast-food settings.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in OR
Fast-casual dining establishments also provide 15-year-olds with rewarding customer service and food prep experiences.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires associates aged 15 for cashiering, food preparation, and assisting customers.
Culver's
Culver's team members support food prep, customer service, and cleanliness duties suitable for 15-year-olds.
Boston Market
Boston Market employs crew members at 15 to assist with food preparation and general restaurant maintenance.
Employers who want to improve recruiting can find tips in our guide to hiring a restaurant consultant to make hiring easier and more effective.
Also, exploring cashier job descriptions and hostess job descriptions can help clarify expectations for teen employees.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in OR?
Federal labor laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) apply to 15-year-olds, with states possibly enacting additional rules.
During the school year, 15-year-olds may work up to 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Outside of school sessions, such as summer break, the limits extend to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
Permitted work hours from June 1 through Labor Day last from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Oregon's minimum wages vary regionally, ranging approximately between $13.50 and $14.75 per hour as of 2025, above the federal standard.
It's important for teens and employers in OR to verify state-specific labor laws to ensure full compliance.
Employers can also explore best practices with restaurant HR policies to ensure compliance and smooth operations.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in OR
- U.S. Department of Labor - Youth Employment
- Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries - Child Labor Laws
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) - Child Labor Provisions