Places That Hire at 15 in Riverside, CA: Key Takeaways
- 15-year-olds in Riverside, CA can work in entry-level restaurant roles such as cashier, host/hostess, and dining area attendant.
- Fast-food chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, and Taco Bell hire workers at age 15 for various customer service and crew positions.
- California limits 15-year-old work hours to 3 hours on school days and 18 hours per week during school, with extended hours allowed during school breaks.
Teens aged 15 in Riverside have several options for starting work, mainly in fast food and fast casual dining.
This article covers job types, notable employers hiring at 15, work hour rules, and helpful resources for young workers and their families.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Riverside, CA?
Fifteen-year-olds generally qualify for entry-level roles in the Riverside restaurant scene.
Typical positions include cashier, host or hostess, and dining area attendant where they assist with seating guests, handling payments, and maintaining cleanliness.
These jobs offer great experience in customer service with wages starting around California's minimum wage, which as of August 2025 is $16.00 per hour.
For more insight on responsibilities and skills needed, check out our cashier job description and hostess job description pages.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in Riverside, CA
Many nationwide fast-food chains hire 15-year-olds for crew and service roles, providing accessible entry points into the workforce.
McDonald's
McDonald's is known for welcoming young employees, hiring 15-year-olds as crew members and cashiers who help with food prep and customer service.
Employers can benefit from restaurant staff hiring strategies to attract and retain young talent.
Burger King
Burger King often offers team member roles for 15-year-olds, including dining area attendants and cashiers responsible for customer interaction and maintaining the restaurant environment.
Chick-fil-A
Certain Chick-fil-A locations hire 15-year-olds for cashier positions and hospitality team roles that focus on providing excellent customer experiences.
Arby's
Arby's allows 15-year-olds to work as cashiers and dining room attendants, helping with order processing and serving duties.
KFC
KFC employs 15-year-old team members and customer service associates for positions that include assisting guests and supporting food prep activities.
Subway
Some Subway restaurants hire 15-year-olds as sandwich artists and cashiers, engaging customers and preparing food.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen hires 15-year-olds as crew members and cashiers, typically helping with serving guests and food preparation.
Taco Bell
Certain Taco Bell locations hire 15-year-olds for team member roles, including front counter support and dining area maintenance.
Restaurants looking to improve their hiring process can explore tips in our guide on how to hire high performers.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in Riverside, CA
Fast-casual restaurants also provide opportunities for teens to build work skills in a casual dining atmosphere.
Panera Bread
Some Panera Bread stores hire 15-year-olds as cashiers and dining room attendants, where employees assist with customer orders and restaurant upkeep.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle occasionally hires 15-year-olds for cashier and dining area attendant roles that support food service operations.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company offers cashier and dining room attendant positions to 15-year-olds, focusing on customer interaction and maintaining a clean dining space.
To better manage your team, consider learning how to hire servers effectively for smooth restaurant operation.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in Riverside, CA?
California law places strict limits on how many hours 15-year-olds can work to prioritize education and safety.
When school is in session, 15-year-olds may work up to 3 hours on school days, always outside of school hours.
They can work up to 8 hours on non-school days but no more than 18 hours per week.
Permissible work times during school weeks are between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
When school is not in session, youths can work up to 8 hours per day and as many as 40 hours per week.
Between June 1 and Labor Day, work hours are allowed from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Riverside, CA
- California Department of Industrial Relations – Child Labor Laws
- California Department of Education – Work Permits for Students
- U.S. Department of Labor – YouthRules!
Young job seekers can prepare better for interviews by reviewing common questions for positions like fast food worker interviews and hostess interviews.