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Places That Hire at 15 in Springfield, MO

Find out where 15-year-olds can work in Springfield, MO, including popular fast-food and fast-casual restaurants.

15-year-old working at a fast-food restaurant in Springfield, MO

Places That Hire at 15 in Springfield, MO: Key Takeaways

  • 15-year-olds in Springfield can work entry-level jobs such as crew members, cashiers, bussers, and hosts particularly in the restaurant industry.
  • Fast food chains like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Burger King, and Wendy's commonly hire 15-year-olds for various roles.
  • Missouri restricts work hours for 15-year-olds to 3 hours on school days, 18 hours weekly while school is in session, and extended hours during breaks, aligning with federal FLSA rules.

Springfield offers several work opportunities for 15-year-olds, especially in fast food and fast casual restaurants.

This guide covers typical jobs available, popular employers, work hour limits, and helpful resources for young job seekers.

What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Springfield, MO?

At 15, individuals often qualify for entry-level positions that provide valuable experience.

Common roles include crew member, responsible for taking orders, preparing food, and keeping the restaurant clean.

Cashier positions involve handling customer transactions and delivering friendly service. For more details, check out our cashier job description.

Other roles like busser focus on clearing tables and maintaining cleanliness, while host/hostess positions greet and seat guests. Learn about these roles in the busser job description and hostess job description.

Earnings typically start at Missouri's minimum wage of $12.00 per hour as of 2025, with some employers offering higher rates or bonuses.

Employers looking to fill these positions can find tips in our restaurant staff hiring guide.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in Springfield, MO

The fast-food sector in Springfield is a popular employer for teens, offering a variety of entry-level positions with flexible hours. For insight on employee retention in such environments, see strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover.

McDonald's

McDonald's hires 15-year-olds as crew members and cashiers who assist with food preparation and customer service.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A employs team members aged 15 to help with food prep and delivering excellent customer experiences.

Burger King

Burger King offers opportunities for 15-year-olds in various entry-level roles focused on teamwork and service.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen hires young workers for food handling and customer interaction positions.

Arby's

Arby's provides roles in food preparation and customer service suitable for 15-year-olds.

Wendy's

Wendy's employs crew members and cashiers who are often 15, handling order taking and food duties.

Sonic Drive-In

Sonic offers various entry-level roles for younger workers including order taking and cleaning tasks.

KFC

KFC hires 15-year-olds for customer service and basic food handling responsibilities.

For employers, tips on hiring and retaining fast-food workers are available in our how to hire a fast-food worker spotlight.

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Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in Springfield, MO

Fast-casual dining establishments also provide accessible job opportunities for teens to learn food service skills. Those interested in advancing in this area may benefit from knowing how to hire a restaurant manager effectively (how to hire a restaurant manager).

Panera Bread

Panera Bread employs 15-year-olds as associates or cashiers assisting with orders and kitchen tasks.

Culver's

Culver's hires young workers for customer service and food preparation roles.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Freddy's offers varied entry-level positions for teens to develop workplace abilities.

For youth aiming to grow their career, understanding the role of a kitchen manager can be helpful. See kitchen manager job description and how to hire a kitchen manager to prepare for future opportunities.

How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in Springfield, MO?

Missouri law regulates work hours to protect youth’s health and education.

During the school year, 15-year-olds may work up to 3 hours on school days and a maximum of 18 hours per week.

Permissible work hours during the school session are between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

When school is not in session, teens can work up to 8 hours per non-school day, 40 hours per week, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

These regulations align with federal standards under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to ensure safe working conditions and time for schooling. Employers can find guidance on compliance in the recruitment hospitality job posting compliance spotlight.

Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Springfield, MO

Teens and employers alike can benefit from resources on understanding the age requirements for hospitality jobs, like how old to be server restaurant.

FAQs About Places That Hire at 15 in Springfield, MO

15-year-olds in Springfield typically find work as crew members, cashiers, bussers, and hosts, primarily in fast food and fast casual restaurants.

McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Burger King, Wendy's, Dairy Queen, Sonic Drive-In, Arby's, and KFC are among the popular chains hiring 15-year-olds in Springfield.

Missouri law limits 15-year-olds to 3 hours on school days, 18 hours during weeks school is in session, and 8 hours on non-school days, with specific time windows for work hours.

Yes, fast-casual restaurants like Panera Bread, Culver's, and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers hire 15-year-olds for entry-level positions.

Resources are available from the Missouri Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor’s YouthRules!, and the Missouri Division of Employment Security.