Places That Hire at 15 in St. Louis, MO: Key Takeaways
- Missouri allows 15-year-olds to work in various non-hazardous restaurant roles such as cashiering, food service, dishwashing, and bussing tables.
- Fast-food and fast-casual restaurants like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Culver's, and Panera Bread hire workers at age 15 in St. Louis.
- Work hour restrictions limit 15-year-olds to 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, and no more than 40 hours weekly, with allowable hours varying by school session.
Discover employment opportunities and legal work hour limits for 15-year-olds seeking restaurant jobs in St. Louis, MO.
This guide includes common job roles, popular employers, and essential labor regulations.
For employers looking to hire young workers effectively, check out our guide to hiring restaurant staff to streamline your recruitment process.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in St. Louis, MO?
At age 15 in St. Louis, Missouri, teens can take on entry-level roles in restaurants that exclude hazardous activities.
Permitted duties include food service tasks like preparing and serving food and beverages (excluding use of hazardous cooking equipment), cashiering, dishwashing, and bussing tables.
Those interested in learning more about the responsibilities and skills needed for bussing roles can explore our detailed busser job description.
Missouri law forbids 15-year-olds from operating power-driven machinery such as food slicers or working where alcohol sales exceed 50% of gross sales.
These positions offer valuable experience in customer service, teamwork, and workplace responsibility without exposing youth to unsafe conditions.
Young workers aiming to become fast-food workers can benefit by reviewing the fast-food worker job description to understand role expectations.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in St. Louis, MO
Several well-known fast-food chains actively hire 15-year-olds for roles that involve customer interaction, food preparation, and maintaining restaurant cleanliness.
McDonald's
McDonald's employs 15-year-old crew members who assist with food prep, serving customers, and keeping the lobby and kitchen clean.
Learn how to excel in your role by visiting our tips for event planners, a good resource for understanding customer-facing hospitality jobs.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A team members aged 15 take care of food handling and provide customer service at counters and drive-thrus.
Culver's
Culver's hires 15-year-olds for cashier, food prep, and restaurant upkeep roles, offering a friendly environment to build skills.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen offers roles to 15-year-olds involving serving customers, preparing menu items, and general cleaning duties.
Burger King
Burger King team members at age 15 engage in tasks like order assembly, customer service, and routine cleaning.
Wendy's
Wendy's hires young workers for cashier and kitchen staff positions focusing on order taking and food prep at various locations.
Arby's
Arby's team members aged 15 work on food service and ensuring a positive customer experience.
Restaurant managers can benefit from learning how to hire a restaurant manager effectively to maintain strong teams in fast-paced environments.
Lion's Choice
Local to St. Louis, Lion's Choice offers 15-year-olds opportunities in cashiering and food service, a great place for teens to start.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in St. Louis, MO
Fast-casual dining establishments in St. Louis also provide work options suitable for 15-year-olds interested in food service and customer interaction roles.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires associates for food preparation and customer service tasks appropriate for younger workers.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company offers team member positions focused on preparing meals and assisting customers.
Qdoba Mexican Eats
Qdoba employs 15-year-olds as food prep staff and cashiers, helping teens gain valuable restaurant experience.
Employers can check out recruitment compliance tips to ensure their job postings meet hospitality industry standards.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in St. Louis, MO?
Missouri law regulates work hours for 15-year-olds to protect educational priorities and ensure adequate rest.
During the school year (Labor Day to June 1), 15-year-olds may work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., up to 3 hours on school days, and up to 8 hours on non-school days.
They may not work more than 6 days per week or exceed 40 hours weekly.
During summer and other non-school periods (June 1 to Labor Day), work hours extend from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with up to 8 hours daily allowed.
These limits align with federal child labor regulations to balance employment with schooling and safety.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in St. Louis, MO
- Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations: Youth Employment
- Missouri Work Certificates and Work Permits
- Missouri Acceptable Work and Hours for Youth
For young workers curious about kitchen roles, our dishwasher job description provides a helpful overview of entry-level kitchen responsibilities.