Places That Hire at 16 in Albuquerque, NM: Key Takeaways
- 16-year-olds in Albuquerque can work in various roles such as crew members, servers, hosts, and dishwashers in restaurants.
- New Mexico's minimum wage is $12.00 per hour, often applying to teenage employees in food service.
- Fast food and fast casual restaurants like McDonald's, Chipotle, and Panda Express commonly hire workers starting at age 16.
For teens aged 16 seeking part-time or entry-level jobs, Albuquerque offers many restaurant opportunities, especially in quick-service environments.
The city has flexible youth labor laws allowing 16-year-olds to work without strict hour limits, providing great work experience chances.
Employers looking to optimize hiring can explore places that hire at 16 to find the most suitable candidates.
What Types of Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Albuquerque, NM?
At 16, young workers can generally take on several entry-level restaurant roles that provide customer interaction and operational experience.
Typical positions for 16-year-olds include:
- Crew Members: Handling food prep, cleaning, and cashier duties.
- Servers: Taking and delivering food orders while assisting customers.
- Host/Hostess: Greeting guests and managing seating arrangements.
- Dishwashers: Cleaning kitchen tools and maintaining hygiene standards.
Many restaurants pay at least the New Mexico minimum wage of $12.00 per hour, sometimes more depending on the role and experience.
Employers seeking to improve their hiring process for hosts and hostesses can benefit from insights on how to hire a restaurant manager or explore hostess job descriptions to tailor job postings effectively.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Albuquerque
Many popular fast-food chains in Albuquerque welcome applications from 16-year-olds, offering roles ideal for first-time workers.
McDonald's
This global chain hires crew members and cashiers, providing training and flexible shifts perfect for teens.
Burger King
Burger King employs team members in positions that involve food prep, customer service, and maintaining cleanliness.
Wendy's
Wendy's hires young workers for crew member roles, combining kitchen tasks with frontline customer duties.
Taco Bell
Your typical team member or cashier roles are open to 16-year-olds at Taco Bell, giving a chance to develop multitasking skills.
Subway
Subway offers positions such as sandwich artists and cashiers, suitable for teens interested in food prep and customer interaction.
KFC
KFC hires team members to assist with food preparation and customer service duties, great for gaining fast food experience.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is known to offer opportunities to 16-year-olds as team members and kitchen staff, welcoming new talent.
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic employs carhops and kitchen staff, giving young workers valuable experience in a unique fast-food service model.
For restaurant owners interested in improving team performance, the restaurant staff hiring guide provides useful strategies.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Albuquerque
Beyond fast food, fast casual dining chains also hire 16-year-olds to fill various entry-level roles.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle hires crew members responsible for food preparation and customer service in a fast-casual environment.
Panda Express
This popular Asian fast casual dining chain hires kitchen staff and cashiers, welcoming younger workers to join their teams.
Panera Bread
Panera employs associates in food preparation and customer service roles geared toward entry-level workers.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company hires team members for both kitchen and front-of-house roles, making it friendly for 16-year-olds starting out.
Blake's Lotaburger
Blake's Lotaburger offers jobs like crew members and cashiers, embracing local teen employees in Albuquerque.
To learn best practices for posting and filling job openings, see the promote restaurant job resource.
How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Albuquerque?
New Mexico does not impose specific hourly restrictions on 16-year-old workers. Unlike younger minors, 16-year-olds enjoy more flexibility in their work schedules.
This means teens can work longer shifts and later hours, which helps balance employment with school and other responsibilities.
Employers and employees should still ensure that work hours do not interfere with schooling or violate any other federal child labor laws.
Employers hiring young staff might find guidance on how to hire a cashier and similar roles helpful for compliance and efficiency.
Resources for 16-Year-Olds Looking for Jobs in Albuquerque
- New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions: Child Labor Information
- New Mexico Statutes on Maximum Hours for Children Fourteen to Sixteen
- New Mexico Statutes on Prohibited Occupations for Children Under Sixteen
For teens and employers alike, understanding roles can be enhanced by reviewing the dishwasher job description and interview tips available on OysterLink.