Places That Hire at 16 in Burien, WA

Places That Hire at 16 in Burien, WA: Key Takeaways

• 16-year-olds in Burien can find entry-level roles like cashier job description, host/hostess, server assistant, and crew member, mainly in the restaurant industry
• Fast food and fast casual restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, Chipotle, and Panera Bread commonly hire 16-year-olds
• Washington state limits work hours for 16-year-olds based on school attendance, with strict daily and weekly hour caps and time restrictions

Young workers aged 16 in Burien, WA have access to a variety of part-time jobs, especially in eating establishments. This article outlines common job types, notable employers, hour restrictions, and resources for job seekers.

Understanding your options and legal rights is the first step toward finding great work experience at this age in Burien.

What Types of Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Burien, WA?

Many 16-year-olds in Burien find employment in restaurants, which often provide flexible hours suited for teens balancing school and work. Popular positions include:

• Cashier: Processing orders and handling payments at the counter. Check out our cashier job description for more details.
• Host/Hostess: Greeting customers and managing seating. Employers can find helpful interview resources for hostesses here.
• Server Assistant: Supporting servers by bussing tables or refilling drinks. See our guide to becoming a food runner for role insights.
• Crew Member/Team Member: Assisting with food preparation and customer service duties in fast food and fast casual settings. Employers aiming to hire fast-food workers may benefit from our hiring guide.

These roles provide foundational work experience, develop customer service skills, and offer wage rates starting at the state minimum wage or slightly above depending on the employer.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Burien

Fast-food chains are popular employers for 16-year-olds due to their established training programs and flexible scheduling. Here are some well-known fast-food restaurants in Burien hiring teens:

McDonald's

McDonald's hires 16-year-olds as crew members and cashiers, offering a chance to learn food service and team collaboration in a fast-paced environment. Restaurant owners can learn more about hiring restaurant staff effectively.

Burger King

Positions such as team member and cashier are open for 16-year-olds, with training that develops customer interaction and operational skills.

Wendy's

Wendy’s offers crew member and cashier roles, suitable for young workers eager to gain early job experience. For hiring best practices, see our restaurant staffing spotlight.

Taco Bell

Hiring team members who assist with food prep, assembly, and serving customers.

KFC

Positions for team members and cashiers provide hands-on experience in a quick-service restaurant setting.

Subway

Sandwich artists and cashiers roles allow teens to develop customer service and food preparation skills.

Jack in the Box

Offers team member positions with opportunities to build strong communication and multitasking abilities.

Dairy Queen

Crew member and cashier jobs available that involve order taking, ice cream preparation, and customer assistance.

Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Burien

Fast-casual restaurants provide slightly more upscale dining than fast food and often hire 16-year-olds for similar roles.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle hires crew members with responsibilities ranging from food prep to customer service in a team-focused environment.

Panera Bread

Offers associate and cashier roles where teens learn skills including order taking, food assembly, and working the register.

MOD Pizza

Hiring squad members who help prepare custom pizzas and provide friendly customer service.

Five Guys

Positions include crew members who assist with cooking, assembling orders, and maintaining dining areas.

Panda Express

Team member roles supporting food preparation and front-of-house duties.

How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Burien?

Washington state law tightly regulates the working hours of 16- and 17-year-olds to prioritize their education and wellbeing.

During school weeks (Monday through Thursday), 16-year-olds are allowed to work up to 4 hours on school days and can work more on non-school days (Friday through Sunday), but with a maximum of 20 hours per week total.

Work hours are restricted to between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on school days, with extensions to midnight allowed on Fridays and Saturdays.

During non-school weeks or vacations, the allowed work hours increase to up to 8 per day with a maximum of 48 hours per week, and work hours expand from 5 a.m. to midnight.

Employers must also obtain a Parent/School Authorization form for each minor employee, signed by the minor, parent/guardian, school official, and employer, renewed annually by September 30.

Additionally, 16- and 17-year-olds working in restaurants or retail must be supervised by an adult after 8 p.m. to comply with Washington labor regulations. For more on managing young staff, review our hiring Gen Z guide.

Resources for 16-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Burien

• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Hours of Work
• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Variances
• Washington State Legislature: Chapter 296-131 WAC

For students interested in a path beyond entry-level, learning about careers such as becoming a restaurant consultant or how to become a server can be a useful resource.

Employers can also explore how to hire a restaurant consultant to improve their business operations as they grow.