Places That Hire at 16 in Houston, TX

Places That Hire at 16 in Houston, TX: Key Takeaways

• 16-year-olds in Houston can work in various entry-level restaurant jobs such as cashier, cook, and crew member.
• Wages typically range from $9 to $16 per hour depending on the employer and position.
• Texas imposes no restrictions on the number of hours or times of day 16-year-olds may work, but school attendance and local curfews must be respected.

Finding a part-time job at age 16 in Houston, TX is possible, especially in restaurant settings. This guide highlights places that hire teens and explains relevant work hour rules.

Explore top fast food and fast casual chains offering jobs for 16-year-olds and learn about Texas labor laws for young workers.

Employers looking to hire teens can benefit from our tips on how to hire high performers in the restaurant industry to ensure a great fit for their teams.

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

At 16, many teens find entry-level roles in the restaurant industry suited to their experience level and age. Common jobs include cashier, cook, crew member, busser, and host positions.

These roles often involve customer service, food preparation, and cleaning tasks. Employers typically offer flexible part-time schedules to accommodate school commitments.

Employers interested in hiring bussers or crew members might find our guide to hiring restaurant staff quickly particularly useful for recruiting young talent efficiently.

For insight into job expectations, check out the busser job description and fast food worker job description to understand the roles these positions entail.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Houston

Several well-known fast food chains in Houston actively hire 16-year-olds, providing steady opportunities to gain work experience. Below are some popular employers:

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen hires 16-year-olds primarily as cook or grill staff. Hourly wages range between $9 and $10, offering a good entry point for teens new to the workforce.

Debuting as a cook in a fast food environment can be a great start. See our how to hire a cook spotlight for advice on hiring and managing kitchen staff in high-turnover environments.

Zaxby's

Zaxby's employs restaurant crew members and cashiers aged 16 and older. The roles often encompass front counter service and food prep duties.

Understanding the cashier job description can help clarify the expectations for front counter roles at places like Zaxby’s.

Peter Piper Pizza

Known for hiring young workers, Peter Piper Pizza welcomes 16-year-old team members to assist with customer service and light kitchen tasks.

Managing such roles effectively may involve insights from our how to hire a restaurant manager guide, focusing on leadership that supports younger employees.

Raising Cane's

Raising Cane's offers restaurant crewmember roles for 16-year-olds, with competitive hourly pay between $12 and $13.50, higher than average for similar jobs.

Smashburger

This burger chain hires cashiers and other entry-level staff starting at age 16, providing a valuable opportunity to develop customer service skills.

For those interested in hospitality career paths, explore our server career overview and strategies that illustrate growth from entry-level to higher roles.

Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Houston

In addition to fast food, some fast casual restaurants in Houston also employ 16-year-olds, typically in roles focused on support and guest services.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread hires 16-year-olds for positions like catering coordinator, blending customer interaction with organizational duties.

If you're managing a team that includes catering coordinators, learn more from our event coordinator job description and guide to hiring a restaurant consultant for optimizing event-related roles.

Pappasito's Cantina

Pappasito's employs 16-year-olds as door hosts, paying around $13 per hour, which is a solid wage for teen workers.

To understand this role in greater depth, check out the hostess job description, which aligns with door host responsibilities.

Mia's Table

Mia's Table hires bussers aged 16 and up, offering hourly wages from $12 to $16. This role involves clearing tables and assisting servers.

Enhance your hiring by reviewing tips on how to hire a busser at 16 to find and retain reliable staff.

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

Texas is relatively flexible regarding youth employment hours. There are no statutory limits on the number of hours or times of day that 16- and 17-year-olds may work.

Nonetheless, employers must ensure that work schedules do not interfere with mandatory school attendance or violate any applicable local curfews.

This approach supports teens in balancing employment with education and rest, fostering a healthy work-life balance.

Employers can benefit from understanding the employee evaluation form process to monitor part-time teen workers' performance effectively.

Resources for 16-Year-Olds Looking for Jobs in Houston

• Texas Workforce Commission: Texas Child Labor Law
• Texas Administrative Code: Texas Child Labor Rules
• Texas Labor Code, Chapter 51: Child Labor Law

For teens seeking to enter dining and hospitality careers early, exploring paths such as becoming a cashier or hostess can provide foundational job skills valuable for advancement.