Places That Hire at 16 in Kansas: Key Takeaways
- 16-year-olds in Kansas can work in various restaurant roles including cashier, server, host/hostess, and kitchen staff
- Common employers include fast food and fast-casual chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Chipotle, and Panera Bread
- Wages for these roles typically range from $10 to $16.50 per hour depending on position and employer
Starting a job at 16 in Kansas is a great way for teens to gain valuable work experience and earn income.
This guide covers top places that hire 16-year-olds in Kansas, common roles available, and important work hour regulations.
What Types of Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Kansas?
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Kansas
Many well-known fast-food chains in Kansas welcome 16-year-old hires, offering entry-level positions that foster skill development and responsibility.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires 16-year-olds as crew members with duties including food preparation, cashier tasks, and customer service interaction.
Learn more about the fast food worker job description to understand these roles.
Wendy's
Wendy's offers cashier and cook positions to teens 16 and older, providing a fast-paced environment for work experience.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell employs 16-year-olds as team members responsible for taking orders and assembling food items.
KFC
At KFC, 16-year-olds can work as cashiers or kitchen helpers, gaining insight into food service operations.
Subway
Subway offers sandwich artist roles to 16-year-olds, focusing on food preparation and customer interaction.
Arby's
Arby's hires team members aged 16 and up for roles involving customer service and food prep.
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic employs 16-year-olds as carhops and cooks, offering varied experience in dining service and kitchen duties.
Burger King
Burger King provides team member jobs to teens 16 and older, including food prep and customer service responsibilities.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Kansas
Fast-casual chains also recruit 16-year-olds for various front-of-house and kitchen roles, ideal for gaining hands-on experience.
Chili's
Chili's employs 16-year-olds mainly as hosts or hostesses, with wages typically ranging from $10 to $14 per hour.
Discover more about hostess job descriptions to understand the role better.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company hires 16-year-olds for cashier and server roles, valuable for building customer service skills.
See how to become a server and learn about the interviewer expectations.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread offers cashier and bakery-café associate positions to 16-year-olds, focusing on food prep and guest interaction.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle provides crew member roles to 16-year-olds emphasizing kitchen work and customer service.
Five Guys
Five Guys employs 16-year-olds as cashiers and cooks, offering fast-casual food service experience.
How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Kansas?
Kansas labor laws do not restrict the number of hours or specific times that 16- and 17-year-olds may work.
This means teens in this age group can generally work any number of hours during the day or week, making it flexible for school and other commitments.
However, they are strictly prohibited from working in hazardous occupations as outlined by U.S. Department of Labor regulations to protect their health and safety.
Employers and teens should ensure that work does not negatively impact the minor's education, health, or overall welfare.
Resources for 16-Year-Olds Looking for Jobs in Kansas
- Kansas State Legislature - Child Labor Laws
- Minimum-Wage.org - Kansas Child Labor Laws and Employment Information
- NCBI Bookshelf - Youth Labor Laws and Protections
Employers looking to hire and manage a young workforce can benefit from insights on restaurant staff hiring strategies.
For hiring cooks and kitchen staff, see our guide on how to hire a cook effectively.
To understand the best approaches to recruit servers and waitstaff, check out how to hire server or waiter tips.
When seeking to retain skilled employees, explore strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover.
And if you're curious about wages and budgeting for hospitality staff, consider the insights shared in restaurant wages compared by state.








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