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Places That Hire at 16 in Michigan, MI

Discover which restaurants and fast-food chains hire 16-year-olds in Michigan and understand work hour limits for teens.

Teen working at a fast-food restaurant in Michigan

Places That Hire at 16 in MI: Key Takeaways

  • 16-year-olds in MI can work in entry-level restaurant positions like cashiers and food prep staff earning $12-$15/hour.
  • Major fast-food chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's hire workers at age 16 for various roles.
  • Michigan restricts teen work hours to max 24 per week during school and 48 per week during breaks with specific daily limit and time rules.

You can find many restaurant jobs hiring 16-year-olds in Michigan offering opportunities in fast food and fast-casual dining.

This article outlines common job types, top employers, work hour rules, and useful resources.

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

At 16, working in the restaurant sector typically means entry-level roles where you learn customer service and food handling.

Common job titles include cashier, food preparation staff, and customer service representative.

These positions require basic skills like handling cash registers, assembling orders, and keeping work areas clean while following safety protocols.

Learn more about the cashier job description to understand the skills needed for these roles at entry-level.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in MI

Many well-known fast-food chains hire 16-year-olds for crew and team member roles that involve frontline customer service and food prep.

McDonald's

McDonald's offers positions for 16-year-olds as crew members who assist with food preparation and serving customers.

For employers looking to staff quickly, our restaurant staff hiring guide provides effective strategies.

Burger King

Burger King hires team members at 16 who handle operating cash registers and assembling customer orders efficiently.

Wendy's

Wendy's employs 16-year-olds in cashier and kitchen staff roles focused on order taking and preparing food.

Taco Bell

At Taco Bell, 16-year-old team members perform front counter duties and food assembly to ensure fast service.

KFC

KFC offers team member roles involving customer service and basic food preparation for workers aged 16 and up.

White Castle

White Castle hires 16-year-olds as team members tasked with order taking and maintaining a clean work environment.

Dunkin'

Dunkin' crew members aged 16 prepare beverages and serve customers, making it a good starter job.

Those interested in beverage preparation roles may benefit from learning about the barista job description.

Krispy Kreme

Team members at Krispy Kreme include 16-year-olds who help with customer orders and food service duties.

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Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in MI

Fast-casual dining spots also provide job options for teenagers to gain experience in food service and prep.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread hires 16-year-olds as cashiers and food prep staff to assist with customer orders and kitchen tasks.

Chipotle

Chipotle offers crew member positions to 16-year-olds who help with preparing fresh ingredients and serving customers.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A team members aged 16 perform front-of-house duties including taking orders and food service.

Employers interested in recruitment insights may find the guide to hiring a restaurant consultant helpful.

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

Michigan enforces specific limits to balance teen work and education.

When school is in session, 16-year-olds may work up to 24 hours weekly with no more than 10 hours a day.

Permissible work hours run from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, extending to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

During school breaks or summer, the weekly cap increases to 48 hours but daily hours remain capped at 10, and work can occur between 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.

These rules ensure teens have time for rest and schooling while gaining work experience.

For employers, understanding labor regulations is critical. Check out our restaurant staffing insights to learn about compliance and scheduling.

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

Places That Hire at 16 in MI FAQs

16-year-olds often get entry-level jobs like cashier, food prep staff, and customer service roles in Michigan's restaurant industry.

Popular chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Taco Bell hire 16-year-olds for crew member and customer service roles.

During school, 16-year-olds can work up to 24 hours per week and 10 hours per day. Hours extend during breaks with a max of 48 hours weekly.

Yes, fast-casual restaurants like Panera Bread and Chipotle offer roles suitable for 16-year-olds focused on food prep and customer service.

Useful resources include the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Michigan State University Extension’s labor law guides.