Places That Hire at 16 in Portland, OR: Key Takeaways
- 16-year-olds can work in various roles such as cashiers, food preparers, and customer service representatives in Portland's restaurant industry.
- The minimum wage in the Portland metro area as of 2025 is $15.45 per hour, applicable to workers aged 16 and up.
- Both fast food and fast casual restaurants in Portland hire 16-year-olds, including well-known chains like McDonald's, Chipotle, and Panera Bread.
Many restaurants in Portland, OR, welcome 16-year-olds seeking entry-level jobs. These roles provide valuable work experience and a competitive hourly wage.
For employers, understanding places that hire at 16 can help in targeting younger candidates effectively.
From fast food to fast casual dining, young workers have plenty of options to start earning while developing their skills.
What Types of Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Portland, OR?
At age 16, individuals can find work primarily in entry-level positions within restaurants. Common job roles include:
- Cashier – handling orders and payments at the register.
- Food preparer – assisting in making menu items according to guidelines.
- Customer service representative – ensuring guest satisfaction and managing front-of-house duties.
These jobs involve a mix of customer interaction, food handling, and maintaining cleanliness standards to ensure a pleasant dining experience.
Employers looking to hire young staff should consider using helpful guides on hiring cashiers at 16 to streamline recruitment processes.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Portland
Many fast-food chains that operate in Portland offer employment to 16-year-olds, providing flexible and accessible job opportunities.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires 16-year-olds as crew members who work on taking orders, food preparation, and cleaning duties within the restaurant.
Burger King
Burger King employs team members aged 16 and up for customer service, food prep, and maintaining restaurant cleanliness.
Wendy's
Wendy's offers positions to 16-year-olds as crew members, involving order taking, preparing food, and ensuring a clean environment.
For managers, understanding how to hire a kitchen manager effectively can improve kitchen operations even with young staff on board.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell hires 16-year-olds for team member roles responsible for customer interaction and food preparation tasks.
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
KFC offers jobs to 16-year-olds as team members, focusing on customer service, food prep, and restaurant upkeep.
Subway
Subway employs 16-year-olds as sandwich artists who prepare sandwiches, handle transactions, and keep the store tidy.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen welcomes individuals aged 16+ as crew members for customer and food service roles, along with cleaning responsibilities.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box hires 16-year-olds as team members involved in customer service, food preparation, and cleanliness.
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Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Portland
Fast-casual dining spots also provide opportunities for 16-year-olds to gain employment in supportive roles.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle employs 16-year-olds as crew members handling food prep, customer service, and maintaining a clean work area.
Hiring managers might find the guide to hiring a restaurant consultant beneficial when improving fast-casual restaurant management.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires associates 16 and older for customer service, food preparation, and cleaning tasks.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company offers team member roles to 16-year-olds that include taking orders, preparing food, and maintaining cleanliness.
How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Portland?
Oregon permits 16- and 17-year-olds to work up to 44 hours per week with no limit on daily hours. This flexibility helps accommodate school schedules and extracurricular activities.
Employers must provide a 30-minute meal break for shifts over six hours and a paid 15-minute rest break for each four-hour work period.
Understanding legal work hour limits is crucial for employers; see our spotlight on age requirements in job postings for more insights.
Resources for 16-Year-Olds Looking for Jobs in Portland
- Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) - Minor Workers
- Oregon Occupational Safety and Health - Young Workers
- Oregon Law Help - Employment of Minors
Employers can also gain strategies for maintaining staff with resources like strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover.
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