Places That Hire at 16 in Richland WA: Key Takeaways
- 16-year-olds in Richland, WA can work in fast-food and fast-casual restaurants as crew members, cashiers, and food preparers
- Wages for these positions typically range from $16.66 to $17.75 per hour
- State laws limit work hours to 20 per week during school weeks and up to 48 hours in non-school weeks with specific time restrictions
Younger teens in Richland, Washington have several restaurant job opportunities. Entry roles offer decent pay and manageable hours within state laws.
These openings give teens valuable work experience while complying with Washington’s youth employment requirements.
Employers looking to onboard young staff can benefit from best hiring practices for high performers tailored to the hospitality industry.
What Types of Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Richland, WA?
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Richland, WA
Many national fast-food chains in Richland welcome 16-year-olds to join their teams, offering a variety of positions that match this age group's skill level and legal working capacity.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle offers crew member roles paying between $16.75 and $17.75 per hour. These roles involve food preparation, customer service, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness.
Papa John's
Papa John’s hires pizza crew members starting at $16.66 per hour. Employees help assemble pizzas, manage orders, and provide good customer service.
McDonald's
McDonald's frequently hires 16-year-olds as crew members responsible for customer service, food prep, and cashier duties.
Burger King
Burger King offers team member positions suitable for 16-year-olds, including cashier and food preparation roles.
Wendy's
At Wendy’s, 16-year-olds can work as crew members performing a variety of restaurant tasks like order-taking and food assembly.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell employs 16-year-olds as team members who assist with food preparation and customer service.
KFC
KFC hires team members aged 16 to perform order taking, food prep, and cleaning duties.
Subway
Subway offers positions as sandwich artists to 16-year-olds, focusing on building sandwiches, customer interaction, and maintaining cleanliness.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Richland, WA
Fast-casual restaurants also present good opportunities for 16-year-olds to gain experience and earn competitive wages.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread offers restaurant team member roles including cashier duties. These positions teach customer service and food handling skills.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company hires 16-year-olds for roles such as crew members involved in food prep and front-of-house responsibilities.
Five Guys
Five Guys employs teenagers as crew members, training them in food assembly, customer service, and sanitation.
If you are interested in the specifics of the fast food worker job description, this can help clarify the roles best suited for younger workers.
How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Richland?
Washington State strictly regulates the working hours and times for 16- and 17-year-olds to balance work with education and wellbeing.
During school weeks, 16-year-olds may work up to:
- 4 hours per day on school days (except Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays when 8 hours is allowed)
- A maximum of 20 hours per week
- Permitted hours between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., except until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays
Outside school weeks, allowed work hours increase to:
- Up to 8 hours per day
- As many as 48 hours per week
- Work permitted from 5 a.m. until midnight
Employers must also obtain a Parent/School Authorization form signed by a parent or guardian and a school official annually, renewing by September 30, to legally employ 16-year-old workers.
Businesses looking to understand legal hiring and interview processes can read how to hire a cashier, which shares relevant insights.
Resources for 16-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Richland
Explore more about youth work regulations and opportunities on the official Washington State Department of Labor & Industries websites linked below.
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Hours of Work for Minors
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Variances for Minor Work Hours
- Washington State Legislature: Chapter 296-131 WAC - Hours of Work for Minors in Agriculture
Additionally, employers can explore guides on restaurant staff hiring to better manage onboarding young employees.








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