10 min read

Places That Hire at 16 in St. Clair Shores, MI

Discover top fast food and fast casual restaurants hiring 16-year-olds in St. Clair Shores with tips on roles and work hour limits.

Teen working at a fast food restaurant in St. Clair Shores

Places That Hire at 16 in St. Clair Shores, MI: Key Takeaways

  • 16-year-olds can find jobs mainly in fast food and fast casual restaurants in St. Clair Shores, MI
  • Typical roles include crew member, cashier, host/hostess, and dishwasher with pay often above Michigan's $10.10 minimum wage
  • Work hours are regulated for 16-year-olds, especially during school sessions, limiting shifts and weekly hours

If you're 16 in St. Clair Shores, MI, there are many job opportunities in restaurants to help you gain work experience. Knowing where to apply and work hour laws is key.

For employers looking to hire younger workers, our guide on places that hire at 16 can help you understand the best practices and opportunities.

This guide covers common restaurant jobs for 16-year-olds, top hiring fast food and fast casual spots, work hour regulations, and helpful resources.

What Types of Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in St. Clair Shores, MI?

Young workers aged 16 can take on a variety of positions in the local restaurant scene. These roles build customer service skills and offer entry-level experience.

For restaurant owners hiring hosts and hostesses, our detailed hostess job description is a helpful resource to define responsibilities clearly.

  • Crew Members: Taking orders, preparing food items, and maintaining a clean workspace are typical duties.
  • Cashiers: Handling payments and interacting with customers at the register.
  • Host/Hostess: Welcoming and seating guests in sit-down restaurants.
  • Dishwasher: Cleaning dishes and kitchen utensils to support restaurant operations.

St. Clair Shores restaurants sometimes pay above the state minimum wage of $10.10 per hour (2025 rate), with some fast food chains paying $12–$15 per hour depending on experience.

If you want to know the best places that hire at 16 as cashiers, this spotlight provides excellent insights on opportunities and pay.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in St. Clair Shores

The fast-food industry is a popular starting point for teenage workers, and St. Clair Shores has many such restaurants hiring 16-year-olds.

For employers aiming to improve hiring in this sector, check out our restaurant staff hiring spotlight for effective recruitment strategies.

McDonald's

McDonald's offers many crew member and cashier positions suitable for teens, focusing on customer service and food prep.

Burger King

Burger King hires 16-year-olds for team members and kitchen jobs, providing a fast-paced work environment.

Wendy's

Wendy's crew roles involve customer interaction and food preparation, ideal for beginners.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell employs front-line team members aged 16 for order taking and kitchen assistance.

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)

KFC positions include food service and customer-facing tasks, offered to younger workers.

Subway

Subway hires sandwich artists and cashiers starting at age 16, focusing on food assembly and service.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen offers customer service and food prep roles for teens, mixing dining and counter service.

Arby's

Arby's team members handle kitchen and cashier duties, employing many workers age 16 and up.

Need to hire employees?
OR
Looking for top paid jobs?

Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in St. Clair Shores

Fast casual spots also offer employment opportunities to 16-year-olds looking for friendly atmospheres and skill-building roles.

For young candidates interested in kitchen positions like prep cooks, this prep cook interview questions page offers valuable preparation insights.

Panera Bread

Panera hires associates and cashiers at age 16, emphasizing customer service and food preparation.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle employs crew members aged 16 for various duties including food prep and customer interaction.

Noodles & Company

Noodles offers positions in customer service and food prep suitable for teenagers starting their first job.

How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in St. Clair Shores?

Michigan child labor laws set specific work hour limits to protect young workers, varying based on whether school is in session.

When school is in session:

  • Maximum 24 hours per week
  • Maximum 10 hours per day
  • Permitted work hours between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday
  • Extended hours till 11:30 p.m on Fridays and Saturdays

When school is not in session:

  • Up to 48 hours per week allowed
  • Still limited to 10 hours per day
  • Permitted work hours between 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.

Minors must receive at least a 30-minute break if working over five consecutive hours.

Employers can learn how to ensure compliance with youth labor laws in the hospitality industry by reading our HR policies for restaurant spotlight.

Resources for 16-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in St. Clair Shores

To improve hiring for young fast-food workers, employers should consult the fast food worker job description to set appropriate job expectations.

FAQs About Places That Hire at 16 in St. Clair Shores, MI

Common roles for 16-year-olds include crew members, cashiers, dishwashers, and hosts/hostesses in both fast food and fast casual restaurants.

Many restaurants pay above Michigan’s minimum wage of $10.10, with fast food chains sometimes offering between $12 and $15 per hour depending on experience.

Work hours for 16-year-olds are limited, especially during school sessions, with permitted hours generally ending by 10:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. depending on the day.

Helpful resources include the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Department of Labor’s YouthRules! program.

Minors must receive a 30-minute break if working more than five hours consecutively to ensure safety and wellbeing.