Places That Hire at 16 in Wichita, KS

Places That Hire at 16 in Wichita, KS: Key Takeaways

16-year-olds in Wichita can work in various entry-level restaurant positions like cashier, server, host/hostess, and crew member.
Fast-food chains such as Long John Silver's, Subway, Wendy's, and Dunkin' hire 16-year-olds with wages from $10 to $12.50 per hour.
Fast-casual restaurants like Noodles & Company, Chili's, and Jimmy John's also hire teens 16 and older, often paying between $10 and $17 per hour.
Kansas allows 16 and 17-year-olds to work unlimited hours as long as it does not harm their health, education, or welfare.

Finding a first job as a 16-year-old in Wichita, KS is feasible, especially within the food service sector. Many fast-food and fast-casual restaurants offer accessible positions that help teens build work experience.

This article highlights the types of jobs available, specific restaurants hiring at 16, and regulations on working hours for young workers in Wichita.

Employers looking to efficiently hire staff can benefit from insights in restaurant staff hiring.

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

At age 16, teens can often secure positions that emphasize customer service, food prep, and basic operational tasks within restaurants.

Common entry-level roles include:

Cashier – handling transactions and serving customers at the register
Server – taking orders and delivering food (often non-tip roles or limited tipping due to age)
Host/Hostess – greeting guests and managing seating
Crew Member – performing various duties like prepping food, cleaning, and customer service support

These roles help develop interpersonal skills, punctuality, and teamwork while allowing teens to earn their first wages.

Those interested in understanding more about the server career path or the hostess interview process can explore valuable resources to prepare for these roles.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Wichita

Many popular fast-food chains in Wichita hire workers starting at age 16, offering a solid gateway to employment with flexible schedules.

Long John Silver's

This seafood fast-food chain offers team member positions starting at $11 per hour. Responsibilities include food preparation, ensuring cleanliness, and providing friendly customer service.

To get more insight on how to prepare job descriptions for entry-level positions, see creating restaurant job descriptions.

Subway

Subway hires 16-year-old Sandwich Artists, with pay ranging from $12 to $12.50 per hour. Employees prepare sandwiches, handle food safely, and interact with customers.

Wendy's

Wendy's welcomes crew members aged 16 and up for roles involving food prep, cashiering, and customer assistance in a fast-paced environment.

Little Caesars Pizza

Teens 16 and older can join as crew members performing pizza-making, order assembly, and store maintenance.

Those interested in pizza-making careers can discover more about the pizza maker job description and its skill requirements.

Dunkin'

Dunkin' employs 16-year-olds as crew members earning between $10 and $11 per hour. Duties include preparing products, following sanitation rules, and customer service.

Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Wichita

Fast-casual restaurants also provide opportunities for 16-year-olds, often with slightly higher wages and more varied roles.

Noodles & Company

This restaurant hires team members including cashiers and servers, offering wages from $11 to $17 per hour depending on position and experience.

Chili's

Hosts and hostesses aged 16 and above can work at Chili's, earning between $10 and $15 per hour while managing guest seating and initial interactions.

For hospitality employers, understanding how to effectively staff and retain employees is key; consider exploring strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover.

Jimmy John's

Jimmy John's hires team members starting at $11 per hour. Workers are involved in sandwich prep, order accuracy, and customer service.

Papa Murphy's

Teens can work as crew members earning $12 to $13 per hour, assisting with pizza preparation and customer orders.

Schlotzsky's

Schlotzsky's hires 16-year-olds for crew member roles, paying between $12 and $14 per hour for duties like food assembly and customer assistance.

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

In Kansas, 16 and 17-year-olds are permitted to work unlimited hours at any time of the day. However, the work must not interfere with their health, education, or welfare.

This lenient rule allows teens flexibility to balance school and work but emphasizes that employers and youth should prioritize well-being.

Employers still should avoid scheduling work that could be harmful or overly burdensome.

For detailed guidance, employers should review how to hire high performers to maintain productivity without overburdening young workers.

Resources for 16-Year-Olds Looking for Jobs in Wichita

Additional insights on legal employment for younger workers can be found in the age requirement job posting guide.

01. What kind of jobs can 16-year-olds get in Wichita restaurants?

16-year-olds in Wichita can get roles like cashier, server, host/hostess, and crew member in many restaurants.

02. Which fast-food chains hire 16-year-olds in Wichita?

Chains such as Long John Silver's, Subway, Wendy's, Little Caesars Pizza, and Dunkin' hire teens starting at 16.

03. Are there fast-casual jobs for 16-year-olds in Wichita?

Fast-casual restaurants like Noodles & Company, Chili's, Jimmy John's, Papa Murphy's and Schlotzsky's hire teens with wages ranging from $10 to $17 per hour.

04. How many hours can 16-year-olds work in Wichita?

Kansas allows 16 and 17-year-olds to work unlimited hours, provided it does not affect their health or education.

05. Where can I find information about child labor laws in Kansas?

Reliable resources include WorkforceHub, the Kansas State Legislature, and the University of Kansas Human Resources websites.