Best Fast Food Jobs for Teens

Working at McDonald’s or Wendy’s has always been a great way for younger people to spread their wings, make some cash and become more independent.

Working for fast food chains is a consistent way to bring in a reliable money stream. It’s the perfect teen job for students or even those looking for quick cash in the summer or the lead-up to Christmas. However, the world of fast-food chains is rapidly evolving, and the brands that are the current best fast food jobs for teens in 2023 are drastically different from ten years ago.

But what makes a fast-food job so great for teens? And what are the best current fast-food brands to apply for a job?

Let’s find out…

Why Do Teens Work At Fast Food Chains?

Employment opportunities are sparse if you are under 18 years old. It’s like being in recruitment limbo due to labor laws. For sure, you could get a job babysitting or even running errands or doing odd jobs, but it’s not consistent work or money.

Working at a fast-food joint will give your stability, a regular working schedule, and a predictable paycheck so you can start to live your life properly.

Work and study at the same time…

If you have just left school and are looking for an entry-level job and are under 18. It’s a great way to get your foot on the employment ladder. You can even work your way up the chain of command from a standard worker to become a supervisor or even a shop manager.

You can then use this managerial experience to find other avenues of employment in the future with your newfound work experience. Fast-food chains offer flexible hours for students so you can balance your studying while making some essential cash. So, what are the best fast-food chains for teen jobs?

Let’s take a look at the best fast-food stores in no particular order that happily hire teens.

Auntie Anne’s Crew Member Teen Jobs

If you love the scent of bread baking, getting a teen job as an Auntie Annie’s Crew Member is a good choice. This pretzel paradise has a branch in almost every mall in America, so you should easily find one local to you.

Getting a job here working the cash register is quite easy for a teenager, and although the salary is minimum wage, but everyone has to start somewhere. You can either go directly to your local branch and inquire there or visit their website and apply.

Starbucks Barista Jobs For Teens

The dramatic growth at Starbucks over the past decade has been one biggest business success stories in recent times. There are currently around 15,000 Starbucks locations in America, with nearly 3,000 locations in California alone.

If you are a coffee-loving teen looking for employment, this could be your dream job because you will receive a 30% discount on all Starbucks products. The main teen jobs at Starbucks Barista include making drinks for customers and working the cash register, and handling money.

These jobs usually pay around minimum wage, although in some states, the hourly rate is $10 per hour. To apply for a job, I suggest you visit their official website and apply directly from there.

Work at Domino’s Pizza

If you’re a pizza addict like me, a teen job working at the world-famous Domino’s Pizza really will fill you up. As a Domino’s employee, you will automatically receive a 40% discount on all their food products whether you are on or off duty.

That’s almost two pizzas for the price of one! Imagine the money you can save on your monthly food bills? Okay, you might have to extend your belt buckle a few notches, but you won’t be starving to death!

You need a motorbike or car…

The main two jobs reserved for teens are Customer Services and Delivery Personnel. The Customer Services jobs pay minimum wage. Their duties include taking orders on the phone, working on the cash register, and/or preparing food. It’s the perfect teen entry-level job if you don’t have any prior work experience.

As a Delivery Person, you are expected to deliver pizza orders locally via motorbike or car. But you will need a valid driver’s license and also have basic math skills. You’ll also need a smartphone with GPS and will need to be 18 or older. This job pays around $22 per hour, so it can be quite lucrative if you can drive.

Pot Belly Associate Teen Jobs

Did you know that over 300 million sandwiches are eaten every day in the USA? That’s nearly one sandwich on average for each person in America daily. If you’re a sandwich connoisseur looking for a teen job, you should try your luck at Potbelly as an associate.

This outstanding sandwich store brand has branches right across America, offering both full-time and part-time jobs. And the salary is generally minimum wage.

Flexible hours for students…

Potbelly Associate jobs are mainly food preparation, but they do offer flexible hours, which are ideal for students. Their employees automatically get a 50% discount on all food items. You can apply for positions at Potbelly by visiting their official careers page.

Chipotle Team Member Teen Jobs

College students looking for part-time jobs should seriously consider becoming a Chipotle Team Member. If you are a college student, you need to know that Chipotle restaurants offer up to $5,250 tuition assistance annually for certain degree types.

Plus, you can eat for free every day and also fit your working shifts around your college classes and study time. You won’t be pressured into working shifts that mess with your education.

Interested in cooking?

To get a job here, you must have an interest in cooking. Most of their jobs revolve around working on the grill and making salsa. Although you could apply for a cashier job as well. If you speak any other languages, you have an even better chance of getting a teen job here. Apply for a Chipotle Job now on their official careers page.

Five Guys Crew Member Jobs

If you are aged between 16 and 18 and are in employment limbo, apply for a job as a Five Guys Crew Member. And although minimum age requirements vary across states, many accept 16-year-olds.

They offer lots of great jobs opportunities and benefits for teens. The jobs range from operating the grill and being a cashier. Both full and part-time jobs are available.

Loads of benefits…

After working for only 90 days for Five Guys, you automatically get free telemedicine even if you are a part-time worker with low hours. It’s one of the best fast-food jobs for teens or students looking for flexible working hours and loads of benefits. You can apply directly at their official website.

Panera Team Members Jobs for Teens

If you’re a teen who hates working in the evenings because you have a life and you prefer lunchtime jobs, becoming a Panera Team Member is a great choice. Their working hours largely revolve around lunch as they are a bakery for pastries and other cake products.

They usually employ teens in specific positions in a restaurant, either baking goods or servicing customers. And although the salary is minimum wage, it’s a friendly place to work.

Work under pressure…

Line Cooks and Cashiers are the main two jobs that teens can apply for at Panera. If you enjoy cooking, a position on a Panera cooking assembly line should suit you.

You need to be able to work under pressure, but boy, does the time fly. To apply for a cashier job, you need to have good communication skills and be able to handle money.

Dairy Queen Teen Jobs

Working as a team member for Dairy Queen is a great job for teens looking for an entry-level avenue into employment. It’s minimum wage, but it’s a great place to start your working life.

The numerous teen job opportunities include cashier positions, working on the grill, and as a chill staff crew member. The responsibilities of a cashier job would be to take orders, handle money, and even help out cleaning tables.

Why not work the grill…

A Chill Staff job entails restocking items, filling soft-serve orders, and could also include taking food to the tables of customers. This job is for someone who lacks experience in the workplace.

If you’re a budding chef or enjoy cooking, working on the grill station would ideally suit you. This position also pays slightly more per hour than cashiers and chill staff. I advise you to visit the Dairy Queen official website to apply for teen jobs.

How To Apply?

It can be difficult for teenagers to apply for their first job, even if it’s just a part-time job that’s flexible for students. If you’ve never applied for a job before, the first thing you need to do is get your paperwork in check. Turning up for an interview with only a smile and naivety will not fill your potential employer with confidence.

Although most employers will understand that you don’t have an action-packed resume with vast work experience, you will need a copy of your birth certificate, a passport, driving license, or another form of official ID. So here is some advice on the things you might need to take into consideration as a teen applying for a fast-food job for the first time.

Do I have time for a full-time job?

Do you have the commitment to take on a full-time job? If you cannot commit to the hours needed, don’t apply in the first place. Once hired, you have a responsibility to work a set amount of hours at your employer’s request.

This is usually for several hours per day, at least five days per week, sometimes possibly six. Working in a fast food joint will usually include evenings and weekends, so make sure you can commit to those hours.

If you’re a student, you’ll be more suited to a part-time job with flexible hours. Most of the fast-food chains we listed offer flexible part-time hours for college students. Please bear this in mind before applying.

Do I need a resume?

It’s always a good idea to have a resume to show your potential employer at your job interview. But it’s not essential when applying for entry-level jobs because you will have very limited or no previous work experience.

However, if you can make a CV that details your education, your hobbies, interests, and contact details, you will look more willing and professional.

Ability to work in a team…

If you do have some work experience in areas that relate to your potential employer’s business, always include them in your resume. For example, if you have cooking experience and you are applying for a line cook job or working on a grill, it will come in handy.

It will separate you from your competitors, which is always a good thing. Any sort of allegiances with school groups, after-school activities, or sports teams that show your leadership skills will also be a plus factor and should be mentioned.

Do I take my job interview seriously?

Don’t take liberties when it comes to job interviews. Always turn up on time, and ten minutes early if possible. Dress smart, be well-groomed, and always be polite, considerate, and friendly. Job interviewers always like to ask questions such as, what are you interested in? Where do you see yourself in five years? And what makes you ideally suited to this job?

Therefore, always make sure you prepare and have answers for these sorts of questions. “Tell me about yourself?” is also a question that is often used to test your on-the-spot thinking and to quickly gauge your personality.

Job Applications And Resumes For You

As mentioned above, these restaurants are awesome and fun to work at! So, check out my Chipotle Mexican Grill Application, and Chipotle Interview Questions, or my Panera Bread Application and Panera Bread Interview Questions, as well as my Dominos Pizza Application and Dominos Pizza Interview Questions, or my Dairy Queen Application, and Dairy Queen Interview Questions. Then, of course, we have our Starbucks Application, Auntie Annes Application, and Five Guys Burgers And Fries Application in 2023.

Next is the all-important resume guides I’ve put together for you such as How To List Education On A Resume, the Most Important Skills To Put On A Resume, Motivation Letter Writing Guide, or perhaps you want to know How To Address A Cover Letter, and Achievements To List On Your Resume, and of course the Best Times Of Year To Apply For Jobs, because timing is everything!

But wait, that’s not all! We also found some great online advice on resumes and CVs with the Land Your Dream Job: Join the 2% Who Make it Past Resumé Screening, Optimize Your Resume: DOs and DON’Ts the SamNova Way, the Resume Formats book, or the Resume Format Guide.

Along with the CVs, Resumes, and LinkedIn: A Guide to Professional English, and Resume Writing: 10 Ridiculously Simple Tips, Marketing Yourself in the Age of Digital: CVs, Applications, Interviews, Social Media, LinkedIn, the English for Academic CVs, Resumes, and Online Profiles, and finally How to Write an Amazing IT Resume all available online today.

Final Thoughts

Now you know about the best fast-food chains that employ teens and how to handle yourself in the interview. You need to start applying for jobs. So, get to it and apply for roles that suit you, your desired hours, and the types of jobs you can do. And always take into account the benefits of each company, such as any healthcare benefits or discounts on food products.

Take a couple of hours to carefully apply online at the company’s official websites. Or you can even physically visit your closest branch to apply in person. But you can’t get a job if you don’t apply! It’s a numbers game, and you need to be in it to win it.

So, be as proactive as possible. You could be earning cash very quickly if you act now, so don’t delay.

All the very best working in your Fast Food Job!