Working at Pizza Hut certainly has its advantages for a number of reasons, as we will see. And being a customer-driven organization, they are very keen to employ the right sort of people. But how old do you have to be to work at Pizza Hut?
Pizza Hut is a well-known restaurant chain selling pizza and other Italian-American-style food. It was founded in Kansas in 1958 and, as of 2019, has over 18,000 restaurants in various countries.
Amalgamated into a New Brand
It was bought out by PepsiCo in 1977. In 1997, along with Taco Bell and KFC, the three were amalgamated to form a new brand, Yum Brands.
While they are still a prominent site in many places, there have recently been over 300 store closures in various places. Perhaps that is indicative of the retail food business moving forward with far more online options now available than the old traditional ‘take-aways and drive-throughs.
So, let’s look at the company first and then we can look at their staff requirements.
Read more: Customer Service Supervisor Job Description
A Team Effort
Unlike some companies, Pizza Hut likes to develop a good relationship with its staff. They believe, probably rightly so, that they should develop a positive feeling in the staff member. And if they do, that will then spill over to the service given to the customer.
It is a serious business, of course, but it can also have its fun side. And Pizza Hut likes to emphasize that. They lay claim to helping you develop when you join the team. They will give you the time and opportunity to develop, and the opportunities for growth within the food industry can be wide-ranging.
So let’s take a look at what they offer, what they pay, what are the benefits, and what staff they are looking for. And of course, how old you need to be.
The Job Opportunities
The Server
Hourly Paid plus Tips.
As in most similar retail food businesses, the server is the face of the company. We have all been to a restaurant I am sure where the person serving us has ruined the experience. This could be with a bad attitude or just poor customer service. That is not allowed to happen at Pizza Hut.
Serving at Pizza Hut, part of which, of course, is help yourself self-service, is all about making hungry people happy. Therefore prompt and efficient service with a smile are the important things.
Being a server also will bring you in some tips from the customers, which goes towards your own pay packet.
In order to be a Server at Pizza Hut, you need to be at least 16 years old.
A Cook
Hourly Paid
There are plenty of people working at Pizza Hut who have learned culinary skills they never knew they had. Baking Pizza is not as easy as it looks, and it has to be done correctly. Pizza Hut teaches their cooks everything they need to know. After all, they need to be able to make the Pizza exactly how the customer expects it to be.
The cook is, of course, the one that is making things happen in the food preparation area. They also have experiences that cooks in some other retail operations do not have. Because of that, you should have a certain sort of personality.
You will need some certain skills to be a successful cook at Pizza Hut:
- A great attitude, as well as understanding the need to be on time and have plenty of energy.
- Understand the value of working as a team in the kitchen.
- Take pride in creating and laying out the food.
- Be a good communicator, as you may be talking to some customers face to face.
- And unlike other food outlets, it is possible you may be meeting the customers as you cook.
To work as a Cook at Pizza Hut, you need to be at least 16 years old.
Delivery Driver
Hourly Paid plus Tips.
This is one of those jobs that can’t really be described by the words’ delivery driver’. Yes, you are collecting the food and delivering it. But you are doing so while having a good time listening to your own music while getting paid for it.
You will need to have an agreeable personality, of course, and a nice smile. But there are also one or two other things you will need to be considered for a position as a delivery driver.
- Your own reliable car with insurance.
- A Clean Driving Licence.
- Happy Personality.
- Know how to find your way around, or use your SatNav.
To work as a Delivery Driver for Pizza Hut, you need to be at least 18 years.
So Let’s talk a little more about age.
Back to Your Age
In many states, there are regulatory controls and minimum age requirements for working. Pizza Hut also has its own age requirements regulations.
Can You Work at Pizza Hut if You Are 15 Years Old?
The answer to that is, unfortunately, no. The minimum age requirement is 16 years. You can apply coming up to your 16th birthday, but you can not start working until after you are 16.
Can You Work At Pizza Hut if You’re 16 Years Old?
Yes, the minimum age is 16 years, and so you can apply for certain jobs. You would qualify age-wise for either a server or cook at an entry-level grade. As I have already mentioned, to be a delivery driver, you would need to be at least 18 years old.
How Much Does Pizza Hut pay?
As with many places, the basic hourly rate can vary from place to place. This will depend on the minimum wage laws for various states. However, it is possible to approximate and give an average.
A Server
A server at Pizza Hut will earn between $3-5 per hour as a base figure. This will be topped up by tips which will have a direct effect on your overall pay level. Across the company, the average rate of pay before tips is $4 per hour.
A Cook
The rate of pay you can expect as a cook will be between minimum wage and $11 per hour. This is considered by Pizza Hut as an entry-level position. It is likely then that coming in with no experience, your hourly rate will be at the lower end.
If you can demonstrate any experience of cooking in a similar environment, the hourly rate could be higher than the minimum wage. The average wage for a Cook across the company is $8 per hour.
A Delivery Driver
You will earn extra money from tips as a delivery driver. But you will have some expenses to incur with your vehicle.
The basic hourly pay rate is a little higher at between $8-15 per hour. Across the company, the average hourly rate is $8 per hour before tips.
Do You Need Experience to Work at Pizza Hut?
As Pizza Hut considers itself an entry-level company, they will take new employees who have no experience. All that the job entails, you will be taught in-house. However, if you have some experience in a similar food retailer, then that will count to your advantage. It does give you a bargaining chip to try to secure a higher basic rate.
A little experience might also move you through the ranks into a supervisory and later to a managerial role a little quicker.
If You Secure an Interview
You are bound to be asked a variety of questions, but there are two things to remember at your interview.
- First, remind yourself of how Pizza Hut sees themselves in the retail food market, which is as a positive and happy place.
- Secondly, make sure you dress appropriately for the occasion.
As this is a company that is serving fresh food, they will be expecting you to be clean and well-groomed. And as a company that cares about its public image, they will expect you to be smart. And this applies especially to the interview.
Being well-dressed at the interview means casually wearing a nice pair of trousers and a nice shirt with clean shoes. Certainly, there will be no room for jeans and trainers if you want to make an impression.
What Are The Benefits Of Working at Pizza Hut?
Nearly all of the benefits offered to workers apply only to full-time staff. However, every member of staff, be they full or part-time, gets a free meal for each shift they are on.
The Benefits to Full-Time Staff Are:
- Annual Holiday.
- Paid Sick Leave.
- Paid Time Off if required.
- Insurance covering medical, vision, and dental expenses.
- Company Pension Plan.
- 401K with company match.
Need Some More Guidance?
Then take a look at Get That Job!: The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview and My first interview.: Keys to getting that first job. They might come in very useful if this is your first interview.
And a nice shirt will create a good image; I recommend the Dockers Men’s Long Sleeve Signature Comfort Flex Shirt.
Looking for More Great Fast Food Career Options?
First of all, it’s most definitely worth taking a look at our informative coverage of the Pizza Hut Application and finding out what the Pizza Hut Interview Questions and Pizza Hut Team Member Interview Questions are, as well as Does Pizza Hut Hire Felons?
Are you a pizza lover, and the thought of working in any other type of restaurant just isn’t appealing? Then check out our Round Table Pizza Application, our Marco’s Pizza Application, our Dominos Pizza Application, our Blaze Pizza Application, our Pizza Ranch Application, and our Getti’s Pizza Application.
However, if you’re also thinking of applying to some other fast-food chains, then take a look at our KFC Interview Questions, Burger King Interview Questions, Wendy’s Interview Questions, the Arby’s Application, Chuck E Cheese Interview Questions, the Rally’s Application, or the Panda Express Application for 2023.
Or, if you want to brush up on your knowledge of Italian culture and cuisine to really impress your boss, here are some great reads to look at, La Dolce Vita University, La Cucina: The Regional Cooking Of Italy, Old World Italian, Italy-Culture Smart!, and the Essentials Of Classic Italian Cooking.
Final Thoughts
Pizza Hut may not be the highest basic salary provider around, but they do present opportunities. And the rate of tips can be significant if you make an impression on the customer. And that is what many rely on.
They are an entry-level company that presents great opportunities for young people to get onto the employment ladder, which is no bad thing. They are also a great part-time option if you are studying and need a little bit of extra money.
And with some extra benefits given to full-time staff, you could do a lot worse than getting a job at Pizza Hut.
All the very best with your Pizza Hut Application.
