Top Stores Where 16-Year-Old Can Find Employment
Are you under 16 years of age and looking for a job? If yes, then listen up. There is good news for you because we will list the stores that hire at 16. Many 14 and 15-year-olds have reasons for wanting to work.
You might want to start saving for college early.
When your teenager decides they want a job, it’s a big step toward independence. However, just because they’re eager to work doesn’t mean employers are necessarily ready to hire them.
We have the lists of places that hire at 14 and 15, as well as those that hire at 16. However, before then, be informed that there are labor laws for minors.
The List of Stores that Hire at 16
Below, we have listed the retail establishments that hire minors. However, most set the hiring age at 16, but some hire teens as young as 14.
The three main types of businesses that are willing to hire younger workers are Restaurants, Grocery stores, and Entertainment venues.
Here is the list of stores that will hire 14, 15 and 16-year-olds.
1. Arby’s
Arby’s Restaurants first opened in the 1960s. Today they have over 3400 locations in the U.S. And they have some of the best roast beef sandwiches around.
Many Arby’s locations will hire 14 and 15-year-olds for positions such as cashier, food prep, and cleaning positions. Hiring age and working schedule may vary by location and based on state-specific laws.
2. Burger King
Burger King hires 14 and 16-year-olds as well in some of their 17,000+ locations. Check with local locations for more details.
The flame-broiled burgers are a big draw for customers and employees alike. You can work here on the clean-up crew, as a cashier, or in other positions.
3. Baskin Robbins
Baskin Robbins is the home of endless flavors of ice cream. They’ve got nearly 3,000 locations in the United States alone.
With stores in 46 out of the 50 states, you may be able to find one near you. Baskin Robbins will typically hire as young as 14 at most stores.
4. Kentucky Fried Chicken
KFC has over 4,400 locations in the U.S. and over 22,000 locations worldwide. People just can’t get enough of that chicken.
KFC restaurant locations in some areas hire 14 and 15-year-olds as customer service providers or clean-up crew positions.
5. Ben and Jerry’s
Ben and Jerry’s is the home of famously surprising ice cream concoctions. Have you tried their famous Chunky Monkey?
Ben and Jerry’s has scoop shops throughout the U.S. They hire workers as young as 14 years old at most stores.
6. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen has over 4,000 locations in the U.S. They hire workers as young as 14 years old. Available jobs vary by location.
You might work as a cashier, food preparer or cook, or a restaurant cleaner.
7. American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle has over 1,000 stores in the US, Mexico, Canada, China, and Hong Kong.
They generally hire teenagers 16 years or older to stock shelves or as a brand ambassador to help with floor sales and register transactions.
8. The Banana Republic
Banana Republic has over 500 clothing stores in the US and Puerto Rico.
The minimum age requirement to work there is 16 years old. Entry-level positions are eligible for stock associate or store associate positions.
9. Aeropostale
Aeropostale has over 780 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. The retail store also has 350 locations in foreign countries around the world.
It’s the best place to work for teens who enjoy cheap trendy clothes for young men and women.
10. Levi’s
Levi’s is the world’s leading branded denim jeans company with over 220 locations in the United States.
They employ thousands of people in the US. The Levi’s retail stores start hiring at 16.
11. Barnes & Noble College
Barnes & Noble College has more than 750 campus stores in 50 states.
This is the best place to work for teens who like to read, meet great customers, and have unlimited books at their fingertips.
12. Best Buy
Best Buy is one of the largest consumer electronics retailers with over 1,000 locations in the US and across the country. The hiring age is 16, but some stores require you to be 17 or even 18.
Jobs for minors include car installation, cashier, customer service, and asset protection to prevent theft.
13. Sears
The minimum Sears hiring age is 16 years old. First-time jobs for teens include human resources, call center, merchandising, sales, or receiving associates.
There are additional opportunities to be a tire and battery installer, field operations specialist, or loss prevention associate if you are at least 18 years old.
14. CVS Health
CVS Health has about 10,000 retail pharmacies and healthcare locations in 49 states.
Also, CVS’s age requirement is a minimum of 16 years old. Potential positions include cashier, beauty care associate with makeup and skincare knowledge, or sales associate to organize shelves and assist customers.
15. Hy-Vee
The Hy-Vee grocery stores have 240 store locations in the Midwestern United States. Some stores hire 14- and 15-year-olds and some don’t. Positions for younger workers vary.
16. Kroger
Kroger operates over 2,750 grocery stores in the USA and it also owns other stores which are named Fry’s, King Soopers, and Smith’s.
One of the stores does not even impose a minimum age of 14 years for employment of the workers. You’ll need to inquire directly at your local store to ensure that they do have hiring at 14.
17. AMC Theatres
AMC offers jobs to anyone who’s 16 or above and older. Some places may have a policy of hiring other younger teens to do certain jobs.
Profits are free movie tickets, food discounts, schedule flexibility, and the chance for scholarships.
18. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A might hire students aged 14 as young as in some restaurants but it is dependent on the store location. They allow you to build your own schedule and provide scholarships.
19. McDonald’s
Teenagers are one of the key groups in McDonald’s hiring policy. They are hired starting at the age of 14 with a work permit that is necessary for some jobs.
The age minimum typically ranges from 18 to 21 years old, depending on the location. They provide individuals with alternative working hours, job training, and compensation in the form of benefits.
20. Taco Bell
Generally, it is 16 or above for a person to be allowed to work at Taco Bell, but a few franchises allow 15-year-olds with a driving permit for particular positions.
In addition, they will also recruit 14-year-olds for nonhazardous jobs.
21. Six Flags
The teens who are at least 15 years old can work for Six Flags in positions like the business of tickets or food service.
In some cases, the minimum age requirement could be 40 years old and above.
22. Panera Bread
Most jobs at Panera are for 16-year-olds, but some are open only to 15-year-olds depending on the state.
It is one of the best places to work at this time.
23. California Pizza Kitchen
You can be an hourly host at California Pizza Kitchen at the age of 15. However, you will have to be 18 to serve alcohol as a server.
Working here helps me to feel confident to ask for support and advice from adults.
24. Boston Market
If are 15, Boston Market might consider you for certain job positions.
The prices of the food are reduced, you can even get a scholarship to help you pay the tuition.
25. Publix
In a normal Publix store, 14 years old is the criteria for hiring cashiers, baggers, etc.
They too have openings for 16- and 17-year-olds. There is a great teen job opportunity.
26. Babysitting
Parents and families frequently require some assistance in providing care to their children. Network leverage is another way to find more clients.
You can let them know that you are available for babysitting or tutoring, which will automatically open a door for more opportunities and better pay as you gain more experience.
27. Community Centers
Local community centers and parks have positions for teens aged 14 and above. They can get jobs like front desk support, teaching, coaching, and lifeguarding.
Make sure to check the community center or the city website for any available jobs.
28. Local Coffee Shop
There are plenty of coffee shops and they are always full, so extra staff is required, particularly the baristas who make coffee.
Besides that, you will be the customer service contact and assist in cleaning and prep work.
29. Stop & Shop
This Stop & Shop supermarket chain is a youth employment venue where 15-year-olds work in departments like floral, grocery, or bakery.
Teenagers need to consider our place as a possible job location.
30. U-Haul
By age 14, if you have good customer service skills, U-Haul provides a virtual customer service associate position that you can do from home.
It is a wonderful job for a teen to undertake.
31. Giant Eagle
In many states, Giant Eagle hires teens as young as 14 and 15 for jobs like cashier, clerk, attendant, etc.
Make sure to enquire at your shop if they need workers.
Labor Laws for Minors Under 16
When looking for a job as a teenager, keep in mind that most states typically require minors to obtain a work permit with the help of a legal parent/guardian.
The Department of Labor lists the states that require minors to have a work permit and/or an age certificate.
Also, most stores only have a few slots open for younger employees, partially because minors can only work limited hours while other stores only hire teens as seasonal employees.
Retail jobs for minors normally pay minimum wage. The current minimum hourly wage as set by the Department of Labor is $7.25.
However, employers may pay employees under age 20 a minimum hourly wage of $4.25 for the first 90 days of employment or until the employee reaches age 20, whichever comes first.
Tips for Landing a Store Job at 16
Keep the following tips in mind throughout your job search to help you find and qualify for the right opportunities:
1. Put Together a Resume
Even if the application doesn’t ask for one, it might be a good idea to write one.
A resume will help you make a good impression, and you’ll be able to use it as a starting point as you gain more work experience.
Consider looking at a tutorial the first time you put together a resume.
2. Make Sure You Have the Proper Paperwork
Most states require minors to obtain a work permit and/or an age certificate.
As noted above, the U.S. Department of Labor lists which states require minors to have a work permit and/or an age certificate.
3. Gather References
A retail job will usually ask you to provide two to four references.
You’ll want your references to come from people who know you well but aren’t your parents or immediate family.
Teachers, coaches, mentors, or any other adult in your life for whom you’ve done some odd jobs are the best people to ask.
4. Practice Your Interview Skills
If you can, get your parents or another adult to help you with a mock interview.
Practice answering interview questions until you feel confident enough to go through with the real thing.
5. Accept the Job Offer and Work Hard
If you stick with it, you should get at least one job offer.
After you’ve made sure you actually want the job, you can accept the offer and make a plan to be the best worker you can be.
Do your best to commit to the job after you’ve accepted it, as this will now become a part of your resume.
Finding stores that hire at 16 can open up exciting opportunities for teenagers to gain independence, earn some cash, and develop valuable skills.
From grocery chains to coffee shops and beyond, there are plenty of options out there.
So, if you’re a teen eager to start working, don’t be discouraged if the first place you apply to isn’t hiring just keep searching, and you’ll find the right fit for you.