Chick-fil-A, one of the largest fast-food chains worldwide, has recently become an attractive choice for many young students seeking employment. The brand has many positions available for people of diverse skill sets and experience, constantly hiring new employees in great quantities at a time.

Whether those positions are open to younger applicants (below 16) concerns many of our readers. Below is what I have gathered from my research on Chick-fil-A age requirements.

What Age Does Chick-fil-A Hire?

Most Chick-fil-A locations set the minimum age requirement at 16 for their employees. But some positions are open for workers who are as young as 14 to 15 years old. This inclusive, welcoming environment is part of why Chick-fil-A has become more popular among young students who seek working experience without giving up their school grades.

When applying for jobs, these minors must show their legal work permits (obtained through the local branches of the U.S. Department of Labor) to confirm they can balance their work and study.

Is Chick-fil-A A Good Place for Teens to Work?

Most responders in my survey shared positive feedback regarding their working experience at Chick-fil-A as teenagers; they learned to hone their time and money management skills while gaining new insights and experience from their seniors.

However, note that too much workload takes away your time to have fun with peers or develop personal hobbies; you might also lose sight of learning if not managed carefully.

The Pros

Chick-fil-A jobs are not educationally demanding but require lots of dedication. You can develop a better sense of responsibility, which helps you advance in life to achieve more success.
While working and interacting with different types of people, you will understand more about your identity and current societal position.

Time management is one of the most critical skills to cope with different hardships in life, and any job position at Chick-fil-A can help you hone that skill to perfection. The same applies to money management; it’s difficult to have a stable future career if you fail to spend your budget wisely.
Working with many experienced seniors gives you a glimpse into adult life and helps you become more mature.

The Cons

These jobs can be stressful. Before signing in, make sure you can shoulder all the responsibilities.

In my opinion, teenagers should still spend their free time having fun with friends or investing in other interests and hobbies. If you prioritize those ambitions above all else, taking a new job might not be the greatest idea for now.
From what I observed, excessive workloads tend to affect grades at school; make sure both your job and schoolwork can fit into your schedule.

What Are Chick-fil-A Hiring Requirements and Hiring Process?

Here’s how a Chick-fil-A hiring process is carried out:

Stage 1. Application

To apply, you can fill out the online application form on the brand’s website. If needed, visit a local Chick-fil-A store to ask whether any vacancy is available.

Most stores require you to be at least 16; if not, you must have a legal work permit. Friendly attitudes, great teamwork skills, and good customer service are other criteria to land a job at Chick-fil-A, according to my research; some positions also require specific qualifications (e.g., prior experience in food safety).

Stage 2. Interview

After submitting your application, you may receive an invitation to an interview (either via video or in person, depending on the circumstances). The interviewers will discuss your interests, goals, and work experiences.

Even when you do well in these interviews, Chick-fil-A still has to check your background information (reference check, criminal records, etc.) one last time before sending you the job offer.

Stage 3. Job Offer

Once your background check is cleared, Chick-fil-A will send you a detailed job offer that describes your position, salary, and extra benefits. You should read through them carefully and request immediate clarifications for anything unclear/unmentioned before accepting this offer.

How long it takes before you receive the offer depends on your chosen position and the number of applicants.

Stage 4. Training

Wrapping up is the training process. To ensure all its new hires are ready for their new positions, Chick-fil-A introduces both e-learning modules and on-the-job training regarding work procedures, company policies, customer service, food preparation, and food safety. Other necessary information about the brand’s values and culture is also mentioned.

Aside from compulsory training, the brand provides optional training initiatives, including Product knowledge or Leadership Development seminars.

What Are The Jobs Available for Teens At Chick Fil A?

1. Front Team Members

As a front team member, you will interact and communicate often with clients on the floor. Plus, depending on circumstances, you might also juggle between cashier tasks, customer service, utilities, and more all at once!

The job is non-dangerous and requires little education, which partly explains why the brand prefers to hire minors. Prior experience or training is also not necessary.

Requirements

At least 14 years old

Friendly personality; good customer service
Patience
Multitasking abilities

Communication skills
Basic math
Physical stamina (since you might have to stand for long)

Salary: $13.3 per hour (as of October 30, 2023).

2. Back-House Team Member

Unlike front teams, back-house team members are responsible for the kitchen area. You must be more than 16 years old since the position involves food handling and working around flames.

In most cases, the team will manage dishwashing stations, assemble foods and drinks, or monitor the kitchen (or all of them, depending on the store). Some are even required to work at the front in urgent situations.

Requirements:

At least 16 years old
Interpersonal skills

Good time management
Communication skills
Stewardship

Physical stamina (to lift heavy loads and items)

Salary: $13.65 per hour (As of October 18, 2023).

3. Drive-Thru Operator

This position requires no experience; as long as you have a friendly attitude and basic people skills, you are in!

There’s no need to interact face-to-face with Chick-fil-A customers; performing multiple roles is not in the book, either. Your only job is to operate/monitor the drive-thru window, supervise the registers, and confirm customer orders.

Requirements:

16 years old or more

Friendly personality
Flexible schedule
Communication skills

Keen attention to small details
Basic math

Salary: $15 per hour (by October 15, 2023).

4. Kitchen Team Member

For this position, you will help other members of the kitchen team to assemble orders accurately and quickly, ensuring no delays. Not much experience is required; as long as you enjoy serving people and have great enthusiasm/decent kitchen skills, you are hired.

Requirements:

At least 16 years old

Can handle pots/pans and navigate low/high shelves
Basic math
Great flexibility during shifts and under pressure

Adapting well to quick orders and changes

Salary: $14.7 (As of August 4, 2023)

5. Food Team Members

To work as a food team member, you will handle the food and beverage orders and offer great customer service. Quick food preparation and delivery are also part of the job description. You also have to clean, sanitize, mop, and sweep the food preparation area, patios, floors, and walkways.

Requirements:

At least 16 years old
Enthusiasm with a positive attitude

Can work flexible hours
Multitasking abilities

Salary: about $12 per hour

How Many Hours Can Minors Work At Chick-fil-A?

Most states (like New York) have clear restrictions regarding minors’ working hours to ensure they can balance their work and studies. Specifically, if school is still in session, young workers 14 to 15 years old must only:

Work 3 hours or less every school day
Work 8 hours or less on Saturdays or non-school days

Work 18 hours or less for the whole week
Work 6 days (or less) a week

During holidays or school vacations, these limits loosen up a little. Minors must:

Work 8 hours or less a day and up to 6 days a week
Work 40 hours or less in one week
Work no more than 48 hours in one week (if you are at least 16 years old)

How Hard Is It To Get A Job At Chick-fil-A?

It is generally not that difficult to get a job at these fast-food restaurants. The company has a high turnover rate, so there are many job openings available.

Still, the company is known for its high standards for customer service and employee behavior. Here are some tips to ace your interview and become a Chick-fil-A employee:

Be positive and enthusiastic. Chick-fil-A. is looking for employees who are excited to work for the company and are committed to providing excellent customer service.

Be well-groomed and dressed appropriately. Employees working at Chick-fil-A restaurant chains must wear clean and professional clothing, so ensure you look your best for the interview.
Be prepared to answer any question about your previous experience and work ethic.

Conclusion

You can work at Chick-fil-A at 14 or 15 in some locations, but make sure your hobbies or school grades do not suffer from the extra workloads. Aside from legal work permits (compulsory for all minor workers), double-check with the manager to see if you need any other documents or paperwork for applications.