KFC, aka Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a great company to work for if you need an entry-level position to immerse yourself in the labor force. Jobs offer relatively competitive starting pay, free training, and a safe environment for first-time workers.
Young teens seeking employment at KFC may wonder at what age it hires and what laws apply to the hiring of minors. So, if you’re a teenager considering a job at KFC and want to know what you must do to get hired, check out my research!
Key Takeaways
What Age Does KFC Hire In 2022?
KFC’s minimum age requirement is 16; however, you may work at KFC at age 15 with a student work permit as of 2022. At KFC, teens can work as cashiers, cooks, and in the realm of customer service. Some laws govern the treatment of minor employees in fast-food environments like KFC, which dictate hours and scheduling.
There are numerous qualifications and requirements that you’ll need for any job, including an entry-level one. If you’re a 16-year-old and want to learn more about KFC’s hiring practices, keep reading!
Can Someone Younger Than 16-Years-Old Work at KFC?
While KFC hires 16-year-old workers in all states, you must obtain a student work pass or permit if you’re 15 years of age.
Furthermore, you may be able to get hired at the age of 14 in some states with a permit as well.
Accordingly, there are a few laws that govern the employment of minors in fast-food establishments.
For example, these rules often include how to schedule on school days; for instance, teens may work between 7 am to 7 pm outside of Labor Day.
What Kind Of Positions Can A Teen Hold At KFC?
High school-aged teens, preferably between 14 and 16 years of age, can work as a cashier or cooks. Also, younger employees can work in the customer service area.
Correspondingly, minors are often placed in a particular position depending on how young they are.
For example, a 14-year-old can only run the register. Also, you must be 15 years of age to be a cook and 16 to work the deep fryer.
What Are Teens’ Typical Job Responsibilities At KFC?
Teen responsibilities at KFC greatly depend on their job position. Generally, a cashier has to run the register, and a cook prepares meals while operating the fryer.
By the same token, a few of these positions branch into other areas. An example is a cashier, who has to keep the front counter clean and greet customers.
Can A 16-Year-Old Work Full-Time At KFC?
KFC employees who are minors cannot work more than an eight-hour day by law. That said, teens are not permitted to work over 40 hours a week either.
Basically, employers can’t schedule a 16-year-old employee for 32 hours one week and 48 hours the next.
In other words, managers can’t cheat the system by playing games with a worker’s time.
How Much Can Teens Earn Working At KFC?
Starting pay will significantly depend on the position held. For instance, a KFC cook’s wage is roughly $9.90 an hour.
While that pay rate is somewhat competitive, other restaurants, like Panda Express, pay the cooks over $13.00 an hour.
Incidentally, a KFC cashier can make between $7 to $11.00 hourly, with $9.00 being the average. Of course, the rate of pay can depend on franchise location and experience.
Does KFC Hold Your First Paycheck?
No, pay periods operate in such a way where it can seem as if your check is being held “a week in the hole.”
In actuality, you’re being paid for the days you worked before an established pay period, which doesn’t change by when you’re hired.
Undoubtedly, this can confuse minor workers who don’t grasp pay schedules, which are established to make accounting easier.
Also, it allows you the ability to get a final paycheck if you decide to leave KFC’s employment.
Is Personal Documentation Needed To Get Hired At KFC?
To sign up for benefits and get paid via direct deposit, as well as submit a W-2 form, you will need state-issued documentation.
Further, such documentation includes but is not limited to state-issued ID, a driver’s license, social security card, or passport.
Additionally, you may have to provide more than one form of ID at the time of hire.
That said, these steps ensure you receive your benefits and pay and protects the franchise against potential litigation if the individual is not legally allowed to work there.
How Do You Apply For A Job At KFC?
Applying for a job at KFC can occur in one of two ways, in person or online. To apply online, visit KFC’s official website.
However, just be sure to set aside ample time, as it can take up to 30 minutes to complete the forms.
Also, you may show up at one of the 5,000 KFC franchise locations and speak with a hiring manager onsite.
That said, be sure to have your work permit, resume, or documentation handy if you choose to go this route.
To know more about KFC, you can also see our posts on what is KFC, McDonald’s vs. KFC, and if KFC tales Apple Pay.
Conclusion
KFC hires high school-aged minors for entry-level positions at its numerous franchises, including cook, customer service rep, and cashier jobs.
Also, while you can get hired by KFC at the age of 16-year-old in any state, you must obtain a work permit to be considered for employment if you are between 14-15 years of age.
Additionally, minor workers will only be able to work a given amount of hours by law and cannot be scheduled for overtime pay.
Therefore, due consideration has to be given when deciding the starting pay of teen workers and how to schedule teens during school hours.