How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Chick-fil-A?

Working at Chick-fil-A is a popular first job for teens and a reliable part-time option for adults. But the minimum hiring age varies, and franchise operators set many of their own rules. Below is the definitive, up-to-date guide on how old you need to be, what roles minors can work, labour-law restrictions, and how to get hired.

Minimum Age Requirements to work at Chick-fil-A

Every location of Chick‑fil‑A is independently owned and operated (franchise model), which means the minimum age to work there is not standardized across all units. Corporate guidance explicitly states that hiring decisions — including age minimums — are made locally and prospective applicants should “contact the specific restaurant’s hiring team for details.”

From research into multiple franchise listings and job-boards, a few common patterns emerge:

Some locations advertise hiring 14- and 15-year-olds — often with a work permit requirement. For example, one store’s online job postings declare: “14 & 15 year olds with work permit: We employ a very limited number of 14 & 15 year olds.”
Other franchise units list 16 years old as the minimum age. One franchise in Las Vegas explicitly states: “Please understand that we do not hire under the age of 16 at this time.”
User-generated employment FAQ sites (such as Indeed) show a variety of reported minimums: some employees say they started at 14 or 15, others say the listing required 16 or older.

Because of this variation, it is useful for applicants and content producers to view the age requirement as a range, with approximate brackets like: 14–15 (rare, limited hours) → 16 (more common) → 18+ (adult roles & full schedule). Reporters note that most stores lean toward 16 or older. For example, an article listing “companies that hire 14- and 15-year-olds” notes: “Chick-fil-A… minimum age tends to be 16, but there are definitely some locations that will allow you to work as young as 14 with a work permit.”

So when you write for your audience, you can set expectations accordingly: “It depends on your state and store – some hire at 14 or 15 with a permit, but many require 16 or older.”

Why Age Requirements Differ

Several major factors explain why different Chick-fil-A locations set different age minimums:

State & local labour laws: Minor employment is tightly regulated in each state (and sometimes county/city). Rules cover the youngest age a person can work, the maximum hours per day or week for minors, permissible types of duties (e.g., no hazardous equipment for under-16s). As such, in states with stricter rules for workers under 16, franchisees may simply set 16 as the minimum. For example, one labour-law overview mentions that 14- and 15-year-olds are limited in hours per week when school is in session and cannot perform “hazardous occupations”.
Franchise operator discretion: Even when state laws allow younger teens, the individual franchise owner may choose to hire only older teens (or adults) due to business needs, insurance, scheduling, safety, or staffing preferences. Corporate site acknowledges that “hiring decisions are made by individual Chick-fil-A franchised Operators.”
Job duties & shift schedules: Some roles involve kitchen equipment, high-volume rush hours, late shifts or higher liability. These factors incline the franchise owner to favour candidates who are 16+ (or 18+). Stores with later closing times or night shifts may exclude younger teens.
Work permit & minor scheduling constraints: In many states, minors under a certain age require an employment permit or certificate, and are subject to stricter hour limits (especially during school weeks). These additional administrative burdens may lead the franchise to limit younger hires.
Availability of roles and business needs: The store might find that younger teens are less flexible (due to school), cannot commit to shifts (especially weekends/late nights), or cannot perform certain tasks. Therefore the practical minimum age becomes older.

Because of these variables, when you apply the “how old do you have to be” question to Chick-fil-A, the best answer is: It depends on the franchise location, state law and role. But you can get more precision by checking with the specific branch.

Jobs Available for Younger Teens (14–15)

At locations that hire 14- or 15-year-olds, the roles are intentionally structured to comply with minor-labour laws and safety restrictions. These restaurants typically limit younger teens to tasks that do not involve hazardous equipment, hot surfaces or late-night hours. Work is designed to be predictable, supervised and low-risk.

Common roles include:

Dining Room Attendant: Wiping tables, resetting the dining area, restocking condiments, helping guests find seating, and keeping the front of the house clean. This is often the most accessible entry-level role for very young teens.
Light Cleaning Tasks: Sweeping, restocking supplies, bussing trays, and other simple tasks that do not involve chemicals or equipment that minors are prohibited from using.
Runner or Expeditor: Supporting the front counter team by delivering packaged meals to tables or handing out orders in the dining room. Because these tasks do not require cooking equipment, they fit minor safety regulations.
Limited Customer Service Support: Greeting customers, assisting with basic questions, and managing simple tasks like refilling drinks—depending on the store’s comfort level and training resources.

Younger teens also face strict hour limits. During the school year, they may only work short shifts in the late afternoon or early evening, and total weekly hours are capped by state law. Weekends usually provide slightly more flexibility, but hours remain tightly regulated.

Jobs Available for Ages 16–17

Once applicants reach 16, they are eligible for a much wider range of positions and responsibilities. Most Chick-fil-A locations make 16 the baseline hiring age because workers at this level can legally take on more work hours, handle more customer-facing tasks, and participate in busier shifts.

Common roles include:

Front Counter Service: Taking orders, processing payments, serving customers, handling mobile orders and offering hospitality—the brand’s core value.
Drive-Thru Support: Managing headsets, assembling drive-thru bags, running food to cars, organizing drink orders and assisting during peak rush periods.
Kitchen Prep (Non-Restricted Tasks): Preparing produce, assembling sandwiches and salads, stocking prep stations and following food-safety routines that do not involve prohibited equipment.
Basic Food Assembly: Building menu items, packaging food and handling back-of-house workflow as long as the tasks do not require minors to operate restricted machinery.
Flexible Shift Coverage: Many 16- and 17-year-olds can work opening, mid-day or early closing shifts depending on state labour rules, allowing them to contribute more weekly hours than younger teens.

Workers in this age bracket also gain exposure to more complex teamwork and may be considered for early leadership or trainer roles if they demonstrate reliability and strong communication.

Jobs Available for Adults (18+)

For adults, Chick-fil-A opens the full spectrum of team-member and leadership opportunities. At 18 and older, workers are not subject to minor labour restrictions, which gives them full access to equipment, late-night shifts, and a broader range of responsibilities. Adults tend to be the foundation of a restaurant’s long-term staffing strategy.

Roles commonly available to adults include:

Full Team Member (Front or Back of House): Handling all service or kitchen stations, including those involving heat, fryers or specialized equipment that minors cannot use.
Shift Leader or Shift Manager: Overseeing store operations during assigned shifts, delegating tasks, managing team performance, and ensuring food-safety compliance.
Trainer or Onboarding Specialist: Coaching new hires, maintaining training standards, and helping younger team members succeed in their roles.
Full-Time Positions with Benefits: Depending on the franchise, adults may access full-time employment with benefits such as health insurance, paid time off or tuition assistance.

Adults also enjoy complete scheduling freedom—open availability, late closes, and long shifts—which makes them especially valuable to franchise operators.

How to Apply to Chick-fil-A

The application process is straightforward, but taking a few extra steps can help applicants stand out, especially in competitive markets.

Visit the local restaurant’s website or hiring portal to confirm the minimum age and available roles. Many stores use independent career pages.
Submit an online application or fill out an in-person form. Some locations accept walk-in applicants during slow hours.
Prepare a simple resume, even if you are a teen with no experience. List school activities, volunteer work, leadership roles and your weekly availability.
Attend the interview with a focus on communication, friendliness and professionalism—Chick-fil-A places heavy emphasis on hospitality and teamwork.
Bring required documents if you are under 16, such as a work permit or proof of school enrollment (varies by state).
Respond promptly to interview requests—many franchises move quickly when staffing needs are urgent.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Being Hired

Chick-fil-A receives many applications, especially from teens seeking their first job. These strategies help applicants stand out:

Offer wide availability. Stores prioritize candidates who can work after school, weekends and holidays.
Show strong customer service skills. A positive attitude and clear communication often matter more than experience.
Highlight extracurriculars or volunteer work that demonstrate responsibility, teamwork or leadership.
Dress neatly and arrive early for the interview to mirror the company’s professional, service-oriented brand.
Follow up with a polite thank-you message. Managers value professionalism, and a follow-up note signals reliability.

Pay, Hours, and Scheduling

Starting pay varies by location but often matches or slightly exceeds local minimum wage. Teens may receive fewer weekly hours due to legal restrictions, while adults can take on full-time roles.

Chick-fil-A remains closed on Sundays, which makes scheduling more predictable for students and parents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you work at Chick-fil-A at 15?
Yes—some locations hire 15-year-olds with permits, but many only start at 16. Confirm with your local franchise.

Can 14-year-olds work at Chick-fil-A?
A limited number of stores hire 14-year-olds, but this is uncommon and restricted to light-duty roles. Check with the operator.

Do you need experience?
Most positions are entry-level. The restaurant provides training.

How many hours can minors work?
Hours depend on your state’s labour laws. Many states limit 14- and 15-year-olds to specific hours during the school year.

Conclusion

The minimum age to work at Chick-fil-A varies by franchise, but most locations hire at 16, some hire 15, and a few hire 14 with a work permit. Always check the specific store’s requirements before applying.