what age does chicken express hire

What Age Does Chicken Express Hire? A Guide to Working at Chicken Express as a Teenager

Finding your first job as a teenager can be an exciting yet daunting experience. You want to start earning your own money and gaining valuable work skills but many restaurants won’t hire staff under 16 years old. Fortunately Chicken Express is one fast food chain that offers employment opportunities for younger teens.

Chicken Express is a popular Texas-based fast food restaurant specializing in fried chicken, tenders, sides, and sweet tea. With over 200 locations across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, Chicken Express offers part-time and full-time positions that allow 14 and 15-year-olds to gain their first job experience.

We’ll talk about everything you need to know about working at Chicken Express as a teen here, such as:

• Minimum hiring age at Chicken Express
• Job positions available to 14 and 15-year-olds
• Work permit requirements
• Hourly wages and employee benefits
• Pros and cons of working at Chicken Express
• Skills and duties for each role
• How to apply for jobs at Chicken Express

Let’s get started!

Minimum Hiring Age at Chicken Express

Chicken Express only hires people who are at least 14 years old. State laws can be different, but most Chicken Express locations will hire teens as young as 14.

Chicken Express actively promotes their youth hiring program because they know how important it is to give local students a chance to make extra money and learn useful skills. There are part-time jobs available on the weekends and after school.

Jobs Available to 14 and 15-Year-Olds

Chicken Express offers a variety of front-of-house positions ideal for eager 14 and 15-year-old workers, including:

• Cashier
• Drive-thru Order Taker
• Dining Room Attendant
• Host

Each of these roles involves serving customers, handling food orders, and keeping the restaurant clean and running smoothly. It’s a great way for young teens to gain experience providing friendly customer service, following instructions, and working as part of a team.

For teens ages 16 and up, food prep and cooking jobs are off limits. But 14- and 15-year-olds can find plenty of other ways to work at Chicken Express and start making money after school and on the weekends.

Work Permit Requirements

Teens aged 14 and 15 are required to obtain a work permit before starting employment at Chicken Express. Work permit requirements vary by state, but generally involve:

• Minimum age of 14
• Parent/guardian consent
• Proof of age (birth certificate)
• Social Security number
• Acceptable academic standing

Work permits are usually available through the school counselor’s office or local state labor department office. The work permit confirms that a teenager has permission to work and sets limitations on hours.

Chicken Express will initiate the work permit application process and have new hires complete all necessary paperwork. Securing a valid work permit is mandatory before officially getting hired.

Hourly Wages and Benefits

Chicken Express hourly wages for entry-level team members typically start around minimum wage or slightly above. Cashiers and drive-thru order takers may earn $8-$12 per hour, depending on location.

Benefits include flexible scheduling, free or discounted meals during shifts, 50% employee discounts, and performance-based pay raises for strong work ethic and job tenure.

While the base hourly wage may seem low compared to adult rates, it can be a great starting income for teenagers with limited expenses. Between 10-15 hours per week, an average 14 or 15-year-old Chicken Express employee can expect to earn $80-$200 in weekly take-home pay.

Pros of Working at Chicken Express as a Teen

There are many advantages to working at Chicken Express part-time as a 14 or 15-year-old:

• Gain first job experience: From job interview to training to working with customers, Chicken Express provides the full scope of an introductory work experience. Teens learn practical skills that apply to any future job.

• Earn your own money: Chicken Express wages, plus any tips collected, enable young teens to start earning their own spending money without relying on parents.

• Set work schedule around school: Chicken Express locations only hire teens to work part-time hours after school and weekends. Schedule flexibility allows employees to focus on academics.

• Free food perks: Employees can eat free or discounted meals during their shifts at Chicken Express. Free food is an appealing perk for hungry, growing teens.

• Build confidence and responsibility: Handling job duties, managing a schedule, serving customers, and earning wages fosters maturity, accountability, and self-assurance in young workers.

Cons of Working at Chicken Express as a Teen

Working at a fast food restaurant also comes with some downsides:

• Low wages: Chicken Express entry-level jobs only pay minimum wage, without tips, limiting earning potential. Pay raises come slowly.

• Physically demanding: Work involves standing for long periods, repetitive tasks, lifting, cleaning, and operating cash registers. It can be tiring with a small frame.

• Less flexibility than older staff: Managers may limit total weekly hours and refuse schedule change requests more often for younger teens.

• Limited growth opportunities: Young workers remain in frontline roles with little chance for promotion or pay increases for 1-2 years until age 16+.

Overall, the pros tend to outweigh the cons for most young teens seeking their first job experience with a flexible schedule, extra spending money, and transferable skills. But the work isn’t easy, and earning potential is low.

Key Skills and Duties for Each Role

Here’s a quick overview of the main skills and duties involved with three common Chicken Express job positions for 14 and 15-year-old employees:

Cashier:

• Greet customers with a smile in person and at drive-thru
• Take food and beverage orders accurately
• Operate cash register to total order costs and process payments
• Prepare drink orders and bundle food items
• Provide order receipts and any requested sauces/utensils
• Maintain organized, clean checkout area

Drive-Thru Order Taker:

• Greet drive-thru customers via speaker system
• Input customer orders accurately into point-of-sale system
• Repeat order details and total costs to customers
• Take payments and provide receipts to drivers at window
• Work cooperatively with kitchen staff to fill orders promptly
• Keep drive-thru area tidy and well-stocked

Dining Room Attendant:

• Clean and sanitize tables, chairs, highchairs after customers leave
• Promptly remove used trays, trash, and food debris
• Monitor and refill condiments, utensils, napkins, straws
• Sweep, mop, and vacuum dining room floor
• Empty garbage cans before overflow
• Ensure bathrooms are cleaned and properly stocked

How to Apply for Jobs at Chicken Express

If you meet the minimum hiring age of 14, here are the steps to apply for jobs at Chicken Express:

1. Visit the Chicken Express careers website and click “Apply Now” on a specific location’s page. This brings up their online application portal.

2. Create an account with your email address, name, and basic contact info.

3. Answer questions about your age, availability, job interests, prior experience, and related qualifications.

4. Submit your full application with any supplemental info required.

5. Wait 1-2 weeks for a manager to review submissions and schedule interviews with promising candidates.

6. Attend a quick in-person interview to highlight your enthusiasm, reliability, and customer service skills.

7. If offered a position, complete new hire paperwork and submit a work permit application through your school.

8. Once your work permit is issued, you can officially get added to the Chicken Express team member schedule for training!

Start Your Job Search Today

With a youth-friendly hiring age of just 14 years old, Chicken Express is an ideal first employer for teens who are motivated to join the workforce. There’s no need to wait until you’re 16 to land an after-school job as a cashier, drive-thru order taker, or dining room attendant.

As one of the top fast food chains for hiring 14 and 15-year-olds across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, Chicken Express offers the opportunity to gain customer service skills, earn your own money, and gain confidence through valuable job experience.