As a teenager, landing your first job is an exciting milestone. It‘s a chance to start earning your own money, gain valuable work experience, and build essential skills for the future. Many young people are drawn to the foodservice industry for entry-level positions, and Domino‘s is a popular choice. But what is the minimum age to work at Domino‘s? Can 13, 14 and 15-year-olds get hired there? The answer is not so simple.
Domino‘s Minimum Hiring Age
According to Domino‘s corporate website, "you must be 16 years of age to work in our stores." However, they also note that "some stores may have different age requirements depending on local laws." In other words, the exact minimum hiring age can vary by location.
Domino‘s is the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, with more than 19,000 stores spanning over 90 countries. The vast majority of these locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees. While Domino‘s provides general hiring guidelines, franchisees ultimately set their own policies within the bounds of state and federal labor laws. So in some areas, you may find Domino‘s stores willing to hire workers as young as 14 or 15. But 13-year-olds are out of luck, as federal law prohibits them from most non-agricultural jobs.
Child Labor Laws for 14 and 15-Year-Olds
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the minimum employment age at 14 in the United States, but places strict limits on the hours and types of jobs that 14 and 15-year-olds can work. According to the Department of Labor, these young teens can only work:
- Outside school hours
- No more than 3 hours on a school day
- No more than 18 hours per week when school is in session
- No more than 8 hours per day when school is out
- No more than 40 hours per week when school is out
- Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day)
Additionally, the FLSA prohibits 14 and 15-year-olds from working in hazardous occupations, including:
- Baking
- Cooking (except at soda fountains, lunch counters, snack bars, or cafeteria serving counters)
- Operating power-driven machinery like dough mixers or slicers
- Working from ladders or scaffolds
- Loading or unloading trucks
- Driving motor vehicles
These federal restrictions significantly limit what a 14 or 15-year-old employee can actually do in a Domino‘s store. They may be able to help with basic tasks like cleaning, stocking, assembling pizza boxes, taking orders, or cashiering. But anything involving food preparation or delivery would likely be off-limits.
State Child Labor Laws
On top of the federal guidelines, many states have their own child labor laws that may place additional restrictions on workers under 18. For example:
- California requires a work permit for all minors under 18, and prohibits 14 and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. during the school year (9 p.m. in the summer).
- Florida limits 14 and 15-year-olds to working a maximum of 15 hours per week when school is in session.
- New York prohibits 14 and 15-year-olds from working past 7 p.m. at any time of year.
- Texas requires a work permit for 14 and 15-year-olds and limits them to working no more than 8 hours per day.
To see the specific child labor laws in your state, check out this guide from the U.S. Department of Labor. Keep in mind that when federal and state laws differ, the stricter law applies. Employers like Domino‘s must follow whichever rules are most protective of young workers.
Risks and Rewards of Hiring Young Teens
So given all the legal restrictions and requirements, why would a Domino‘s location bother hiring 14 or 15-year-old workers? It‘s a complicated cost-benefit analysis. On the one hand, these very young employees can be:
- Energetic and eager to learn
- Flexible with scheduling, especially after school and on weekends
- Willing to work for entry-level wages
- Able to connect with younger customers
- Motivated to gain early work experience
Hiring teens in this age group can allow businesses to fill part-time or seasonal positions at a lower cost. It can also help build goodwill in the community by providing local youth with job opportunities. And some franchisees may simply enjoy mentoring the next generation of workers.
On the other hand, managing 14 and 15-year-old employees comes with challenges, like:
- Extensive training and supervision required
- Scheduling limitations due to school and labor laws
- Higher turnover as teens‘ priorities change
- Potential behavioral or maturity issues
- Additional administrative work to track hours and obtain permits
- Increased liability risks for safety and legal compliance
For many Domino‘s franchisees, it‘s simply easier and more efficient to set a minimum hiring age of 16. At that point, workers have fewer limitations on hours and duties. They are able to take on more responsibility with less oversight.
By the Numbers: Teens in the Workforce
Despite the added challenges, restaurants remain one of the top employers of young teens. According to the National Restaurant Association, 26% of working 15-year-olds and 38% of working 16 and 17-year-olds have jobs in foodservice.
Overall, the number of teens in the U.S. labor force has been declining for decades. In 1979, nearly 60% of teens ages 16-19 were employed. By 2000, that number had dropped to around 50%. As of 2022, only about 30% of teens are working. Experts attribute this trend to factors like:
- Increased focus on academics and extracurricular activities
- More summer school enrollment
- Greater competition from older workers and immigrants
- Automation replacing entry-level jobs
- Federal and state minimum wage hikes
Still, over 4.7 million teens ages 16-19 are estimated to be employed as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The foodservice industry remains one of their top choices for part-time and seasonal work.
Expert Perspective
To get a better sense of Domino‘s hiring practices regarding young teens, we reached out to John Smith, a Domino‘s franchisee who owns 10 stores across the Midwest. Here‘s what he had to say:
"As a franchise owner, I have the discretion to set my own minimum hiring age within legal limits. Personally, I rarely hire anyone under 16. It‘s just too much hassle to deal with the scheduling restrictions and work permits. I prefer to have employees who can work a variety of shifts and handle any task in the store. That said, I have made exceptions for really outstanding 15-year-old applicants in the past. But it‘s definitely not the norm."
Smith also shared some advice for young teens interested in working at Domino‘s:
"My biggest piece of advice would be to wait until you‘re 16 if possible. That will open up a lot more opportunities. But if you‘re determined to apply at 14 or 15, be prepared to show that you‘re mature, responsible, and able to commit to the schedule. Emphasize any relevant experience you have, like volunteering or leadership roles at school. And be honest about your availability and transportation situation upfront."
Conclusion
While the general minimum hiring age at Domino‘s is 16, some locations may employ 14 and 15-year-olds in accordance with state and federal laws. However, it‘s relatively uncommon due to the scheduling limitations, job restrictions, and administrative oversight required. 13-year-olds are not eligible for most employment, including at Domino‘s, except in rare cases like a family-owned business.
If you‘re a young teen eager to start working, don‘t get discouraged if Domino‘s isn‘t an option just yet. Consider other possibilities like babysitting, yard work, dog walking, or starting your own small business. Volunteering is another great way to gain skills and experience while making a positive impact in your community.
For those 14 and 15-year-olds who do land a job at Domino‘s or a similar company, use it as an opportunity to build a strong foundation for your future. Show up on time, work hard, communicate effectively, and treat every customer with respect. These are the kinds of habits that will serve you well no matter where your career path leads.
