How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Dairy Queen?
Most Dairy Queen restaurants hire workers starting at 16, but some locations hire 14- and 15-year-olds for entry-level jobs like taking orders and making Blizzards. Nearly every DQ is run by an independent franchise owner, so each owner sets the minimum age within federal and state child labor laws. The only way to know for sure is to ask the store.
Federal law sets 14 as the youngest age for most restaurant work. It also limits when and how long workers under 16 can be on the clock. Your state may add more rules, such as a work permit.
Can a 14-Year-Old Get a Job at Dairy Queen?
Yes, a 14-year-old can get a job at Dairy Queen, but only at a location whose owner chooses to hire that young. Federal law allows it. Many franchise owners still set their minimum at 16. Some Dairy Queen online applications only offer “16-17” and “18+” as age choices, which tells you those stores start at 16.
Owners have practical reasons for setting the age at 16. Workers under 16 face strict limits on hours and equipment. That makes them harder to schedule for evening and weekend rushes, the busiest times at an ice cream shop.
Your odds at 14 or 15 can be better in these situations:
- Seasonal or summer-heavy stores. Walk-up and seasonal DQ locations often need extra counter help during warm months. Federal rules also let younger teens work later in summer.
- Smaller towns. When fewer older teens are looking for work, owners may be more open to younger applicants.
- Stores that already employ younger teens. If you see 14- or 15-year-olds working the counter, that owner already handles the paperwork and scheduling rules.
Dairy Queen Hiring Age by Age: What the Law Allows
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act, enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor, sets the baseline rules for teen workers at Dairy Queen and other restaurants. States can be stricter, and when state and federal rules differ, the stricter rule applies.
| Age | Can you work at DQ? | Federal hour limits | Equipment limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 and under | No, for regular restaurant jobs | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 14–15 | Only if the store owner hires at this age | No work during school hours; up to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week; up to 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week; only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) | No baking, and only limited cooking. Milkshake blenders, dishwashers and warming microwaves are allowed. |
| 16–17 | Yes, at most locations | No federal hour limits (state limits may apply) | Banned from hazardous equipment such as power-driven meat slicers and bakery mixers |
| 18+ | Yes, including shift lead and management roles | None for age | None for age |
Here is how those limits play out. A 15-year-old in a typical school week could work two 3-hour weekday shifts after school plus a Saturday and Sunday shift and stay under the 18-hour cap. That same teen could not close the store at 10 p.m. in October. A 16-year-old could.
Federal rules also limit what 14- and 15-year-olds can cook. They may use electric or gas grills without an open flame, and deep fryers whose baskets lower and raise automatically. Many DQ owners simply keep younger workers on the front counter, the drive-thru window and the treat station.
Do You Need a Work Permit to Work at Dairy Queen?
Whether you need a work permit to work at Dairy Queen depends on your state, not on DQ. A work permit, also called working papers or an employment certificate, is a state form that confirms a minor is old enough to work and has permission to take the job. It’s usually signed by a parent and issued through your school or the state labor department.
- Pennsylvania. Minors under 18 need a work permit, typically issued through their school district.
- New Jersey. Workers under 18 need working papers, and the state sets its own hour limits for minors.
- New York. Minors need working papers, usually issued through their school. New York also sets its own hour rules for 16- and 17-year-olds during the school year.
- Florida. The state doesn’t require work permits for minors, but Florida does limit hours for teens under 18.
Rules change, so check your state labor department’s website or ask your school’s guidance office before your first shift. Some DQ owners won’t schedule you until the permit is on file.
What Jobs Do Teens Do at Dairy Queen?
Teens at Dairy Queen usually start as crew members, the restaurant’s entry-level role. Stores may call the job team member or crew member. The work typically includes:
- Front counter and register. Taking orders, handling cash and card payments, and greeting customers.
- Treat station. Making cones, sundaes, Blizzard Treats and shakes, which younger teens are allowed to do.
- Drive-thru. Taking orders by headset and handing out food at the window.
- Cleaning. Wiping tables, restocking supplies, taking out trash and washing dishes.
- Kitchen or grill. Cooking burgers, chicken and fries at DQ Grill & Chill locations. This is often assigned to workers 16 and older because of the cooking rules.
Workers 18 and older can move up to shift leader or assistant manager. Pay varies by location and state minimum wage, so ask the store directly.
How to Apply at Dairy Queen
You apply for a Dairy Queen job through the individual restaurant, because the franchise owner does the hiring. Corporate jobs and the brand’s two company-owned restaurants are handled separately through the Dairy Queen careers site.
- Find stores near you. List the DQ locations within the distance you can travel, keeping in mind who will drive you to shifts.
- Ask about the minimum age. Call during a slow time, like mid-afternoon on a weekday, and ask before you fill anything out.
- Apply online or in person. Use the Dairy Queen careers site or the store’s own application, or ask for a paper application at the counter.
- Get your paperwork ready. Have your Social Security number and an ID ready, plus a work permit if your state requires one.
- Follow up. If you haven’t heard back within about a week, call or stop by and ask to speak with the manager.
- Prepare for the interview. Be ready to talk about your school schedule, when you’re free and why you want the job.
Sample phone script:
Hi, my name is [Name]. I’m [age] and interested in working at your Dairy Queen. Do you hire at my age, and if so, how should I apply? I’m available [days and times], and I can get a work permit if needed. Thank you!
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Under 16
- Assuming every DQ has the same rule. One store turning you down at 15 doesn’t mean the next one will.
- Listing availability you can’t legally work. At 14 or 15, saying you’re free until 10 p.m. on school nights signals you don’t know the rules.
- Fudging your age on the form. Your age is checked during hiring paperwork, and lying can get you let go.
- Skipping the work permit. In states that require one, the store can’t legally schedule you without it.
- Applying only in spring. Ice cream shops often staff up before summer, so apply early in the season.
FAQ
– What jobs can I get at 14?
At 14, you can work most non-hazardous jobs, including fast food counters, grocery bagging, retail stocking and office help, under federal hour limits. Babysitting, yard work and newspaper delivery are also open to younger teens. Your state may require a work permit.
– Can you work at McDonald’s at 14?
Yes, some McDonald’s restaurants hire at 14. Like Dairy Queen, most McDonald’s locations are franchises, so each owner sets the age. The same federal hour and equipment limits apply.
– Does Walmart hire at 14?
No, Walmart doesn’t hire 14-year-olds for store jobs. Walmart’s minimum hiring age is generally 16, and some roles require you to be 18. Restaurants and grocery stores are often a better bet at 14.
– Can a 13-year-old work at Dairy Queen?
No, a 13-year-old can’t work a regular job at Dairy Queen. Federal law sets 14 as the minimum age for restaurant work. A 13-year-old can still earn money through babysitting, pet sitting or yard work.
– Does Dairy Queen hire at 15?
Yes, some Dairy Queen locations hire 15-year-olds, but many stores start at 16. A 15-year-old follows the same federal limits as a 14-year-old, including the 7 p.m. cutoff outside summer.