Have you ever considered how old you have to be to work at Dairy Queen? Dairy Queen is an American brand and chain of soft serve, fast food restaurants. It’s also a store that sells, frozen yogurt, ice cream and other refreshing delights. Dairy Queen is most well-known for its signature product, The Blizzard. Warm weather brings thoughts of going to Dairy Queen for ice cream or frozen yogurt.
As an independent teen, you may want to apply for a job at Dairy Queen. But do you know how old you have to be to work at Dairy Queen? The answer varies from state to state. Generally, the minimum legal age for employment in the US is 16 years old. However, each state has its laws about when someone can start working.
The Dairy Queen Age Debate
Dairy Queen is one of the most well-known brands in the world. But, not everyone may know that Dairy Queen has minimum age requirements. The legal working age varies from state to state, but in general, the minimum age for work in the U.S. is 16 years old. In some states, like California and New York, it’s even higher at 14 or 15 years old, respectively.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Dairy Queen?
In the United States, there is a minimum legal age for work. For example, in California, the minimum age is 14 years old, and in New York, it’s 15-years-old. The minimum legal age for work in your state can vary depending on what type of work you plan to do.
For example, if you plan to work at an amusement park, you might have to be 18 years old. This is because amusement parks often hire people who will be around kids to supervise and make sure everyone is safe. However, if you want to scoop ice cream at Dairy Queen and all you will be doing is scooping ice cream, then the minimum age might be 16 years old.
Job Opportunities At Dairy Queen
There are a lot of entry-level jobs at DQ that are easy to perform, and even people who haven’t worked in the past can do them. This organization also hires full-time and part-time employees who become store managers or general managers, with many opportunities for longevity in their careers.
Team Member – Front Counter
Front counter team members are tasked with greeting customers as the arrive and helping them with any queries regarding the menu. You could be stationed in the restaurant or at a window at the drive-thru. And you’ll process payments at the register, manage a cash drawer, deliver excellent service, and work in a team environment.
As a front counter team member, you be required to work in a fast-paced environment and think on your feet. You’ll also need the physical stamina to stand for extended periods and lift heavy items occasionally. You must be 16 or older to apply as a front counter team member at Dairy Queen.
Team Member – Kitchen
Dairy Queen is looking for people to work on their kitchen team. This means you need to prepare food to maintain equipment, including the grill, fryer, and freezer. You’ll also be tasked with keeping certain kitchen item stock on hand and prepping the grill area quickly and accurately.
You must stand throughout your shift and handle all kinds of natural products, such as frozen or cooked food. To apply, you will have to be at least 16 years old.
Crew Member
A crew member at Dairy Queen is someone who works the front lines (i.e., taking orders, preparing food, clearing tables). Crew members are responsible for customer service during their shifts.
Cashier
The position of “cashier” at Dairy Queen does not have a set definition across the country. However, it generally consists of working the register and accepting payments for customers that come into the store. As cashiers are often the first face that customers see when they walk in, it’s essential to be friendly and welcoming to our guests.
Manager
An ice cream store can’t operate without managers. A manager at Dairy Queen will ensure that everything is running smoothly, from when the store opens until it closes. Managers are responsible for ensuring all the employees are working at their best and handling any customer complaints or problems that may arise.
They might also manage the daily ordering, inventory, and payroll. The manager position has a lot of responsibility. Still, it does come with higher pay than other positions like ice cream scoopers or drive-thru attendants.
Do You Need Experience to Get a Job at Dairy Queen?
Dairy Queen a company that encourages young and motivated individuals with no previous experience to enter the workforce. There are, therefore, plenty of entry-level positions available at Dairy Queen.
That said, perhaps you have some work experience and would like to apply. In that case, you may be eligible for a higher hourly pay rate and have the opportunity progress into a supervisory or management position sooner.
The Perks Of Working At Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen offers all employees a deduction on the cost of meals at their establishments. Still, other benefits are limited to full-time employees only. Each restaurant is run and owned independently, so the benefits package might vary. Benefits include paid time off and sick days, performance bonuses, vacation time for family leave.
How To Apply At Dairy Queen?
There are a few ways you can apply to Dairy Queen, but the easiest way is by going into the location where you would like to work and applying in person. There are no official job listings on their website.
Conclusion
The minimum legal age for work in the United States is 16 years old. Dairy Queen has a different policy for those under 18 and looking for employment.
Crew members can be people who are 14 years old and up, while cashiers must be 16 years old and up. Managers require that you are 18 years old or older. This is just one of the many rules at Dairy Queen that may come as a surprise.
