How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Applebee's?

Generally speaking, to get an entry-level job at Applebee's as a host/hostess, carside, or dishwasher, you must be at least 16 years old.

Because Applebee’s restaurants are privately-owned franchises, the minimum age requirements do vary between restaurants. Most locations have a minimum age requirement of 16, but others do not hire workers until they are 18. 

Teen Jobs at Applebee's and Age Requirements

Host/Hostess  (Hourly)

As a host/hostess at Applebee's, your job is to greet guests when they arrive and depart, seat all guests in a friendly manner, and maintain the overall guest flow of the restaurant. Specific job functions and duties include:

• Opening the door for guests arriving and departing
• Accommodating any special needs of guests, i.e.: boosters, highchairs, disabilities
• Managing the Wait List when the restaurant is full
• Providing guest assistance to servers as needed
• Maintaining a clean and organized work area and completes cleaning as assigned
• Filling out the feature board and inflating balloons

To work as a host/hostess at Applebee's, you must be at least 16 years old.

Dishwasher (Hourly)

The dishwashers at Applebee's are responsible for maintaining kitchen work areas, equipment, plate ware and utensils in a clean, sanitary, and orderly condition while assisting in food preparation procedures. 

Duties of this position will include setting up, using, and maintaining the mechanical dishwasher for the duration of the shift, keeping the food line stocked with clean plates, and multiple cleaning and sanitation tasks at the end of the shift, including work area and restrooms. A qualified applicant must be able to lift 25-50 pounds, stand for long periods of time, and move from place to place in the kitchen when necessary. 

To work as a dishwasher at Applebee's, you must be at least 16 years old.

Carside  (Hourly)

Working carside at Applebee's means you will be the guests’ first over-the-phone and last impression as you deliver their order with a smile, carside. You will need to be friendly, make recommendations, and anticipate the needs of the guest. You will work hard, but have a great time doing it!

To work carside at Applebee's, you must be at least 16 years old.

Can a 15 Year Old Work at Applebee's?

15-year-olds can’t work at Applebee's because the minimum age is 16. We do have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-olds that you can view for other options.

Can a 16 Year Old Work at Applebee's? 

Yes. 16-year-olds can work at most Applebee's locations. However, because the restaurants are independently-owned franchises, some won’t hire workers until they are 18. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-olds that you can also view for more options.

How Much Does Applebee's Pay Part-Time Workers?

The hourly earnings for employees at Applebee's vary because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.

Host/Hostess(Hourly)

As a host/hostess at Applebee's, you will be making somewhere between minimum wage and $10 per hour. If this is your first job, then you will most likely start at minimum wage. 

The average hourly rate for an Applebee's host/hostess is $8.

Dishwasher (Hourly)

The rate of pay for dishwashers is usually between minimum wage and $13 an hour. If this is your first job, chances are you will start out close to minimum wage.

The average hourly rate for an Applebee's dishwasher is $10. 

Carside (Hourly)

The rate of pay for Carside employees at Applebee’s is between minimum wage and $10 an hour. Sometimes you can receive tips at this job, but it’s not expected, so you don’t have a reduced server’s wage. 

The hourly rate for an Applebee's carside employee is $9. 

How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at Applebee's?

Applebee's is a restaurant that welcomes entry-level workers to apply for all non-management positions. Teenagers usually get hired for the host/hostess, dishwasher, and carside positions. 

What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at Applebee's?

Applebee's is a popular restaurant chain, so when you show up for your interview, you will want to look nice and be dressed in business casual attire. There is no need to over-dress.  Consider something like a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks or jeans and dress shoes. 

Applebee's Interview Questions

The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. But, there are some common questions that they often ask. Here are some examples.

Why do you want to work here?

Why are they asking?  

There are a lot of restaurants to choose from when you are looking for a job, and they want to know why you are interested in joining the Applebee’s team. What makes them stand out? If this is your first job, you will likely get this question right off the bat.

What’s the ideal answer?

There is no wrong answer to this question. Whatever your reason is for applying at Applebee's, tell them! Maybe you have a friend that works there or you are the restaurant is close to home. Whatever your reason is for applying at Applebee's, just be specific and honest with your answer.

Can you work nights and weekends?

Why are they asking?  

Applebee's is open seven days a week, and on weekends, they are open until at least 11 p.m., with the closing duties usually taking at least a half-hour. The part-time teenage workers usually work the night and weekend shifts, so if they ask you this question, they want to make sure that you can work those hours because that’s where you will fit in their schedule.

What’s the ideal answer?

The interviewer wants to hear that you have no problem working nights and weekends. And, as a teenage worker, this schedule works well around school. Be honest with your answer. If you have other obligations that will prevent you from covering those hours, you have to let them know up front. If you can’t work until close, make that clear. 

Can you work well as part of a team?

Why are they asking?  

If they ask you this, they are trying to find out how comfortable you are working in a team environment. There are no jobs in the restaurant that require you to work all by yourself, so they want to make sure you work well with others.

What’s the ideal answer?

Honesty is the best policy. Let them know how good you are with people and be prepared to give examples if you have previous job experience. If Applebee's would be your first job, then give examples of working with people in team sports or school activities. 

Benefits of Working at Applebee's 

Everyone who works at Applebee's gets meal discounts while working.  However, the benefits they offer are for full-time workers only.

Benefits include:

• Paid time off and paid sick days
• Performance Bonuses
• Vacation 
• 401K savings plan and Pension Plan
• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Flexible schedules

What it’s Like to Work at Applebee's