How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Popeyes?

To get an entry-level job at Popeyes as a team member, you must be at least 16 years old. If you are interested in being an hourly shift coordinator,  you must be at least 18. 

Some Popeyes locations are corporate-owned and others are franchises. So, some of the hiring rules and requirements may vary by location.

Serving fellow co-workers, customers, and the community is the foundation of everything at Popeyesㄧyou find it in their Purpose, the Principals they live by and the roadmap that guides their business decisions. Popeyes believes their culture of servant leadership sets them apart. It reminds everyone that “how” they work is just as important as achieving company goals.

Teen Jobs at Popeyes and Age Requirements

Team Member  (Hourly)

As a team member at Popeyes, you are an important ingredient to the success of the business. The team members are responsible for delivering the 'Customer Promise' by providing outstanding customer service to  guests. 

Popeyes Team Members are responsible for providing exceptional guest service and support, while working closely with the Restaurant Managers and other Team Members to maintain operational standards and procedures. 

Team Member Responsibilities Include: 

• Greet guests with a smile, receive orders, and process payments. 
• Operate cash register or point of sale devices, as needed. 
• Use value-added suggestive-selling techniques to generate additional sales opportunities. 
• Respond to guests' needs in a professional and polite manner. 
• Verify the accuracy of guests' orders. 
• Prepare and packages food and drink products. 
• Clean kitchen area, counters, food preparation areas, and utensils. 
• Clean dining room, restrooms, and exterior grounds. 
• Maintain health and safety standards in work areas. 
• Unload and stock inventory items as needed. 
• Performs duties at multiple workstations. 
• Work to resolve issues that may arise in the restaurant. 
• Learn team effectiveness skills; works with others to achieve team goals.

You must have excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to provide exceptional customer service. You must be at least 16 years old to work as a team member at Popeyes. 

Shift Coordinator (Hourly)

As a shift coordinator at Popeyes, you are in a leadership position with numerous responsibilities. They include: 

• Responsible for restaurant operations during assigned shifts, including opening & closing restaurant
• Responsible for Bank Deposits on working shifts
• Provides production direction to team members in a clear and concise way
• Sets an example for team members by working hard to implement shift plan and ensure swift and smooth production
• Delegates in a way that encourages team to work together during shift to ensure the restaurant operates to company standards
• Demonstrates patience and a positive attitude with team
• Motivates team members to exceed customer expectations with food and friendly service in clean surroundings
• Works with team to act on customer feedback and resolve customer complaints in a timely, friendly, and professional manner
• Directs, trains, and motivates team members during shift on each of the workstations
• Adheres to compliance of government and health department regulations
• Adheres to operations, policies and procedures relating to all activities in the restaurant during the shift
• Takes initiative to immediately report violations of safety, sanitation or security policies to restaurant management and perform short-term solutions
• Motivates team members to comply with loss control procedures and to maintain a safe and secure environment for customers and other team members
• Completes checklists and procedures for cash reporting, inventory control, and scheduling during shift

To work as a shift coordinator at Popeyes, you must be at least 18 years old and they prefer that you have a high school diploma or GED.

Can a 15 Year Old Work at Popeyes?

No, 15-year-olds can work at Popeyes 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 Popeyes? 

Yes. 16-year-olds can work at any Popeyes location. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-olds that you can also view for more options.

How Much Does Popeyes Pay Part-Time Workers?

The hourly earnings for employees at Popeyes 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.

Team Member (Hourly)

As a crew member at Popeyes, you will be making somewhere between minimum wage and $13 per hour. If this is your first job, then you will most likely start at minimum wage. 

The average hourly rate for a Popeyes team member is $9.

Shift Coordinator (Hourly)

The rate of pay for shift coordinators is between $9 and $15 an hour. You will most likely start at the lower end of the range.

The average hourly rate for a Popeyes shift coordinator is $10. 

How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at Popeyes?

Popeyes is an entry-level friendly company that is known for being a great first job. So, you can apply for a position without any experience and get hired as a team member. However, if you do have some work experience, it could get you a higher hourly pay rate and move you faster into supervisory and management positions.

What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at Popeyes?

Popeyes is a popular fast food chicken chain, so when you show up for your interview you will want to be dressed in casual or business casual attire.  Consider something like a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks or jeans and dress shoes. 

Popeyes 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 do often ask. At a Popeyes interview for a team member position, they are usually extremely quick. They know you probably don’t have a lot of work experience, so their questions usually focus on your skills and availability.

Can you work in a fast-paced environment?

Why are they asking?  

Popeyes restaurants are very busy.  While they usually have “rush hours” during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, many Popeyes locations can be busy 24/7. They are asking you this question to find out if you can handle that kind of work environment.

What’s the ideal answer?

The interviewer wants to hear that you can work well in a fast-paced environment, and would rather be busy instead of standing around. 

Why do you want to work in fast food?

Why are they asking?  

Let’s be honest, there are some parts of an entry-level job at a fast food restaurant that are not fun or glamorous, and they want to make sure you are ok with that. One of the worst parts is usually having to clean the bathrooms, and it will probably get nasty from time to time. They are asking you this question to find out if you understand what the job entails and that you are okay with some of the less-than-great parts of the job. 

What’s the ideal answer?

The ideal answer to this question is that you want to work in fast food so you can get some work experience and improve your job skills. You also want to earn your own money, and you don’t mind contributing to the team and doing some parts of the job that aren’t very fun. 

What job skills do you have?

Why are they asking?  

If a manager asks you this question, they are trying to get you to sell yourself. Part of your job as a team member is upselling to Popeyes customers. They are wanting to find out how well you can communicate, while being positive and professional.

You may not have any previous work experience, but you can still have skills like communication, time-management, money-handling, etc...

What’s the ideal answer?

Know your strengths. If you get asked this question, tell them how you will benefit their business. They want to hear that you have good verbal communication skills, have a friendly and upbeat demeanor, and can give good customer service. 

Tell them that you are a reliable worker who will show up to work on time for every scheduled shift. And, if you are interested in a long-term career with the company, definitely let them know. 

Benefits of Working at Popeyes 

Everyone who works at Popeyes gets discounts on food purchases.  The following benefits are available for team members.

Benefits include:

• Performance-based pay
• Anniversary payouts
• Service awards
• Store bonus for achieving quarterly and yearly goals
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Employee credit union
• Education assistance
• 401(k) with company match

What it’s Like to Work at Popeyes