How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at QDOBA?

Working at QDOBA is about more than just food. It’s about working together with good people to accomplish something great. They bring this company culture to life by supporting local communities, protecting the world’s resources, and hiring flavorful people who personify QDOBA's three cultural pillars of hospitality, positivity, and performance. 

The company began in 1995, and since then QDOBA has grown to more than 740 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. Even though their footprint has grown tremendously in the past 20 years, they've always stayed true to their brand promise: Bringing Flavor to People’s Lives. 

QDOBA believes the flavor of their people is the most important ingredient to company success. They are an optimistic and entrepreneurial collective that celebrates positivity, creativity, and innovation. At the company's core, they are a glass half-full, can-do bunch, united as one to make a great brand. In the end, their secret ingredient is you.

To get a job at QDOBA as a team member or cook, you must be at least 16 years old. To work as a QDOBA catering delivery driver, you must be at least 18.

If you like working with a fun team, love QDOBA queso, have a great personality & enjoy interacting with customers, then consider joining the QDOBA family.

Note -- The following information is about positions at both QDOBA Corporate locations and positions at franchised QDOBA locations, for which the specific franchisee is the employer. 

Franchisees are independent business owners who set their own wage and benefit programs, which can vary between franchisees. We will do our best to share the most accurate information we can find, but pay rates and positions available do vary based on location and whether or not the location is owned by corporate or a franchisee.

Teen Jobs at QDOBA and Age Requirements

Team Member (Hourly)

As a QDOBA crew member, your number one job is to serve the guests. You will also maintain the high-quality product by following the company's quality and safety standards.

Job Functions:

• Enthusiastically greet all guests when they enter the restaurant.
• Have fun and maintain a positive attitude at all times.
• Strive to exceed guest expectations.
• Follow recipe and preparation guidelines.
• Monitor the quality of products and take appropriate actions to maintain that quality.
• Be a willing team player and maintain a cooperative, respectful working relationship with management and fellow team members.
• Clean, organize, and restock all stations.
• Clean utensils, equipment, walls and floors.
• Ensure personal appearance meets company standards and display professionalism at all times.
• Recognize and adhere to all sanitation, safety, security policies and procedures

To work as a Team Member at QDOBA, you must be at least 16 years old.

Cook (Hourly)

As a Cook at QDOBA, your job is to prepare food and serve guests. Cooks are also responsible for maintaining the high-quality product by following QDOBA quality and safety standards.

Job Functions:

• Prepares food according to specifications by using approved recipes, proper portioning, and food prep logs/tools
• Restock front line with prepared product during peak volumes and/or in accordance with time & temperature
• Adhere to food safety standards and report any questionable food deliveries and/or practices.
• Have fun and maintain a positive attitude at all times.
• Strive to exceed guest expectations.
• Be a willing team player and maintain a cooperative, respectful working relationship with management and fellow team members.
• Monitor the quality of products and take appropriate actions to maintain that quality.
• Ensure personal appearance meets company standards and display professionalism at all times.
• Recognize and adhere to all sanitation, safety, security policies, and procedures

You must be 16 years old to work as a cook at QDOBA.

Catering Delivery Driver (Hourly)

As a catering delivery driver, you will be the face of QDOBA representing yourself and the company with enthusiasm and great hospitality.

Job Responsibilities:

• Deliver all orders in a safe and timely manner.
• Work as a crew member when not making a delivery 
• Provide friendly guest service and the highest level of hospitality.
• Obtain guests’ signatures on all orders.
• Maintain accurate delivery logs.
• Unload product and arrange food/drinks in an appealing manner.
• Strategically load and deliver orders for maximum efficiency and timeliness.
• Double check accuracy of the order before loading orders for delivery.

To work as a Catering Delivery Driver at QDOBA, you must have a reliable clean vehicle in good repair with current registration and insurance. You must also have a valid driver's license, a good driving history the past 36 months, be able to lift up to 50 pounds, and be at least 18 years of age.

Can a 15 Year Old Work at QDOBA?

Because the minimum age to work at QDOBA is 16, the general rule is that 15-year-olds can’t work in corporate-owned stores. However, in some franchised locations, it's possible they will hire 15-year-olds with a work permit.  We do have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-olds that you can view for more options.

Can a 16 Year Old Work at QDOBA? 

Yes! The minimum age to work at QDOBA is 16, so 16-year-olds can apply for a team member or cook position. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-old’s that you can view for more options.

How Much Does QDOBA Pay Part-Time Workers?

The hourly earnings for employees at QDOBA 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)

The hourly wage range for team members at QDOBA is between $12 and $17. The average hourly pay for this position is $14.69.

Cook (Hourly)

The hourly wage range for cooks at QDOBA is between $12 and $17. The average hourly pay for this position is $15.11.

Catering Delivery Driver (Hourly)

The hourly wage range for delivery drivers at QDOBA is between $12 and $15, plus tips. The average hourly pay (including wages and tips) for this position is $25.70.

How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at QDOBA?

QDOBA is an entry-level friendly company, so you can apply for a position without any experience and get hired as a team member or cook. 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 QDOBA?

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

QDOBA 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 QDOBA interview, you will most likely talk with at least one or two different managers. Here are some questions that they have been known to ask during interviews.

How do you handle stressful situations? Can you work in a fast-paced environment?

Why are they asking?  

QDOBA is a popular fast food restaurant that can have incredibly busy lunch and dinner rushes. There are times when working there can be extremely fast-paced and stressful. They are asking you this question to find out how well you would handle that stress, and make sure you are a good fit for the team.

What’s the ideal answer?

The interviewer wants to hear that you work well under pressure. Tell them how you have handled stressful situations in the past, and that you are able to handle a busy dinner rush. However, you never want to lie. If you can’t handle stressful situations well, working in a restaurant may not be the best fit. If you lie about your ability to handle the work environment, it could lead to big problems.

With all of the different fast food companies out there to choose from, why do you want to work at QDOBA?

Why are they asking?  

Fast food restaurants rely on entry-level teen workers. They make an excellent first job for young people to get work experience, and there are a lot in the market to choose from. If they ask you this question, they want to know what makes QDOBA stand out over other options like McDonalds, Burger King, or Subway.

What’s the ideal answer?

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

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 QDOBA 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 QDOBA 

Everyone who works at QDOBA gets free meals on shift.  However, most of the benefits they offer are only for full-time workers.

Benefits include:

• Flexible work schedule
• Health benefits
• Paid vacation and leave time
• 401(k) plan with QDOBA match
• Employee assistance program (EAP) support and resources
• Competitive pay and field bonus structure
• Rewards and recognition programs
• Tuition reimbursement
• Growth and development opportunities

What it’s Like to Work at QDOBA

How to Apply at QDOBA

If you are interested in working at QDOBA, you can apply directly on the company website, which is the most accurate source for up-to-date hourly job listings, as well as management and corporate positions. The corporate site will also share job listings from the franchises.

You can also walk-in to the specific location you would like to work at and fill out an application in person. Or, check out third-party job sites like Indeed, Monster, Snagajob, and Glassdoor.