Can You Get a Job at Red Lobster at 15? Here’s What You Need to Know

As a teenager, getting your first job is an exciting milestone. It means more freedom, responsibility, and extra spending money in your pocket. For many teens, popular restaurants like Red Lobster seem like ideal first employers. But does Red Lobster actually hire 15-year-olds? Let’s take a closer look at Red Lobster’s minimum hiring age and what options teens have for employment there.

Red Lobster’s Official Minimum Hiring Age

According to Red Lobster’s official hiring policy, the minimum age to work at Red Lobster restaurants is 16 years old. This applies to all front-of-house hourly positions like hosts, servers, bartenders, and bussers.

For back-of-house kitchen roles like line cooks and dishwashers the minimum hiring age is 18 years old at most locations. This is due to safety considerations and labor laws regarding operating certain kitchen equipment.

So technically, Red Lobster does not hire team members younger than 16 years old. However, there are some exceptions and other opportunities that 15-year-olds can look into if interested in gaining experience with the company

Possible Exceptions to the Minimum Age Rule

While Red Lobster’s standard minimum hiring age is 16 across all restaurants local franchise owners may sometimes make exceptions and hire responsible 15-year-olds.

Factors like prior work experience, maturity level, and scheduling availability can influence hiring decisions. For example, a 15-year-old with good references from previous employer may have a better chance at getting hired than a 16-year-old with no work history.

It’s worth inquiring locally to see if the franchise owner and management at your desired Red Lobster location are open to hiring workers under 16. But there are no guarantees, as policies can vary.

Alternatives for 15-Year-Olds at Red Lobster

If the Red Lobster you apply to won’t hire under 16, there are still some options to gain experience:

• Job shadowing – Contact the restaurant manager to express interest in shadowing roles. Spending a day observing real job duties can be worthwhile.

• Internships – Red Lobster may offer limited internships for high school students to gain hands-on learning. Inquire with your desired location.

• Working events – Occasionally Red Lobster may hire teenagers under 16 to work special events, promotions, and catering events on a short term basis.

• Apply at 16 – Once you turn 16, go ahead and apply even if Red Lobster previously said no at 15. Age requirements may be flexible.

While it will likely require some persistence and luck, under certain circumstances it is possible for a mature and motivated 15-year-old to begin gaining experience at Red Lobster.

Best First Jobs for 15-Year-Olds

If you need to look beyond Red Lobster when seeking your first job at 15, here are some places that commonly hire teens:

• Movie theaters
• Grocery stores
• Fast food restaurants
• Retail stores
• Community pools
• Amusement parks
• Delivery driving (with license)
• Pet sitting/dog walking
• Babysitting

Hospitality, food service, retail, and recreational facilities are usually the most open to hiring teens based on federal and state labor laws. Having flexibility with your schedule is also key as a student.

Tips for Getting Hired at 15

If you want to improve your chances of landing a job at 15, here are some helpful tips:

• Highlight any completed volunteer work or training programs on your application.

• Be open to working evenings, weekends, summers, and holidays when schools are closed.

• Have references like teachers, coaches, or previous employers to vouch for your work ethic.

• Show maturity by dressing neatly, speaking politely, and displaying confidence during interviews.

• Apply diligently at multiple locations instead of just one or two.

• Frame your limited experience in a positive light – you have a clean slate to be trained.

With the right attitude and effort, many teens are able to find paying jobs and gain valuable skills before reaching the typical minimum hiring age.

What Positions Can You Apply For at Red Lobster?

Once you are 16 or older, what types of jobs can you pursue at Red Lobster? Here is an overview of common positions:

Front of House Jobs

• Host/Hostess – Greets guests, manages wait lists and table seating.

• Server – Takes food and drink orders, serves meals, handles payments.

• Busser – Clears tables, resets for new guests, assists servers.

• Bartender – Prepares alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, checks IDs.

• To Go Specialist – Takes call-in and online orders, packages meals, handles pick-up.

Heart of House Jobs

• Line Cook – Cooks menu items like seafood, pasta, and starters.

• Prep Cook – Chops ingredients, breads fish, assembles dishes.

• Dishwasher – Cleans dishes, glassware, and utensils by hand or machine.

• Baker – Prepares baked goods like cheddar bay biscuits.

Management/Corporate

• Manager in Training – Shadows managers to develop leadership skills.

• Assistant Manager – Oversees daily operations, staffing, and service.

• General Manager – Leads the entire restaurant team and business.

• Corporate Careers – Jobs in marketing, IT, HR, communications and more.

What is the Pay at Red Lobster?

Red Lobster offers competitive hourly wages that vary by position, experience level, and local factors. Here are some general pay ranges:

• Servers – $5-$15/hour plus tips

• Hosts – $10-$14/hour

• Line Cooks – $12-$16/hour

• Dishwashers – $9-$14/hour

Those with prior work experience may start at a higher wage. Servers can expect to earn over minimum wage between tips and base pay. Red Lobster servers average $45,000 annually when factoring in busy seasons like holidays.

Higher paying management careers at Red Lobster provide salaries ranging from $35k-$60k based on experience and restaurant sales volume. Bonus opportunities help boost earning potential even more.

Next Steps – Applying to Red Lobster

Ready to turn 15 or 16 and get started on your Red Lobster application? Here’s what you need to know:

• Red Lobster’s online application process takes 15-25 minutes. It’s mobile-friendly and available in English and Spanish.

• You’ll need to provide basic personal information, job history, availability, and pass assessments.

• All applications are stored for 60 days and assessment results are saved for one year.

• You can check your application status easily by logging into your account.

With over 700 Red Lobster restaurants in the US, there are ample opportunities for ambitious, guest-focused teens to gain valued work experience, flexible scheduling, and skills development when starting their very first job!