Fast Food Workers

Employers

There are approximately 682,200 fast food cooks and more than 3.7 million fast food and counter workers in the United States. Fast food workers may work for large chain restaurants or privately owned shops.

Starting Out

At some fast food restaurants, more than 50 percent of the positions are for part-time employees. These restaurants rely heavily on their part-timers and are accustomed to planning their work schedules accordingly. Applying for jobs at restaurants that hire part-time or student help is a good way to enter this field. Even at smaller, privately owned establishments, the fast food worker will be introduced to some of the common factors of the industry: working with and for a variety of people, keeping up a quick pace, and cooking, packaging, and serving food in a friendly way.

Local newspapers often advertise for help in neighborhood restaurants, and some fast food establishments contact school career guidance departments to post job openings. However, the majority of positions are available to those who walk in and fill out an application. Since entry-level positions open up and are filled quickly, applicants are advised to contact restaurants regularly if no openings are immediately available.