Hiring ages › Fast food & restaurants

How old do you have to be to work at Papa John's?

You have to be at least 16 to work at Papa John's. Most Papa John's locations are independently owned franchises, and each owner sets their own minimum age. State law can raise the age — pick your state below.

Mixed reports · checked October 2026

Papa John's hiring age policy

Most Papa John's stores are franchised, and each owner sets its own hiring age. The franchise postings we could verify list a minimum age of 16 for in-store team members. We couldn't check Papa John's official careers site (it blocked access) or find a real posting that accepts younger teens.

Minimum age by job

14
15
16
17
18+
16In-store team member
JobAgeNote
In-store team member16+
Delivery driver?needs a valid driver's license; age not verified

How to apply at Papa John's

Apply on Papa John's jobs site or ask at your local store. Under-18s may need a work permit.

See Papa John's jobs →

Papa John's hiring age by state

The youngest age Papa John's could hire you at in each state: the company's minimum or the state's, whichever is higher. “✓ seen” means we found a real Papa John's posting there accepting that age.

From 16
Show the table for all states
StateYoungest ageWork permitHours at 14–15 (school week)
Alabama16+Needed—
Alaska16+Needed—
Arizona16+No—
Arkansas16+No—
California16+Needed—
Colorado16+No—
Connecticut16+Needed—
Delaware16+Needed—
District of Columbia16+Needed—
Florida16+No—
Georgia16+No—
Hawaii16+Needed—
Idaho16+No—
Illinois16+No—
Indiana16+No—
Iowa16+No—
Kansas16+No—
Kentucky16+No—
Louisiana16+Needed—
Maine16+No—
Maryland16+Needed—
Massachusetts16+Needed—
Michigan16+Needed—
Minnesota16+No—
Mississippi16+No—
Missouri16+No—
Montana16+No—
Nebraska16+No—
Nevada16+No—
New Hampshire16+No—
New Jersey16+Needed—
New Mexico16+No—
New York16+Needed—
North Carolina16+Needed—
North Dakota16+No—
Ohio16+Needed—
Oklahoma16+No—
Oregon16+No—
Pennsylvania16+Needed—
Rhode Island16+Needed—
South Carolina16+No—
South Dakota16+No—
Tennessee16+No—
Texas16+No—
Utah16+No—
Vermont16+No—
Virginia16+No—
Washington16+Needed—
West Virginia16+No—
Wisconsin16+No—
Wyoming16+No—

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Questions

How old do you have to be to work at Papa John's?

You have to be at least 16 to work at Papa John's. Most Papa John's locations are independently owned franchises, and each owner sets their own minimum age. State law can raise the age.

Does Papa John's hire 14- or 15-year-olds?

We couldn't find a real Papa John's posting that accepts 14- or 15-year-olds. Some websites say otherwise, but we couldn't confirm it.

Can I be a Papa John's delivery driver as a teen?

You need a valid driver's license and usually your own insured car, so delivery jobs are for older teens and adults. Younger teens can apply for in-store jobs like making pizzas and taking orders.

Do I need a work permit?

It depends on your state. Some states require a permit for anyone under 18 and limit school-night hours. Check your state's rules.

Other places that hire at 16

Sources

  1. Papa John's Crew Member, Eldersburg, MD (franchise: Pie Investments LLC) - Qureos (2026-06) — minAge 16: 'Minimum Age: 16+ years old' (in-store team members)
  2. Papa John's Crew Member, Elkridge, MD (franchise: Pie Investments LLC) - Qureos (2026-04) — 'Minimum Age: 16+ years old'

Last checked October 10, 2026. See a different age at your Papa John's? Tell us.