Whether you are a high school student looking for your first summer seasonal job, college student home for the summer and in need of cash, or simply in need of a source of income sooner rather than later, fast food jobs are easy to come by and usually don’t require prior experience. While in the past fast food restaurants were known for low pay and lack of benefits, they have come a long way in the recent years. Many of these restaurants are stepping up the way they treat employees, offering them better pay and impressive benefits such as health insurance, retirement options and sick pay. Here are five of the highest paying fast food restaurants:
1) In-N-Out Burger
At a starting hourly wage of $10.50 per hour, In-N-Out Burger offers the highest hourly rate of any fast food chain. Everyone that works there is entitled to benefits, even part time workers. Competitive perks available to In-N-Out employees include group health, vision and dental insurance, free meals, vacation time and 401k plans. And if you stick around at In-N-Out, you won’t be stuck behind the register or fryer for too long. The company is known for promoting employees from within, and once you become a manager you can make up to $120,000 annually. On top of being one of the highest paying fast food restaurants, In-N-Out Burger is also known for promoting work-life balance and offering flexible hours to its employees.
2) Chick-fil-A
Team members at Chick-fil-A can expect to start at least $8 an hour, and if you work hard you can expect your hourly wage to be bumped up in no time. The company offers competitive benefits including health insurance, 401k plans, free meals and are big advocates of vacation time. You also have the security of knowing you will never have to work a Sunday, thanks to the founders’ religious beliefs. Along with being one of the highest paying fast food restaurants, Chick fil A also encourages education among its employees. Chick fil A team members can earn up to $25,000 in college scholarships and discounts.
3) Starbucks
No matter where you live, there is probably a Starbucks a stone’s throw away. Starbucks has been devoted to setting a precedent for higher pay for fast food workers, with cashiers and baristas starting out with at least $9 per hour. They also offer full benefits to any employee that works at least 20 hours per week, including health insurance, retirement and stock options. Starbucks workers can also expect to receive a full ride to college as a result of the coffee chain’s partnership with Arizona State University.
4) Chipotle
At Chipotle, line workers and cashiers get a higher than average pay of $9 per hour. As one of the highest paying fast food restaurants, managers at Chipotle make an impressive average salary of about $50,000 per year. The fast food chain is also known for promoting over 90% of its staff from within, and rather quickly. After a year, all Chipotle employees receive full benefits, including full health, dental and vision insurance coverage, tuition reimbursement and paid vacation and sick time. Their tuition reimbursement coverage is very comprehensive, offering not only paybacks for bachelor’s and associate’s degrees, but also for business, technical, vocational, graduate and post-graduate schools.
5) Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Five Guys is growing rapidly, and their need to hire so much staff in a short amount of time has led them to be one of the highest paying fast food restaurants. Employees start out at an hourly rate of at least $8.00 per hour. The fast food chain is passionate about promoting from within, and their general managers receive an average annual salary of $50,000. The benefits they give to employees range from retirement benefits to life insurance to sick pay. To make the deal even sweeter, you will be a part of a positive and warm work atmosphere and won’t have to work late nights.
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Author: Jessica Cody
Jessica Cody, a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, has a background in online marketing and public relations. Currently, she works at VHMNetwork LLC in the role of Marketing Analyst. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she studied Journalism and Political Science. She is also an avid runner with a passion for the outdoors.
