Fast Food & Restaurant Jobs
Wendy's Jobs
One of the largest US fast-food burger chains, hiring crew members, cooks, cashiers, shift leaders, and managers at thousands of restaurants year-round.
Updated for 2026 · Independent & ad-supported
Overview
Wendy's is one of the biggest fast-food burger chains in the US, with thousands of restaurants that hire crew members, cashiers, cooks, shift leaders, and managers throughout the year. About 95% of locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees, so pay, benefits, and start dates are set locally and vary by restaurant. Most entry-level crew jobs require no experience and offer flexible, often part-time schedules that work well for students and first-time job seekers.
| Typical pay | About $10-$17/hour for most crew and cashier roles; managers earn more |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16+ for most crew roles (some franchise or state rules differ) |
| Where they hire | Nationwide across the US at thousands of company-operated and franchised restaurants |
| Hiring | Hires year-round for restaurant crew and management. Applications are handled locally by each restaurant or franchise operator, and many entry-level openings can be applied to in a few minutes through the online recruiting assistant. |
Pay varies widely by location, role, and franchise operator. Indeed (2026) puts the average Wendy's crew member around $12.69/hr and cashier around $12.85/hr, with an overall reported range of roughly $7.25 to $22.15/hr. Roughly 95% of Wendy's restaurants are independently franchised, so operators set their own starting pay, usually at or above the local minimum wage. California fast-food workers earn a state-mandated $20/hr floor under the FAST Act.
Common roles & pay
| Crew MemberEntry-level all-around role: taking orders, working the drive-thru, preparing food, and keeping the restaurant clean. No experience required. | About $12.69/hr average (Indeed, 2026) |
|---|---|
| CashierFront-counter and drive-thru order taking and payment. Often combined with other crew duties. | About $12.85/hr average (Indeed, 2026) |
| Cook / GrillPreparing and cooking food to order on the grill and fry stations; fast-paced and physical. | About $14/hr (Gridwise, 2026) |
| Shift Leader / Shift SupervisorRuns a shift, directs crew, handles cash, and steps in on stations as needed. A common first step into management. | About $15.20/hr average (Indeed, 2026); roughly $13-$19/hr (Gridwise) |
| Assistant ManagerSupports the general manager with scheduling, inventory, training, and daily operations. | Roughly $16-$24/hr, about $18/hr average (Gridwise, 2026) |
| General ManagerSalaried role running the whole restaurant, including hiring, staffing, cost control, and results. Usually requires prior restaurant leadership experience. | About $45,000-$75,000/yr, roughly $55,000 average (Gridwise, 2026) |
Benefits
- Free or discounted meals during shifts (varies by location)
- Flexible scheduling, including part-time shifts that suit students and first-time workers
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage for eligible employees
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution for eligible employees
- Paid time off for eligible employees
- Employee Assistance Program (availability varies by operator)
- On-the-job training and opportunities to be promoted from crew into shift and management roles
What it's like to work at Wendy's
Most people start at Wendy's as a Crew Member, working the front counter, drive-thru, or kitchen. The work is fast-paced and physical: taking orders, cooking on the grill and fry stations, restocking, and keeping the restaurant clean. From there, common next steps are Shift Leader (or Shift Supervisor), Assistant Manager, and General Manager, and Wendy's franchises promote many of their managers from within.
On pay, Indeed data (2026) puts crew members around $12.69/hr and cashiers around $12.85/hr on average, with shift leaders near $15.20/hr. Gridwise's 2026 guide reports assistant managers around $18/hr and general managers roughly $45,000-$75,000 a year. What you actually earn depends heavily on your state and city minimum wage and the franchise operator, since Wendy's corporate does not set a companywide minimum above local law. California fast-food workers, for example, earn a $20/hr state floor.
Benefits vary by location because most restaurants are franchised. Commonly offered perks include free or discounted meals and flexible scheduling. Eligible employees at participating locations may also get medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with an employer contribution, and paid time off, though these are strongest at company-operated stores.
To improve your odds, apply to several nearby locations, list the widest availability you can (especially nights and weekends), and follow up in person a few days after applying. Entry-level crew roles do not require experience, so being on time, friendly, and willing to learn matters most. If you want more hours or faster raises, ask about cross-training and moving up into a shift-leader role.
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