McDonald’s invites teenagers to work: how to apply and how many hours you can work
23 June 20:57
On June 23, the McDonald’s fast food chain in Ukraine officially launched an employment program for young people aged 16 and older. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to NV.
The company has adapted its internal processes to meet legal requirements and introduced new opportunities for teenagers seeking to gain their first work experience, earn their own money, or combine part-time work with study.
As the company’s press service told the media, McDonald’s not only provides official employment opportunities, but also takes responsibility for training young employees by investing in the development of their professional and personal skills. It is about both basic competencies – communication, time management, responsibility – and the opportunity to build a career within an international company.
McDonald’s is one of the few employers in Ukraine that systematically works with young people, creating conditions for their growth. For many employees, this is the first job where they gain experience that will later become an advantage in their professional life,” the company said.
According to official statistics, 15% of the current directors of McDonald’s restaurants in Ukraine were appointed before the age of 25, which confirms the effectiveness of the internal system of personnel development. Some of them started their careers in the company with starting positions in the kitchen or customer service.
Employment of minors is regulated by labor laws. McDonald’s emphasizes that all processes comply with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation on the employment of persons aged 16 to 18. In particular, underage employees are provided with
- working hours only between 7:00 and 21:00,
- no more than 18 hours per week – for schoolchildren during the school year
- up to 36 hours per week during vacation periods or for those who are not studying.
We offer a flexible schedule that allows young people to combine work and study, as well as have time for rest and personal life. It’s also a great summer job opportunity for high school and college students,” the McDonald’s press service said.
Candidates over the age of 16 can apply online through the company’s website or contact managers directly at the nearest restaurant. To conclude an employment contract, a written consent of one of the parents or guardian is required, as well as a medical examination, as provided by the current legislation.
McDonald’s and employment for Ukrainians
The fast food chain in Ukraine continues to be one of the largest employers in the catering industry. The company actively invests in its employees, implements social projects, and supports inclusion and youth development.
McDonald’s Ukraine has about 10,000 employees working in the network, according to the company’s press service. In 2023, the number of employees increased by 7% to 9,614. The Forbes profile indicates a slightly lower figure – 9,682 employees as of the current date.
Why the figures differ:
- the chain’s growth: the chain opened new restaurants in 2024, so the staff grew;
- different reporting periods: Forbes data may be outdated or reflect only officially registered employees;
- official McDonald’s statistics: the most recent figures are “almost 10,000”, confirmed by the company.
The expansion of the youth employment program is not only a response to social challenges, but also an example of business adaptation to the new reality, in which supporting active youth and creating fair, safe working conditions is part of the sustainable development strategy.
Read also: Network expansion: McDonald’s opened the first restaurant in Uzhhorod with energy-saving technologies
How the history of McDonald’s in Ukraine began
McDonald’s Ukraine Ltd was founded in December 1995 and is owned by Dutch Golden Arches European Holdings (99.975%) and Irish Global Restaurant Operations of Ireland (0.025%).
The first restaurant opened on May 24, 1997 near the Lukyanivska metro station in Kyiv. By 2021, the chain had about 109 restaurants in more than 25 cities of Ukraine.
In February 2022, at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, McDonald’s temporarily suspended operations in Ukraine, but continued to pay salaries to employees.
Starting in August-September 2022, restaurants were opened in stages in Kyiv and the western regions, following new security protocols. By the end of 2022, there were approximately 64 open restaurants, and by the beginning of 2023, there were already 101.
McDonald’s is a financial partner of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Ukraine. During the war, some of the restaurants were used to provide free meals to the military, doctors, and resettlement of citizens. In addition, the company paid UAH 2.6 billion in taxes in 2024.
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