KFC Job Application | How It Works & How To Get Hired

Bucket of KFC chicken

Are you curious about the application process at KFC? It’s understandable, especially if you’re passionate about the industry. KFC is one of the top restaurants across the globe. As a global company, different branches often have job openings at various points in time. 

You might assume that the KFC application process is the same as all other restaurants. Although there might be some truth in this, it’s crucial for job seekers to understand the unique process of the restaurant to ensure they make informed decisions. This will improve your understanding of the company and impact your application.

In this guide, we shall explain the KFC job application process, how it works, and what it takes to get hired.

Company Overview

Founded: September 24, 1952

Founder: Colonel Harland Sanders

Industry: Casual Restaurants

Website: jobs.kfc.com

Headquarters: 1441 Gardiner Ln, Louisville, KY 40213, United States

Phone Number: 502-874-8288

Company Size: 10,000+ Employees

How To Apply For KFC Jobs

Founded in 1952, Kentucky Fried Chicken is one of the most popular restaurants in the world. As the fast-food industry continues to grow, the KFC restaurant team also continues to increase the company’s branches across various places.

Before contemplating sending an application, ensure you meet the minimum age requirement of 16 years. Once you meet this requirement, then you can proceed to learn about the application process.

— Online Application Form Or Paper Application In-Person

Essentially, there are two ways to apply for a job at a KFC restaurant. You can choose to submit an online application or pick up a physical job form at the branch you’re considering. As you can imagine, online applications are seamless and convenient. You start by creating an account on the company’s website and then fill out a questionnaire. Ensure you understand the job title and job description before proceeding.

The questionnaire is designed to collect some personal information, including contact details. You can also include relevant employment history that can improve your chances of getting the job. Once you’ve filled the questionnaire, crosscheck to ensure you’ve done it right.

During your application process, one thing you want to do is research. What stands candidates out during job applications is the little details. KFC jobs have their requirements. Understanding the role you’re applying to will make your application stronger than those of many candidates.

Following the submission of the form, you’ll likely have to wait for a few weeks. During this period, a subtle hack you might consider is to follow up with the manager with a text or a phone call. If the company proceeds with your application, you’ll receive an update via telephone or email. In that case, you should expect an interview date and prepare accordingly.

KFC Interview Process

The KFC hiring process is designed to outline the best candidates out of the pool. Therefore, the interview process will likely involve resumes and relevant documents indicating work history. The role you’re applying for will determine how many documents you require. 

So, in preparing for your interview, you must compile the necessary documents beforehand. However, more importantly, you must study these documents and understand all you have written. Your recruiters will test you on your work history and the various tasks you carried out. A great candidate will defend these tasks seamlessly and, in fact, connect their answers to the role for which they are applying.

An average KFC interview session will take about 45 minutes with the hiring manager and his KFC team for recruitment. During this period, the candidate will be assessed in numerous areas and given enough time to provide relevant answers. If you’re familiar with interviews, you’d understand that it’s great to keep your answers relevant to the question and precise accordingly. Speak to the company’s positive traits, such as excellent customer service and work environment. You should also understand how to dress for interviews so you don’t get marked down on that.

What more can you expect? If you’re applying to become a cook, important questions to expect include food preparation and kitchen matters. A candidate applying to become a sales attendant, cashier, or finance-related role should expect questions concerning money matters and customer service. Generally, KFC conducts just a single interview. However, you might have to go for two interviews, depending on the location of the branch.

KFC Team Member Positions

Inside a KFC restaurant

At KFC corporation, you’ll find numerous entry-level positions open for consideration based on your qualification. Nevertheless, most of these jobs don’t require candidates to possess prior experience. These positions come with opportunities for growth, as you can progress into advanced roles over time. Below are some of the team member positions you’ll find at KFC.

— Cook

  • This is one of the popular positions at KFC, given that the company is a chicken restaurant. KFC cooks make the chicken and other dishes people buy. Therefore, a cook must study and understand the recipe. Cooks must also understand how to prepare orders and interact with customers as well.
  • Other tasks may include dishwashing, cleaning, and maintenance. The expected pay per hour is approximately $12.24.

— Customer Service

  • As a customer service representative, you’ll interface with customers and take orders. You’ll also help with the preparation of food and might have cleaning tasks to complete.
  • Typically, the pay per hour here is $11.82, which might be increased based on qualifications.

— Assistant Manager

  • Assistant restaurant general managers function alongside the manager to ensure a smooth running of operations in the restaurant. The manager also oversees the staff and regulates the shifts.
  • Other tasks include contributing to the hiring process and training workers. The expected annual salary range is between $37,000 and $40,000.

— Shift Supervisor

  • Shift Supervisors oversee team members and their roles. Each team member has shifts for which they are expected to work. The supervisor keeps a tab on these and ensures they are observed accordingly. This worker also provides flexible schedules to team members where necessary.
  • These supervisors also make sure that customers are well served and that the restaurant’s cleanliness is maintained at all times. 
  • The expected pay per hour is $12.25.

Working At KFC

Life at KFC is generally defined by the work culture and basics such as environment, pay structure, and job duties, among others. The pay for entry-level positions at KFC is generally around the minimum wage or precisely at it. Over time, employees’ pay increases, and most start to make more than $10 per hour. 

Additionally, KFC provides other benefits such as meal discounts for its employees, including part-time team members. Full-time positions also gain access to benefits including:

  • Paid time off
  • 401(k) plan
  • Healthcare coverage

Generally, management positions at KFC are salaried. For assistant managers, you can expect a salary range between $30,000 and $40,000 based on qualification and time spent at the workplace. General managers, on the other hand, earn around $50,000 yearly. These and other benefits impact the quality of work at KFC.

The restaurant also operates with a code of conduct to guide the workplace and ensure the security and respect of all workers. Employees receive relevant training for their roles to make them ease into the job conveniently. 

Nevertheless, it should be noted that the work environment is pretty fast-paced and will require employees to work efficiently. However, this is expected of most companies, so it’s not a deterring factor for candidates looking to work at the restaurant. What matters is for you to understand why you want to work here.

The Bottom Line

KFC careers start with an application process. You can complete the KFC application online, or you can pick up a form at the nearest branch near you. The role you’re applying for will largely determine what you can expect during the application process and interview session. Once you make it to the interview stage, ensure you study adequately about the role and the company.

In this guide, we have discussed KFC jobs, application process, and work culture to help you have a great understanding of the company. With the information provided, you can submit an application and get ready for the role.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you need to be to work at KFC?

When people are contemplating working at KFC, one of the most important questions to answer is the age requirement. Simply, you need to be at least 16 years of age to work at KFC. Persons of this age can apply for entry-level positions at the company and can progress over the years. It’s important to note that this age requirement is ultimately subject to the state laws of the branch location. If the laws prohibit people of this age from working, then they won’t be able to hold these positions.

Once you meet the age requirement, you can proceed online to submit an application form. Alternatively, you can approach the branch physically and hopefully pick up a form physically. Generally, you do not require experience to work in these entry-level positions. Nevertheless, having prior experience might boost your chances of getting hired. Notably, the company tends to hire candidates who are energetic and able to work in teams.

How do I get a job at KFC?

To get a job at KFC, the process starts with an application. The application process involves filling out a questionnaire where you’ll submit some personal details and contact information. The questionnaire will also collect some information about relevant details to the job. The questionnaire might be a place to provide information that will improve your chances of getting an interview.

Following the application, you might get called for an interview. The interview generally takes about 45 minutes, where applicants will be quizzed about the role and company culture. The interview stage will also utilize your resume and other documents that might be relevant to the job. Before going for the interview, ensure you learn about the job in detail and understand your potential duties. Employers want to employ candidates that display a passion for their roles.

What hours do you work at KFC?

If you’re applying to KFC, your shifts will fall within the work hours, which are 10:00 am – 9:00 pm from Monday to Saturday, and 11:00 am – 6:00 pm on Sunday. If you get the job at the company, you’ll have different shifts within these hours. The number of hours you work will depend on the general culture of the company and the role you occupy. 

Furthermore, KFC offers added benefits to ensure it creates a healthy work culture. As you can expect, the environment is fast-paced, and workers are expected to deliver accordingly. However, things are made convenient with the friendly workspace and the benefits. Full-time positions attract healthcare insurance, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off. Employees also get discounts on meals at different times. 

You can choose to work extra hours if you need to make more to offset bills. However, the number of extra hours you can work must remain in line with the company’s policy that is structured according to labor laws. This is to ensure that employees are not put in a position to overwork themselves.

What qualifications do I need to work at KFC?

When applying for entry-level positions at KFC, you do not require any experience to begin. Once you meet the age requirement of the roles, you can submit an application accordingly. What ultimately determines whether you get the role is the quality of your application and other candidates. KFC trains its employees on the roles they apply for, whether as a customer service representative, cook, cashier, or even a manager. 

Nevertheless, it’s crucial to note that experience is an added advantage for applicants that have worked somewhere relevant prior to their application. This is most especially the case when applying for many senior positions, as they are often experience-based. 

Essentially, what you should work on is the quality of your application and your presentation at the interview. This is why you should understand the role you’re applying for and prepare accordingly. You should also study your resume and cover letter to improve your chances.