A job listing for a position at a major fast-food chain specified that applicants must be between 16 and 20 years old.
The job listing was for a Team Member role at the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant on London Road in Brighton.
It appeared on multiple job sites, including Indeed and Harri. It specified that the role was for “16 to 20 year olds only”.
The advertised salary ranged from £8 to £10.85 per hour.
The listing, seen here on Indeed, said the job was only for 16 to 20 year olds (Image: Indeed)
From April 2026, workers aged 21 and over are entitled to the National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour, while those aged 18–20 receive £10.85 per hour.
Workers aged 16–17 and apprentices (under 19 or in their first year) are paid the lowest rate of £8 per hour.
Under the Equality Act 2010, age is a protected characteristic, meaning employers cannot discriminate against job applicants on the basis of age – whether young or old – at any stage of the recruitment process.
Age discrimination is unlawful, unless the employer can objectively justify the requirement as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.
The role advertised was a Team Member position at KFC’s London Road branch in Brighton (Image: Google)
Employers who breach these rules can face claims at an employment tribunal, and there is no upper cap on the compensation that can be awarded in age discrimination cases.
A spokesperson for KFC said that the listing “should not have been posted and has been removed”.
A KFC spokesperson said: “We do not place age limits on our roles.
“This listing should not have been posted and has been removed.
“It does not reflect our hiring approach, which is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, based on suitability for the role and everyone is welcome to apply at KFC.”
The job as listed on the recruitment website Harri (Image: Harri.com)
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The spokesperson argued that KFC is one of the UK’s largest employers of young people, and that through its youth employability programme, Hatch, it actively supports young people into work and helps them build skills for the future.
The spokesperson said KFC welcomes job applications from people of all ages and backgrounds.
Roles at KFC are designed to support long-term development, with structured training, apprenticeships, and clear routes for progression, the spokesperson added.