17 Famous People Who Started Out Working In Restaurants And Fast Food Chains

Currently working at McDonald’s, but dreaming of making it big? Well, have no fear. Even some of the biggest celebrities got their start as servers and cashiers at restaurants and fast food establishments. It’s not too late to go after your dreams.

Don’t let anyone tell you any different. Working in fast food is a tough job. Not only do you need to keep the customers happy, but you need to make sure their orders are correct. In this day and age, everyone is all about customizing their burgers and chicken sandwiches. Since customers want their fast food fast (of course), there’s also a lot of stress that goes into making sure that the kitchen can keep up with demand.

Thus, they’re perfect first jobs to build up a great worth ethic.

When you work in fast food, you know how important it is to be on time and be “on,” which are vital skills that actors and actresses need to succeed. That said, it’s still a little surprising to see some of these big names on the list. It’s almost hard to picture them anywhere but where they are today. The fact that some of them have photographic proof of their time behind a counter makes their starter jobs even more special. Obviously, a level of pride went into their work.

1. Amy Adams — Hooters

[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iimBkssluzA"]

First, the most intriguing.

Amy Adams, who we all know from American Hustle, Man of Steel, and the odd episode of The Office from back in the day, used to work at Hooters. In 2015, Adams confirmed the job to Entertainment Tonight while on the red carpet for the Golden Globes. She told them that it “was a great way to earn money” back in the day. Supposedly, she was around 18 at the time and started as a hostess before being promoted to waitress.

2. Jennifer Hudson — Burger King

[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6izegZxGic"]

A few years back, on The Queen Latifah Show, Jennifer Hudson and the show’s signature host talked about how they had something in common.

They both worked at Burger King back in the day. Queen Latifah admitted she didn’t have the “good job” at the register, but still got a great work ethic from the experience. Hudson used to work at the drive-thru and often sang to her customers as they grabbed their food. That’s an amazing way to make the fast food experience memorable (and get discovered).

3. Megan Fox — Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Not only did Megan Fox work at Tropical Smoothie Cafe when she was a teenager, but she reportedly had one of the worst jobs.

“I worked at a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Florida when I was 15,” she said to Bang Media, per Digital Spy. “I would have to go out in the street wearing a gigantic banana costume and dance to try to get customers to come in. There was no anonymity, the costume had a big hole cut out so that everyone would see your face.” We never would have expected this.

4. Jay Leno — McDonald’s

Yep, you read that right.

A young Jay Leno used to work at a Massachusetts-based McDonald’s. He credits the experience for teaching him a lot about business. According to CNBC, he also got quite the workout. “The French fries had to be made from scratch. We had to cut what seemed like a ton of potatoes every day,” he reportedly said. “I had these massive forearms from cutting those potatoes.”

5. Barack Obama — Baskin Robbins

Before he became president, Barack Obama actually scooped ice cream.

Hey, it’s an honest way to make a living. Dallas News reports that it was Obama’s first job, and even though it was harder than it may look, it taught him a lot about responsibility and how to balance work and home life. Clearly, it served him well because he now has an important place in our history books.

6. Rachel McAdams — McDonald’s

Actress Rachel McAdams also got her start at McDonald’s, where she worked for three years — which shocked her, since she felt like she wasn’t their best employee.

“I’m not sure why they kept me: I am something of a daydreamer and a dawdler, so they would only let me be the ‘friendly voice’ that greeted you when you entered the restaurant,” she said to The New York Times, per The Huffington Post. “I was slow — I would be organizing the sweet-and-sour packets in the customer’s takeout bag while the line snaked out the door.”

7. Andrew Garfield — Starbucks

[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4HrnOAeDt4"]

If you were one of the lucky latte fans out there, you may have been served by actor Andrew Garfield once upon a time.

Back in 2015, Garfield talked about the job on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He said it was his first job to help make some money while supporting his dream. He also said he was excited about it, since it was one of the first Starbucks to hit London — but the experience was not like the John Hughes fantasy he had imagined.

8. Eva Longoria — Wendy’s

This story is actually pretty heartwarming.

Eva Longoria didn’t start her job at Wendy’s because she liked the burgers — she actually did it to help fund her own quinceañera. In 2016, she revealed the story to Redbook. “I couldn’t wait to get to work and make my own money,” she said. “There was never any resentment because I saw how hard my mother worked and all she did for my sister [with special needs], and I wanted to do whatever I could to help. We all did.”

9. Jenna Fischer — Long John Silver’s

Next time you stop by Long John Silver’s, you may want to think of Jenna Fischer.

Not only was it one of her first jobs, but it gave her a strong work ethic. “My parents taught me that if I wanted something I had to work for it and earn my own money,” she said in her Instagram caption. “I’m so thankful for this lesson as it has served me well in my life.” It sure did, since she went on to become one of our favorite faces on The Office. 

10. Chris Pratt — Bubba Gump Shrimp

Before he was Andy Dwyer (and later Star-Lord), Chris Pratt worked at Bubba Gump Shrimp. And, he seems pretty proud of the fact.

“Every time I go back, I’m reminded of the thousands of shrimp I ate off of people’s plates on the way back to the kitchen,” he admitted on Instagram. While this isn’t exactly something we should aim to copy, we still admire the fact that Chris Pratt had more humble beginnings. It makes us like him more.

11. Gwen Stefani — Dairy Queen

Gwen Stefani working at Dairy Queen seems a little b-a-n-a-n-a-s, don’t you think? But, it’s totally true.

She revealed the fact to Marie Claire back in 2017, crediting the ice cream company for helping her earn her first dollar. According to The Daily Meal, “In her teens, the No Doubt lead singer doled soft serve and manned the blizzard machine at her hometown Dairy Queen in Orange, California.”

12. Kate McKinnon — Cold Stone Creamery

On the topic of ice cream, funny lady Kate McKinnon used to work at Cold Stone Creamery.

According to People, McKinnon revealed the fact on an episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan, stating that “the real task of the job was to steal small samples of the ice cream without people noticing.” Though we’re sure her employers wouldn’t have been thrilled with that, it does indeed sound like a fun way to pass the time if there’s a lull in customers.

13. Tyler, The Creator — Starbucks

Tyler, The Creator was also a Starbucks barista, but his experience wasn’t necessarily the best.

THANKS. EVERYONE. TO CINDY THAT FIRED ME FROM STARBUCKS, THANK YOU.

— T (@tylerthecreator) November 10, 2013

E! News reports that while the rapper was on Jimmy Kimmel Live, he revealed he still holds a grudge after being fired after two-and-a-half years on the job. “This lady named Cindy, she was a new manager, she hated on me and she fired me and I hope she’s watching ’cause I still hate her,” he said. “I hate you so much! I hate you, Cindy!”

14. James Franco — McDonald’s

James Franco wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post which almost romanticized his time working at McDonald’s.

According to USA Today, Franco worked the late shift at the drive-thru and used the opportunity to try out new accents with the people he had to deal with on the headset. Turns out that was probably great experience for him. “All I know is that when I needed McDonald’s, McDonald’s was there for me. When no one else was,” he said.

15. Lin-Manuel Miranda — McDonald’s

#TBT my first job. ⁦@YNB⁩ pic.twitter.com/nCuiwGg7AV

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 9, 2019

Broadway breakout star Lin-Manuel Miranda also got his start in fast food — at McDonald’s, to be specific.

It was his first job, and he kept his name tag. Obviously, it serves as a small reminder for how far he’s come since. “My first job was working the cash register and deliveries for McDonalds,” Lin-Manuel wrote on Twitter. “It was worth it for this song, years later.” You never know what could serve as inspiration in your life.

16. Nicki Minaj — Red Lobster

Nicki Minaj also got her start waiting tables, but her stint at Red Lobster didn’t last as long as she likely hoped.

In a profile with GQ, Minaj admitted that she followed a couple out who had taken her pen, and then flipped them the bird after they handed it back. It wasn’t necessarily her favorite pen, either. “It was the principle,” she admitted. Probably not the best move, but sometimes we get carried way, right?

17. Pharrell — McDonald’s

Not only did Pharrell work at three different McDonald’s restaurants, but he was fired three different times.

But, Pharrell doesn’t seem to have any hard feelings about it. Per Eater, he told Late Night With Seth Meyers that he “was lazy… I was only good at eating the chicken nuggets.” Fair — their chicken nuggets are pretty great. But then again, we imagine this helped get Pharrell to where he ultimately needed to go.