ATLANTA - As the job market continues to lag, quick-service restaurants have been attracting job seekers of all ages, especially older workers with experience, education and marketable skills, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

K??wan Banks, 35, endured three rounds of interviews to land a job at an Atlanta McDonald??s. With a college education and experience working at Avis Rent A Car, landing the managerial training position was tougher than she expected.

"Oh my God, yes," she said. "I didn??t think McDonald??s was that serious."

While a QSR job has been the traditional first job or summer job for teens, landing that job has become much more difficult. Restaurant owners can afford to be choosy with a talent pool that greatly exceeds the number of job openings.

"The quality of applicant has gotten better," said Keith Lollis, who operates three McDonald??s in the Atlanta area. "They are coming dressed better and presenting themselves better. They look sharp, they act sharp and they keep eye contact."

Before the recession, Aziz Hashim, chief executive of Decatur-based National Restaurant Development Inc., said he had difficulty finding enough workers. But times have changed.

"If we open up even a very modest job opening, it would not be unusual for us to get 50 or 100 applications," said Hashim, who has restaurants in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Jacksonville and Orlando.

Because demand for QSR jobs is strong, wages have remained stable, and pay has remained flat for the past year. The average hourly wage was $8.93 in March, compared to $8.81 per hour last year. The national minimum wage is $7.25.

In addition to better applicants, employee retention is increasing.

"I??ve got to be honest, the economy helps," said Arthur Greeno, a Tulsa Chick-fil-A operator. "When the economy is tough, people with jobs aren??t going to be out looking for jobs."