Does Bojangles Drug Test?
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Bojangles' drug testing varies by franchise operator, state, and position. Many crew members report no pre-employment test, while others — especially management candidates and certain franchise locations — are sent for a urine screen. Bojangles describes itself as a drug-free workplace.
Whether Bojangles drug tests depends heavily on which franchise operates the restaurant and what role you are applying for. Bojangles is a fried-chicken and biscuit chain with hundreds of company-owned and franchised locations across the Southeast, run by operators such as Tands, Inc. and Tri-Arc. On Indeed, many crew members say they were hired with only an interview and background check — no drug test. Others report a urine test at a lab like LabCorp, and several note that screening becomes more likely when you move into a shift-leader or store-manager position. Bojangles states it is an Equal Opportunity Employer providing a drug-free workplace, which means impairment on the job is prohibited even where pre-employment testing is not used. Because policy is set at the franchise level, the most reliable step is to ask the hiring manager at the specific location whether a drug screen is part of their process.
Drug Testing by Position
| Position | Tested? | Test Type | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Member / Cashier | Sometimes | Urine (if tested) | Pre-employment at some franchises; reasonable suspicion |
| Cook / Kitchen | Sometimes | Urine (if tested) | Pre-employment at some franchises; reasonable suspicion |
| Shift Leader | Often | Urine | Pre-employment or promotion (varies by operator) |
| Assistant / Store Manager | Often | Urine | Pre-employment or promotion |
| Drive-Thru / Team Member | Sometimes | Urine (if tested) | Varies by franchise; reasonable suspicion |
Drug Test Type and Process
Because Bojangles restaurants are run by many different franchise companies, there is no single hiring process. Where a test is required, applicants report a standard urine drug screen at a third-party lab such as LabCorp, sometimes with results back within about 24 hours; a few mention mouth-swab tests. The screen is typically a 5-panel checking for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP. Many crew members, however, describe being hired with just an application, interview, and background check and no screen at all. Management candidates are the most consistently tested group. Any employee can also be tested after a workplace accident or when a manager has reasonable suspicion of impairment, since Bojangles maintains a drug-free workplace policy.
Marijuana Policy
Bojangles operates mostly in the Southeast, where recreational marijuana remains illegal in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, so franchises there are more free to test for and act on THC. At locations that do not screen crew members, off-duty marijuana use is unlikely to come up during hiring, but showing up impaired is prohibited and can trigger a reasonable-suspicion test. Management roles are more likely to involve a screen that includes marijuana. Because the drug-free workplace policy is applied at the operator level, the safest assumption is that a given store may test for weed — confirm with the specific location before your start date if this matters to you.
Tips for Applicants
Apply through the official Bojangles careers site or directly at your local restaurant, and ask the interviewer whether their location drug tests and for which positions — franchise answers differ. Crew and cook roles are often the easiest entry points and frequently involve no pre-employment screen, making them a realistic option for people rebuilding after a record. If you are aiming for a shift-leader or manager role, plan for the possibility of a urine test. Bojangles runs background checks, but a record does not automatically disqualify you for crew work; emphasize reliability, a willingness to learn the biscuit and chicken stations, and steady availability. Weekly pay, free or discounted meals, and flexible scheduling are common perks worth asking about.
Recent Policy Changes
- Ongoing: Bojangles' expansion is largely franchise-driven; individual operators (e.g., Tands, Inc., Tri-Arc) set their own drug-testing practices, so policy varies restaurant to restaurant rather than changing chain-wide
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Bojangles drug test new employees?
- It depends on the franchise and position. Many crew members report being hired with only an interview and background check, while other locations send applicants for a urine drug screen. Management candidates are the most likely to be tested.
- Does Bojangles drug test for weed?
- Some locations do and some do not. Where a pre-employment screen is used it typically includes marijuana. At restaurants that skip crew testing, off-duty use rarely comes up, but showing up impaired is prohibited and can trigger a reasonable-suspicion test. Ask your specific location to be sure.
- Does Bojangles drug test managers?
- Often, yes. Multiple applicants report that a drug screen is more likely when applying for or being promoted into shift-leader and store-manager roles. If you are pursuing management, plan for the possibility of a urine test.
- What kind of drug test does Bojangles use?
- When testing occurs, applicants describe a standard urine test at a lab such as LabCorp, sometimes with results in about 24 hours. A few report a mouth-swab test. Practices vary by the franchise operator running the restaurant.
- Does Bojangles do random drug tests?
- Random testing is not standard, though a few employees mention it. More commonly, testing after hire is limited to post-accident and reasonable-suspicion situations under the drug-free workplace policy. Practices vary by operator.
- Why do Bojangles drug test answers differ so much?
- Because Bojangles is heavily franchised, different companies own and operate different restaurants and each sets its own hiring and testing rules. That is why one location may test and another nearby does not. Always confirm with the specific store.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Bojangles Careers — Find locations and apply
Official Bojangles careers portal to search nearby restaurants and apply for crew and management roles
- SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service: 1-800-662-4357
- NORML — State marijuana laws
State-by-state guide to marijuana legalization and workplace protections
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