73 Restaurant & Food Service Companies That Hire Felons
The restaurant and food service industry is one of the best places to find work with a criminal record. High turnover rates, constant demand for workers, and a culture that values reliability over background make this industry one of the most accessible for people with felonies. From fast food chains to sit-down restaurants, food service employs roughly 12 million Americans, and many of those employers are willing to give people a second chance.
One of the biggest advantages of the food service industry is the franchise model. Chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, and KFC are largely franchise-owned, meaning each location is operated by an independent business owner who makes their own hiring decisions. Even if one location turns you down, the next one may have a different owner with a different outlook. This is why applying to multiple locations of the same chain is one of the most effective strategies.
Corporate-owned restaurant chains also offer opportunities, though the background check process tends to be more formal. Companies like Starbucks, Olive Garden (Darden Restaurants), and Cracker Barrel run background checks but use individualized assessment, meaning they consider the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and its relevance to the job. Starbucks has been especially vocal about second-chance hiring and has partnered with organizations that help formerly incarcerated people find work.
The food service industry also serves as an excellent stepping stone. Many people use restaurant jobs to build a recent work history, demonstrate reliability, and develop references that help them move into higher-paying careers. Starting as a line cook or dishwasher and working up to shift manager is a common and respected path that shows future employers you are dependable and capable of handling responsibility.
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All 73 Food Service Companies
Application guide for McDonald's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Starbucks. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Burger King. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Taco Bell. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Wendy's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for KFC. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Pizza Hut. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Subway. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Chick-fil-A. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Popeyes. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Dunkin'. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Arby's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Olive Garden. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Applebee's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for IHOP. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Cracker Barrel. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Waffle House. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Domino's Pizza. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Papa John's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Jack in the Box. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Sonic Drive-In. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Panda Express. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Little Caesars. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Five Guys. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Panera Bread. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Buffalo Wild Wings. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Red Lobster. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Denny's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Chipotle. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Firehouse Subs. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Jimmy John's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Raising Cane's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Whataburger. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Culver's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Golden Corral. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Hardee's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Carl's Jr.. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Church's Chicken. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Captain D's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Long John Silver's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Zaxby's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Cook Out. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for In-N-Out Burger. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for El Pollo Loco. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Del Taco. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Rally's / Checkers. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for White Castle. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Bob Evans. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Ruby Tuesday. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Texas Roadhouse. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Outback Steakhouse. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Chili's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for TGI Friday's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Hooters. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Village Inn. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Steak 'n Shake. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Dairy Queen. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Wingstop. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Bojangles. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Huddle House. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Shoney's. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Jason's Deli. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Noodles & Company. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Boston Market. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for LongHorn Steakhouse. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Darden Restaurants. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Brinker International. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Taco Cabana. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Marco's Pizza. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Jersey Mike's Subs. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Application guide for Pollo Tropical. A hiring outcome or company-wide criminal-record rule has not been verified for this directory entry.
Tips for Getting Hired in Food Service With a Record
- 1.Apply to multiple franchise locations — each franchise owner sets their own hiring policies, so one McDonald's may reject you while another a few miles away will hire you.
- 2.Kitchen and back-of-house positions are generally more accessible than front-of-house or cashier roles, especially if your record involves theft.
- 3.Fast food restaurants have extremely high turnover — some locations turn over 100% of staff annually — which means they are almost always hiring and more willing to take chances on applicants.
- 4.Start with late-night or early-morning shifts. These less-desirable shifts are harder to fill and managers are often more flexible about hiring.
- 5.Many restaurant chains participate in federal programs like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which gives employers a tax break for hiring people with records — mention this if appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do fast food restaurants hire felons?
- Yes, many fast food restaurants hire people with felony records. Most fast food chains are franchise-owned, meaning each location is independently operated and sets its own hiring standards. Chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy's, KFC, and Subway are known to hire felons at many locations. Starbucks and Waffle House are especially felon-friendly. The key is to apply at multiple locations, because one franchise owner may be more open than another.
- What restaurant jobs can a felon get?
- People with felony records can work in many restaurant positions including line cook, prep cook, dishwasher, busser, server, host/hostess, and food runner. Kitchen positions tend to be the most accessible because they do not involve handling cash directly. Delivery driver positions require a clean driving record in most cases. Management roles are harder to get with a recent felony but possible with time and a good work history.
- Do restaurants run background checks?
- It depends on the restaurant. Large corporate-owned chains like Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, and Starbucks typically run background checks. However, many franchise-owned fast food locations do not run formal background checks, or they run only basic checks. Small independent restaurants rarely run background checks at all. Even when a background check is run, many restaurants use individualized assessment and will still hire people with non-violent records.
- Can I work in food service with a drug felony?
- Yes, in most cases. Drug felonies are generally not disqualifying for food service positions. Most restaurants are more concerned about theft and violent crime convictions than drug offenses. However, some corporate-owned restaurants may have stricter policies. If you are still on probation or parole with drug-related conditions, make sure your work schedule does not conflict with required check-ins or meetings.
- Which restaurant chain is the most felon-friendly?
- Waffle House and Starbucks are widely considered the most felon-friendly restaurant employers. Waffle House has a reputation for hiring people with records at most locations with minimal screening. Starbucks has publicly committed to second-chance hiring and partners with reentry organizations. Other notably friendly chains include Arby's, Popeyes, Dunkin', and many franchise-owned Subway locations.
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Helpful guides
- Background ChecksWhat shows up on a background check?
- ExpungementHow to find an expungement lawyer
- EducationTrade schools for felons
- ToolsReentry Checklist — Preparation Steps After Release