Finding stable employment is one of the biggest challenges for those reentering society after a felony conviction. Many major companies have policies against hiring felons, significantly limiting job prospects. So what about Domino‘s, one of the largest pizza chains in the U.S.? Does Domino‘s give felons a fair shot at employment?
The short answer is: it depends. Domino‘s does hire felons for some positions, but several factors impact your chances of getting a job, including the nature of your conviction, how long ago it occurred, and the specific store location‘s policies. Let‘s take an in-depth look at Domino‘s stance on hiring those with criminal records.
Domino‘s Hiring Process and Background Checks
First, it‘s important to understand Domino‘s general hiring process. Like most employers, Domino‘s requires job applicants to undergo a background check before receiving a job offer. This typically includes a criminal history check going back at least 7 years.
According to Domino‘s corporate policy, the company uses a third-party provider to conduct background screenings on all potential employees. However, the decision to hire or not hire an applicant with a criminal record is ultimately left up to the individual franchise owner or store manager.
This means hiring policies regarding felons can vary significantly from one Domino‘s location to another. One store may be willing to hire someone with a felony on their record, while another may have a strict policy against it.
Felony Convictions That May Disqualify You
While some Domino‘s locations may be open to hiring felons in general, certain convictions are more likely to be disqualifying than others. Felonies that involve violence, theft, or sexual misconduct are the most problematic.
For example, a conviction for assault, robbery, or rape will almost certainly prevent you from being hired at Domino‘s (or most other employers). Since Domino‘s employees often handle cash and interact with customers, any felonies indicating a risk of violence or theft are major red flags.
Drug-related felonies may also decrease your odds of getting hired. However, some Domino‘s managers may be more willing to overlook a single drug offense from several years ago, especially if you‘ve demonstrated rehabilitation and have a solid work history since your conviction.
"Ban the Box" and "Fair Chance" Laws
In recent years, some states and cities have implemented "Ban the Box" or "Fair Chance" laws that restrict when and how employers can inquire about criminal history. These laws aim to give ex-offenders a fairer shot at employment by delaying background checks until later in the hiring process.
Under "Ban the Box" laws, employers cannot ask about criminal history on initial job applications. Only after selecting an applicant for an interview can they inquire about criminal convictions.
Currently, 13 states have "Ban the Box" laws that apply to private employers, with dozens of cities and counties implementing similar policies. If you live in an area with these laws, Domino‘s cannot automatically disqualify you from consideration just for having a felony record.
However, Domino‘s can still choose not to hire you based on your specific convictions, especially if they relate to the job duties. "Fair Chance" laws require employers to consider factors like the nature of the offense, time passed, and rehabilitation efforts—but they don‘t completely restrict felony hiring decisions.
Improving Your Chances of Getting Hired at Domino‘s With a Felony
While having a felony makes getting a job at Domino‘s (or anywhere) more difficult, there are steps you can take to improve your chances:
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Be honest: Don‘t try to hide your felony convictions, as they will likely come up during the background check. Instead, be upfront and prepared to briefly explain the circumstances, what you learned, and how you‘ve changed since the conviction.
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Highlight your relevant skills and experience: If you have previous experience in food service, customer service, cash handling, or delivery driving, emphasize this in your application and interview. Demonstrating you have the necessary skills for the job can help offset concerns about your record.
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Gather positive references: If you participated in any job training, substance abuse treatment, or other rehabilitation programs during or after incarceration, ask your counselors or instructors to serve as references. They can attest to your work ethic and changed mindset.
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Look for felon-friendly employers: Some employers are known to be more open to hiring felons than others. While you should still apply broadly, you may have better luck focusing your job search on businesses with a reputation for giving ex-offenders a fair chance.
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Consider applying for a delivery driver position: Some Domino‘s insiders report that felons may have an easier time getting hired as delivery drivers rather than in-store team members. However, you‘ll likely need a clean driving record to be considered.
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Be willing to start at entry level: Even if you have higher-level skills or experience, felons often need to prove themselves in entry-level roles before being considered for promotions. Express your willingness to start at the bottom and work your way up.
Advancement Opportunities for Felons at Domino‘s
For felons who do get hired at Domino‘s, what are the prospects for moving up in the company? Domino‘s entry-level jobs—like delivery driver, customer service rep, and pizza maker—typically offer limited advancement potential on their own.
However, Domino‘s does promote from within for management positions. If you start in an entry-level role and demonstrate strong work ethic, reliability, and leadership skills over time, it‘s possible to move up into shift leader, assistant manager, and even store manager positions—in spite of your felony record.
Of course, landing a management role as a felon is an uphill battle. Those hiring for leadership positions tend to be even more averse to candidates with criminal histories. You‘ll likely need an exceptionally strong track record at the company and glowing recommendations from your supervisors to be considered.
How Domino‘s Compares to Other Pizza Chains
Domino‘s biggest competitors—like Pizza Hut, Papa John‘s, and Little Caesars—have similarly mixed stances on hiring felons. All require background checks and reserve the right to deny employment based on criminal history.
However, these chains also leave the final decision up to individual store owners/managers in most cases. So your odds of getting hired with a felony will depend largely on the particular franchise location you‘re applying to.
Some former felons have reported getting hired at Pizza Hut and Papa John‘s. As with Domino‘s, your chances will be best for entry-level positions like delivery driver. Applicants with violent or sexual offense convictions will have the toughest time getting hired.
The Bottom Line: Domino‘s Hires Some Felons, But It‘s Challenging
So, does Domino‘s hire felons? The answer is a qualified "yes." Some Domino‘s locations will hire applicants with felony convictions, depending on the details of their criminal record and the store‘s individual policies.
Your odds of getting a job at Domino‘s with a felony record will be best if:
- Your convictions are not for violent, sexual, or theft-related offenses
- Significant time (at least 5-7 years) has passed since your conviction
- You apply in a "Ban the Box" location that delays background checks
- You‘re seeking an entry-level position like delivery driver
- You‘re upfront about your record and can demonstrate rehabilitation
However, there‘s no guarantee of employment. Domino‘s is not among the most felon-friendly employers overall. With a felony on your record—especially a recent one—getting hired at Domino‘s will be an uphill battle.
But it‘s not impossible. If working at Domino‘s is your goal, your best bet is to be strategic about where you apply, highlight your most relevant skills and experience, and practice explaining your conviction in a way that emphasizes your rehabilitation and readiness to work.
With persistence and a strong interview, you may find a Domino‘s store willing to give you a second chance. From there, a positive attitude and strong work ethic can set you up for potential advancement opportunities within the company, in spite of your criminal record.
