Big Boy Hiring Overview For 2023

Is Big Boy on the Ban the Box list?

The Ban the Box campaign and the Fair Chance Business Pledge have both worked to help those with a criminal record reintegrate into the workforce.

Ban the Box is a program designed to get employers to leave criminal history questions off of their employment applications. The Pledge is designed to help workers with a record gain more opportunities within the companies they already work for.

Big Boy is not officially part of the Ban the Box campaign. However, criminal history questions are not a part of their application process.

Does Big Boy have any special programs for hiring felons?

Big Boy told us they do not have any programs designed to help hire former felons. They did say that they believe in giving people a second chance. You should also check with your local unemployment office and job placement centers. They regularly help people in similar situations.

What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?

We think that the chances are high that a person will get hired at Big Boy with a felony. They said they do, and lots of people who have worked there say this is true. So really, aside from getting onto Ban the Box and the Pledge (and they don’t even ask for your conviction history on the application), what more could we ask for?

What are some entry-level jobs?

We looked through Big Boy’s job search website. We found plenty of entry-level jobs that are regularly available at their various locations. Most of the jobs regularly available don’t require a GED or high school diploma, but having them would certainly help.

Some of the entry-level jobs at Big Boy include:

• Food runners
• Greeters
• Cashiers
• General laborer
• Servers
• Line cook

Big Boy restaurants typically open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 or 11 p.m. This means that there are multiple shifts available, adding to flexibility.

Tips to get hired here with a felony

Since we have a company here willing to hire felons, we want to make sure you maximize your chances of getting hired. Figuring out how to get a job at Big Boy with a felony involves understanding their hiring process. When you go to the job’s webpage, you’ll see instructions about how to apply. It’s a quick read. As you browse for jobs you think you’re qualified for, you’ll click the apply button for each specific job.

Their application process is amazingly simple. All you need is your name, email address, phone number and a resume.

Wait, what resume?

If you don’t have one ready, that’s okay. Here at Relaunch Pad, we’ve created a guide to help you make a resume that will get you through the door. You probably have more experience than you realize.

If you had jobs in prison, which most people are required to have, you certainly learned some valuable skills:

• Following a supervisor’s orders
• Teamwork with your coworkers
• Completing tasks on time
• On-the-job discipline
• Communication skills with customers

After you get your application filled out and sent in, don’t stop preparing. You need to be ready for an interview. This involves looking the part. What we mean by that is: You don’t want the interviewer to think, “Wow, this person just left prison.”

• You need to find a presentable set of clothes. If you’re struggling with finances, check with your local unemployment office, Salvation Army or Goodwill. They regularly have programs and clothes for people in similar situations.
• Get a haircut a few days before you go and trim up any facial hair.
• Right before you go to the interview, put on some deodorant and brush your teeth.

In our research about Big Boy’s hiring process, we learned about their interview process. Most people said it was straightforward and with the manager of the restaurant. You will be asked about any experience you have in the position you are applying for. They will also ask about your availability. Be prepared to answer questions about your criminal record. Don’t shy away from your past. They want honesty. Remember, they’re willing to hire felons!

Big Boy restaurants didn’t let us know about their background check policy. We also couldn’t find any information in our research. In many instances, restaurants don’t perform background checks. However, we can’t say one way or the other. However, each state does background checks differently.

Here’s what you need to know about background checks:

Some states only have checks that go back seven years. That’s great news, especially if your criminal history is from a while ago. Here are those states:

• California
• Colorado*
• Kansas*
• Maryland*
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire*
• New York*
• Texas*
• Washington*

*sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.

Some states cover your entire history, but only of charges in which you were found guilty. That means that dropped charges or those where you were found not guilty are left off. Those states include:

• Alaska
• California
• Hawaii
• Indiana (limited check)
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York

Unfortunately, there are many state background checks that show everything and that go back indefinitely. This includes charges you were found guilty of as well as any dropped or not guilty charges. Here are those states:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• DC
• Delaware
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana (intensive check)
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina

Company ratings

The website glassdoor.com says that Big Boy has a 3.3 out of a possible 5-star rating and 53% of people say they would recommend working there a friend.

Many people loved the relaxed work environment at Big Boy. Respondents say they liked their coworkers and that management at many locations was great. If you get into a management position, you become eligible for paid vacation and a 401k retirement plan.

Many complaints revolved around disorganized scheduling, though this would vary depending on the location. There were a few complaints about the work hours and having to close a store one night, then reopen the next morning.

What felonies Big Boy will not hire

Big Boy didn’t share the felonies that would force them to pass your resume over, but we found some felonies that might have more of an impact than others and shared that below.

What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?

Are you still wondering: Does Big Boy hire felons? We think there is a good chance they do, which is why we encourage you to apply. However, there are some convictions that may have a harder time getting hired at Big Boy.

• Much of this work is customer-focused. Due to that, those with violent charges or sex crimes may not get hired for certain positions.
• Those with theft charges may have a slightly harder time getting hired, but this may not be a problem unless you want a management job. Typically, only managers handle large amounts of money.

Does Big Boy hire sex offenders?

We don’t know if Big Boy will hire sex offenders because they didn’t say and there’s nothing online about it.

Does Big Boy drug test?

Based on our research, it looks like Big Boy does not perform drug tests on their employees. We aren’t sure if they drug test prospective managers.

Have you applied for a job or worked here before? Share your experiences!

If you’ve ever worked here, our readers would love to hear how to get hired at Big Boy with a felony. Leave your comments below!