Dairy Queen Hiring Overview For 2023

Official company policy for hiring felons

The company’s response, when asked, was:

“Each store owner determines their hiring policy. They are required to follow all state and federal guidelines.”

If you aren’t sure what your state and federal guidelines are, you’re not alone. Here’s a link to information on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission so you can start your search with what your rights are. Then look into the state you live in, and read our section on background checks below!

Has Dairy Queen hired felons in the past?

They did not confirm if they have hired former felons, but did not rule it out completely. The fact that each local franchise owner controls hiring makes it likely that DQ has hired former felons in the past at some of their locations. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get confirmation online from past employees.

Does Dairy Queen hire people with misdemeanors?

It is possible that you have a minor offense on your record. Based on their application, the answer seems to be: Yes.

Will Dairy Queen hire you with pending charges?

The company probably will, though it would follow the rules of hiring someone with a convicted record: the charges would have to not impact the job you applied for.

Is Dairy Queen on the Ban the Box list?

How can former felons be sure they are being treated fairly when applying for jobs? Well, there is a movement sweeping America that seeks to ensure everyone gets a fair chance at employment.

The Ban the Box movement works to remove questions about felony convictions from application forms. Some companies even pledge to consider applicants based on their qualifications, not their conviction records, and to treat them equally. These businesses have signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge.

Is Dairy Queen on the list of companies supporting these initiatives? No, but their statement shows they keep an open mind.

Does Dairy Queen have special programs for hiring felons?

DQ doesn’t have any special programs for hiring felons at the moment.

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

Their statement says they’ll comply with state and federal guidelines, so there are some states you’ll have better odds in. However, we think your odds are about average since we lack firsthand evidence that they’ve hired felons before.

What are some of the entry-level jobs at Dairy Queen?

Check out their careers page to see what’s current. In general, new hires at Dairy Queen perform a number of duties:

• Drive-thru window
• Cashier
• Cook
• Cake decorators
• Management trainee

All positions require good people skills, basic math skills, and the ability to lift and carry heavy things. However, Dairy Queen offers on-the-job training so you can earn while you learn.

Drive-thru window attendants and cashiers must be friendly, happy to meet new people and willing to go the extra mile to make a customer’s visit perfect. Cooks, cake decorators and management trainees work behind the scenes to make everyone’s job easier.

If you’ve ever been to a Dairy Queen, you can see what some of the jobs are like.

Tips to get hired here with a felony

So, how does Dairy Queen hire felons? Managers will review the background and skills you list on your application. They’re looking for stellar customer service people, so show them this is you!

If you apply in-store, remember to bring your resume. Take a look through this guide we made so your resume is as strong as possible.

The key thing to remember is to look for skills that relate to the job you’re applying for.

Here’s how to ace the interview:

• If questions about your record come up, answer them politely. Even better, tell them about your self-improvement.
• Dress well. Choose an outfit that shows you’re serious about your future prospects.
• Arrive early. Being prompt and prepared for your interview creates a good first impression.
• Be friendly and self-assured. Make them believe you are exactly who they’ve been searching for. Be direct and maintain eye contact.
• Avoid bad language.
• Always be polite and friendly.
• Ask intelligent questions like: How many hours they are looking to fill? Will you have to work weekends and holidays? What are your chances of entering the management trainee program? Every interviewer will give you the opportunity to ask questions at some point in the interview.

The absolute best way to get a job at Dairy Queen with a felony is to get a referral. Referrals give you so much credibility. Someone who already works at the company is saying you’d be a good fit.

They probably do, especially for positions of trust or where you’ll be handling money. Don’t worry about this; it is quite common in the restaurant industry.

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

Different states have different standards when it comes to background checks. Some states only reveal information for the past six years, while others will show your entire record. The lists below will help you know what employers will see when they check on your background.

These states don’t include offenses which are over seven years old in their background check results:

• California
• Colorado*
• Kansas*
• Maryland*
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire*
• New York*
• Texas*
• Washington*(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)

There are also some states which don’t consider court cases were you were found not guilty. Here are the states which are currently on this list:

• Alaska
• California
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York

Sadly, there are still some states that bring up your entire record when conducting background checks. If you live in one of these states, your potential employer will be able to view any legal issues in your past:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• DC
• Delaware
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Company ratings

Dairy Queen can be a great place to work. Ratings from current and former employees on glassdoor.com average 3.5 out of 5. Many reviewers commented on how great the people were to work with and that the customers were great, but it is a very physical, intense job.

What felonies Dairy Queen will not hire

The company didn’t give us any specific felony that would disqualify an applicant straightaway. That said, read below for those convictions you’d have to explain.

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

Given the family-friendly environment and amount of cash handling at a Dairy Queen, there are several felonies that could prevent you from being hired:

• Theft of money or property
• Assault or stalking
• Harassment
• Convicted sex offenders
• Convictions for drugs or alcohol

Does Dairy Queen hire sex offenders?

There is a chance they won’t, but you might be able to explain your record and match state requirements around your conviction.

Does Dairy Queen drug test?

The website and application do not indicate whether or not Dairy Queen does drug testing. However, you should always be prepared for the possibility.

If you struggle with addiction, please take steps to get sober and maintain your recovery.

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

If you know how to get hired at Dairy Queen with a record, share with your peers. Any insider tips you leave will help the community!