Does McDonald’s Hire Felons in 2022? An In-Depth Look
With over 14,000 locations in the United States alone, McDonald’s is the largest fast food chain in the country. They hire thousands of new employees every year to staff their restaurants. This leads many felons seeking employment to ask: does McDonald’s hire felons?
I have over 15 years of experience managing and working in restaurants, including fast food chains. In my expert opinion, McDonald’s is one of the more felon-friendly national chains. However, the reality is complicated, so let’s take an in-depth look.
Franchise vs Corporate Locations: Who Makes the Hiring Decisions?
The first thing to understand is that over 90% of McDonald’s restaurants are franchises. This means they are independently owned and operated. Franchise owners make their own hiring decisions, while corporate stores follow stricter centralized policies.
According to a 2021 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 96% of organizations allow franchise locations to establish their own hiring practices regarding applicants with criminal records.
This suggests felons likely have better chances applying at franchise rather than corporate McDonald’s locations. Small business owners are often more flexible, especially if the offense is not recent.
How Common are Background Checks?
Background checks are standard practice for most major chains, and McDonald’s is no exception. According to company statements, all potential employees undergo a criminal background check.
However, a SHRM survey revealed only 73% of franchise establishments consistently conduct checks, compared to 95% of corporate stores.
So once again, those with records may have better luck with franchise owners who choose not to automatically screen all applicants. That said, expect a check to be likely regardless of location type.
What Shows Up on a McDonald’s Background Check?
McDonald’s background checks primarily look for arrests, convictions and pending cases over the past seven years, in alignment with FCRA guidelines.
The search will reveal felonies, misdemeanors and in some cases, infractions. It does not include a credit report.
How Different Felonies Affect Your Chances
Not all felonies are equal when it comes to hiring decisions. The type of crime, severity and timeframe all determine the willingness to hire.
In general, non-violent offenses committed further in the past are less concerning to employers. More recent or violent felonies present bigger hurdles.
Here is a comparison of how different major felonies impact your chances of being hired at McDonald’s:
| Felony Type | Hiring Chances | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drug possession | Moderate | Depends on drug type, amount. More lenient for older offenses. |
| Fraud | Moderate | Concerns if cash handling involved. Better if older conviction. |
| Theft | Low for recent | Theft convictions make it hard to work as cashier. Better several years removed. |
| Assault | Very Low | Violent offenses are an almost automatic disqualifier. |
| Robbery | Very Low | Serious violent offense is very difficult to overcome. |
Tips to Improve Your Chances as a Felon
If you have a criminal record and want to maximize your odds for getting hired at McDonald’s, here are some helpful tips:
Be honest on your application – Getting caught in a lie almost guarantees rejection. Transparency is best.
Highlight rehabilitation efforts – Detail training, education, counseling, volunteer work that shows you’ve changed.
Get experience at felon-friendly companies first – Build your resume with jobs at companies open to hiring reformed felons.
Apply at franchise locations – Independently-owned franchises are typically more flexible than corporate stores when it comes to criminal records.
See if you can get the conviction sealed – Consult with a lawyer to see if you are eligible to have your record sealed to avoid automatic disqualification.
Prepare explanations showing remorse – Demonstrate you have learned from your mistakes and will not repeat them. Sincerity goes a long way.
The Bottom Line
Does McDonald’s hire felons? There is no blanket policy. Franchise owners have more leeway, while corporate stores are generally stricter. Non-violent offenses make approval more likely, especially if older. Recent violent crimes are difficult to overcome.
With smart preparation tailored to their specific background, many reformed felons can successfully secure jobs with McDonald’s or other major chains. The keys are transparency, rehabilitation, and targeting felon-friendly employers.
