Dunkin' Hiring Overview For 2023

Official company policy for hiring felons

We reached out to Dunkin’ Donuts directly. Here’s what they told us:

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

As of 2017, all Dunkin’ Donuts stores operate on a franchise system. This means that though the name, products and concept remain the same, each store is owned and managed by an individual.

So while having a cinnamon-glazed donut is a company policy — thankfully — things like whether or not to hire former felons are up to the restaurant. And with thousands of locations in 41 states, you’ve got plenty of those to choose from.

Below, we will get into other reasons why a franchise system can help you get a job at Dunkin’ Donuts with a felony.

Has Dunkin’ hired felons in the past?

So, does Dunkin’ Donuts hire felons? While we have no specific information regarding this, people with felonies on their record have most probably worked at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Does Dunkin’ hire people with misdemeanors?

Since the hiring of former felons is up to the specific store, it can safely be assumed that misdemeanors would be looked at on an individual basis, too. This means a misdemeanor would not keep you from getting a job there, either.

Will Dunkin’ hire you with pending charges?

While the Dunkin’ Donuts website and job application form don’t ask anything about arrests or charges, they are a franchised operation and have confirmed that the individual owners are responsible for the hiring. So, the answer is it depends on the location that you apply to.

Is Dunkin’ on the Ban the Box list?

Ban the Box is an initiative meant to motivate companies to make the hiring process fair for former offenders by removing questions about criminal records from the initial application.

Another element of this is The Fair Chance Business Pledge, an initiative introduced by the Obama administration that encourages businesses to make getting a job easier for people with a criminal record.

These two programs are becoming increasingly important in a world where many people have some sort of criminal record. We all deserve a second chance!

Dunkin’ Donuts has unfortunately not taken the Pledge and is not on Ban the Box yet. However, since their hiring practices vary from outlet to outlet, this is not necessarily a drawback.

Does Dunkin’ have special programs for felons?

They have no special programs for felons. Programs that help people with a criminal record get a job are vitally important — especially in the US, where so many people are former felons.

Thankfully, some programs exist to encourage companies to hire former felons. The Federal Bonding Program is one such program. They provide insurance against hiring a former felon, and will even give it to an employer for free for the first six months.

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

Average, at least. A franchisee system means that each store represents a new, fresh opportunity, even if Dunkin’ Donuts isn’t on the Ban the Box list.

Your odds will also be better in states where Ban the Box is law or where background checks don’t go back farther than seven years.

What are some entry-level jobs?

At Dunkin’ Donuts, you’ll be making those donuts (and bagels and muffins and coffee . . .) people love. There is a lot of overlap between jobs, so you may have to do things other positions are technically responsible for. Some entry-level positions in the store are:

Baker or Finisher

This the one who prepares the food: Frying, filling or decorating donuts and baking bagels or muffins.

Crew Member

Crew members man the cashier station, but they do have to know how to prepare certain menu items as well, especially beverages.

While Dunkin’ Donuts is known for its coffee and donuts, there are a variety of shifts available. Working either one of these jobs can quickly turn you into a shift leader, who oversees the crew members and/or bakers. Alternatively, you can try:

Delivery Truck Driver

You can bring the ingredients for those tasty donuts to stores all across the nation. If you have no vehicle-related felony on your record and are a safe driver who is physically fit and punctual, this may be ideal.

If one of these jobs sounds like it’s just the thing for you, head to the DD careers section to apply.

Tips to get hired here with a felony

Getting a job in today’s world is tough. We won’t sugar coat it: It’s even tougher for people with a felony. But it isn’t impossible — far from it! Many people who have come to Relaunch Pad for help have gone on to start wonderful careers.

If you’d like more general information and tips on getting hired with a criminal record, see our handy guide. As for landing that job at Dunkin’ Donuts, here’s what we suggest:

When you apply at your local branch, mention any experience you have in the service industry and your kitchen skills.

Working behind the counter involves handling multiple orders at once and dealing with things like hot oil. If you’re good with that sort of thing, make sure to mention it! If you have a hand for drawing or painting, that may be useful for decorating donuts.

Have a good memory? You will probably nail those hard-to-remember coffee orders.

Think outside of the box and you may find that something you are good at relates to the job you’re trying to get, even if not directly.

A speedy and focused person may be great, but someone with a sunny disposition is ideal. Many of the restaurant chain’s customers start their day at Dunkin’ Donuts, so if you’re someone who doesn’t like mornings or the people who like them, you should look at other shifts or jobs in the back.

When you apply to a job at Dunkin’ Donuts, you will see how varied the descriptions for the same job are from store-to-store. Some are to the point, short and specific. Others are more casual or even funny. Try to tailor your resume to the tone of a given posting, but keep it professional.

Now, for the most important thing: Taking the time to make a great resume is the single most effective way to get hired. Putting that little bit of extra effort into it can make all the difference. Write in a clear font, choose the right photograph and look out for typos. If you need more help and tips on how to craft a perfect resume, see our guide.

Remember that it never hurts to be a consumer of the product you’re trying to sell. So if you love Dunkin’ Donuts, say so when you go in for your interview.

What’s even more important than liking the product is great hygiene. In any food and beverage related job, you want to present yourself in the tidiest, cleanest way, since you’ll be handling things people eat and drink.

This, too, depends on the branch in question. One Dunkin’ Donuts may do one, another may not. While the applications we looked at online do not require information about your criminal record, online reports by employees do say that background checks were performed. This depends on your location and the job you’re applying for.

Here’s some more information on background checks:

There are a number of US states that do not consider anything older than seven years a part of your record, so it may be worth waiting if your record is close to that limit. The states that don’t look at felonies more than seven years old are:

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

(* there are certain pay or salary bracket positions where other conditions apply)

What’s more, there are eight states that don’t consider cases where you were found not guilty. These are:

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

However, if you live in one of the following states, your whole record will be looked at. No matter the verdict or the time passed, these states will see it:

• 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

Dunkin’ Donuts is rated at 3 stars out of 5 on glassdoor.com. Sure, there are bound to be issues in such a large company, but people tend to like working here.

Reviewers rated the category of Culture & Values highest, while Career Opportunities came in at a close second — no doubt due to the possibility of advancement to shift leader, for instance.

It may go without saying, but employees also particularly enjoy the free food and drinks.

What felonies Dunkin’ will not hire

There are some reports on the web saying they do hire people with criminal records, but no consensus on specific charges The Dunkin’ Donuts’s job application and careers website do not have any information about anything related to criminal records.

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

Certain offenses affect your chances of getting a job. For example:

• Relating to the positions we mention above, you can’t be a truck driver if you’ve got a felony on your record that has to do with vehicles
• You also can’t directly work with customers if you’ve got a relevant misconduct charge
• Cashier positions will be harder to get if you have theft or fraud convictions

The laws around these charges vary place-to-place, so it’s worth looking into the policies of your state.

Does Dunkin’ hire sex offenders?

Dunkin’ Donuts did not provide anything about sex offenses directly, on their website, or on their job applications. Most locations are independently owned, so it will likely be a decision made on a case-by-case basis for each location.

Does Dunkin’ drug test?

According to several people who reviewed the company online, a drug test is sometimes part of the process. This comes down to the franchise outlet and its manager.

While due to changing drug laws and a shrinking market the testing rate may be on the decline, caution is still the best way to go.

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

Did you get a job at Dunkin’ Donuts with a felony on your record? Let others benefit from your experience by telling us how you did it.

If this article helped you land a job there, let us know in the comments below.