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Does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Hire Felons in 2021?

By Last update August 6, 2019
jobs for felons, company profile, Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy, Restaurants, Ice Cream Shop, Dessert Bar, Fast Food

Do you love ice cream and the idea of serving up this wonderful treat to customers? Then let’s look at the question: Does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy hire felons? If you live in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas or Missouri, there may be a job opening nearby in one of the company’s over 300 locations.

Relaunch Pad reaches out directly to each company to ask if they hire former felons. We’re in the business of getting people with criminal records looking for work job-ready. Our expertise comes from stellar research and life experience as ex-offenders or people who have mentored them. So, read on for our advice about how to get a job at Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy with a felony or misdemeanor.

Does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy hire felons?

jobs for felons, company profile, Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy, Restaurants, Ice Cream Shop, Dessert Bar, Fast Food
Attr: Wikimedia Commons. Author Ichabod

Official company policy for hiring felons

Here’s the official statement we received from the company when we asked them how to get hired at Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy:

“We don’t automatically bar people with felony convictions. It can be a case-by-case determination. It depends on how long it has been [since the offense], what it was concerning and what position they are seeking.”

Has Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy hired felons in the past?

Yes. The company confirms that they have.

Does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy hire people with misdemeanors?

They probably do. We say this since you can get a job at Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy with a felony, and misdemeanors are less serious.

Is Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy on the Ban the Box list?

We can’t find Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy on the Ban the Box list. Also, there’s no evidence that they’ve signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge. As you may know, these are two programs that help people with criminal records when they’re looking for work. Wait while we explain why these are important.

If a company is on the Ban the Box list, then you won’t find a criminal record check box on their job application. So, they don’t ask about your criminal record right away and will judge you instead for your job skills. Furthermore, employers who take the Pledge do this to show that they treat everyone fairly when they apply for a job. This applies to ex-offenders too.

Don’t be discouraged that they aren’t behind these programs. There are other ways to explain how does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy hire people with misdemeanors and felonies.

Does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy have special programs for hiring felons?

No. Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy has no such programs. However, remember that this is not unusual. Most companies don’t.

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

Average likelihood of being hired with a felony

We assess the odds as average. This is because:

  1. We have their official policy that they treat applicants on a case-by-case basis, including those with criminal records.
  2. They aren’t on the Ban the Box list.
  3. They haven’t signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge.
  4. Some employees say online that you can get a job at Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy and others say that you can’t.

What are some entry-level jobs?

The best illustration of an entry-level job is being a Crew Member at one of the company stores. This position serves customers in the restaurant and store, including taking food orders, cooking and working on cash. You don’t even need a high school diploma!

Here are a few examples of positions that you can apply for if you’ve finished high school and have some job-related experience:

  • Shift Supervisor — Oversees shift operation and supervises crew members at Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy store.
  • Route Maintenance Technician — Provides electrical, plumbing and mechanical maintenance at company stores.

Also, if you live near one of Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy’s farms take a look for entry-level positions in the agricultural, manufacturing and warehouse operations.

How to get hired at Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy with a felony

Start at the careers page on the company website. Search for openings by type and city. When you see something you’re qualified for, fill in an application using your resume for reference.

Improve your chances to get a job at Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy by following these tips:

  • Take your resume to a company store — Many stores advertise for entry-level jobs with a “Help Wanted” sign in the window, so you might just be in the right place at the right time!
  • Ask to see the shift supervisor — Leave your resume with them to make sure they remember you when an opportunity comes up.
  • Read a day in the life on the company website — Do this while you’re waiting for a job interview. It will give you great inside information about the job you applied for.
  • Write down the questions an interviewer might ask — Practice giving good answers. This includes explaining your criminal record and steps you’ve taken to get your life back together.
  • Contact your references — Let them know where you’re applying so they’re ready for a phone call from the hiring manager.

Here’s one final tip for after your interview: Send the hiring manager a formal thank you. Putting a hand-written card in the mail, or dropping it off at the store, will help you stand out from the other candidates. And, as a former felon, you want to be remembered for the right reasons!

Does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy do background checks?

Yes. The company does background checks. You’ll find this statement on their job ads:

“Braum’s is an equal opportunity employer. A criminal background check and a job-fit assessment are required as part of the on-boarding process.”

But, exactly how does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy do background checks is not really clear! Their application form has a checkbox to confirm that you’re eligible to work in the United States. It also says that they’re “an Equal Opportunity Employer . . . [and] comply with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability or any other protected classification.”

Take a look below at this valuable information about how background checks are treated across the United States:

Background checks are restricted to the last seven years of your record in the following states:

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

(* sometimes certain pay or salary brackets require one.)

The states below don’t require employers to consider any not guilty verdicts in your background:

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

Even so, background checks include all prior offenses in the majority of states — as well as the offenses where you were found not guilty. Here’s the full list of states:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Connecticut
  • DC
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Idaho
  • Indiana (extensive check)
  • 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

The company is rated fairly consistently overall by employees on both Glassdoor and Indeed. They have a 3.2 star rating out of 5 on glassdoor.com from 336 reviews. Another 1,400 reviewers on indeed.com give them a 3.7 out of 5 rating. Having said that, only 60% of people on Glassdoor approve of the CEO while 82% approve on Indeed.

The following is a snapshot of the main pros and cons from glassdoor.com:

“Pros: Discounted food and you get to work with ice cream. Good pay, good benefits and good hours.

Cons: Working with frozen ice cream can be difficult on your wrist if you’re not careful. Very long hours and sometimes poor management.”

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

Does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy hire felons charged with theft or fraud? The answer is “maybe”. You’ll be handling cash and credit cards if you work in a company store, so these types of offenses may be a problem. The company needs staff who can be trusted not to steal from the cash register or commit fraud with a customer credit card.

A history of violence may also impact your chances. If you have offenses of this sort, you must convince the hiring manager that you can get along with others on the job and keep your temper in check.

In other words, think about it from a hiring manager’s point of view. Your future boss wants to hire people who can be solid employees and are low risk to reoffend on the job.

Does Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy drug test?

Yes. Staff comment online that a drug test is part of the hiring process.

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

Don’t hold back! What do you know that can help our readers?

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Sandy Bell-Murray
Reentry Educator

Sandy Bell-Murray worked for more than thirty years for the Ontario public service, mainly in adult and youth justice. She began as a Probation and Parole Officer, then became a policy analyst, program supervisor and manager. Currently, she delivers workshops focused on building personal resilience and managing stress. She is an active member of Toastmasters International.