Does MOD Pizza Hire Felons in 2021?

Job searching with a felony can be pretty stressful. Let’s take a bit of that stress away and answer the question: Does MOD Pizza hire felons?

If you are interested in working in the restaurant industry, MOD Pizza is a great option for employment. MOD Pizza is a top contender of artisan pizzas, sandwiches and salads, with locations in 20 states. They offer medical, dental and vision insurance, 401K plans, paid time off and an Employee Assistance Fund. And, they’re known to be felon-friendly! In this article, we will help you get a job at MOD Pizza with a felony. Together, we will look at the following questions:

Does MOD Pizza hire people with misdemeanors?
What are the odds of getting hired at MOD Pizza with a felony?
Does MOD Pizza do background checks?
Does MOD Pizza do drug tests?

Job searching is tough for anyone. Adding in a criminal background just makes it that much harder. Many of us here at Relaunch Pad have been in this same situation. Our team is mostly made up of former felons or professionals who have worked closely with felons, so we get it. That’s why we directly contact companies and ask them if they hire former felons.

We’re here to alleviate a bit of the stress of job hunting and to help felons get back to a normal life.

So, let’s find out how to get hired at MOD Pizza with a felony record.

Does MOD Pizza hire felons?

Unfortunately, we were unable to reach someone at the company to ask them directly if they hire felons. We don’t give up easily, though, so we’ll continue trying to make contact.

However, there is no need to panic. We did some research to get you the answers. Throughout this article, you’ll see that MOD Pizza does hire felons.

Has MOD Pizza hired felons in the past?

MOD Pizza has hired felons in the past. According to a 2016 CNN article, the company prides themselves on giving those with prior convictions on their records a second chance. Many of these employees go on to become store managers or brand ambassadors.

Does MOD Pizza hire people with misdemeanors?

While we have not been able to get in contact with a company representative to confirm or deny their hiring practices, our research shows that MOD Pizza will hire people with misdemeanors.

Is MOD Pizza on the Ban the Box list?

The Ban the Box Campaign was created in an effort to take that little box off applications. You know the one. The dreaded “check here if convicted of a misdemeanor or felony” box. Companies that have signed the Ban the Box list are committed to looking at an applicant’s previous work history, training and skills before conducting a background check. They literally “ban” the box — they don’t ask about criminal history on the application.

The Fair Chance Business Pledge is also part of this campaign. Launched by the White House during the Obama Administration, the Pledge is dedicated to giving former felons a second chance at living a productive life.

Our research does not show where MOD Pizza has committed to the Ban the Box Campaign or signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge, but they are willing to hire those with a conviction on their record anyway.

Does MOD Pizza have special programs for hiring felons?

MOD Pizza doesn’t have any special programs for hiring felons. What they do is look for prospective employees needing a fresh start. Those with disabilities, just coming out of foster care, and, yes, those with criminal backgrounds are the type of people MOD Pizza wants to hire.

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

High likelihood of being hired with a felony

Due to our extensive research, we think the odds of getting hired at MOD Pizza with a felony are high. According to multiple media sources, MOD Pizza is known for hiring those in need of a second chance to get back on their feet. Ally Svenson, co-owner of MOD Pizza, even describes her business as “enlightened capitalism.” They want the overlooked workers, including those with a prior convictions!

What are some entry-level jobs?

At MOD Pizza, there are plenty of options for entry-level jobs as part of the MOD Squad. The MOD Squad is made up of all MOD Pizza employees, regardless of position or time with the company. Your first foot in the door might happen as line cook, dishwasher or cashier.

An employee working as a line cook in a pizza restaurant setting typically makes the pizzas, sandwiches or salads per the customer’s order. Dishwashers wash any dishes that come into the kitchen from the dining area, as well as any dishes from the cooks. The cashier will greet customers, take orders and handle payments at the cash register.

These positions will give a new employee a starting point to begin moving up within the company.

How to get hired at MOD Pizza with a felony

The first thing to getting hired at MOD Pizza with a felony is to fill out an online application. If you find yourself struggling with your resume, Relaunch Pad can help with that as well. Our team has come up with a guide to help former felons create a great resume. Make sure, when filling out your application or resume, that correct grammar and punctuation are used. There are local employment agencies that will also help with resumes for those who just aren’t comfortable doing it on their own.

So, you filled out the application and a representative of MOD Pizza has contacted you for an interview. Great news! But what now? It’s time to prepare for the interview!

First thing’s first. Make sure you wear appropriate, clean, wrinkle-free clothes. This is your chance to make a great first impression.
If you have tattoos, try to find a shirt that hides them. If you have piercings, take them out for the interview. During the hiring process, feel free to ask what the company policies are for these things — but for the first interview, it’s best to look and be professional.
Speak clearly and don’t mumble. Your interviewer wants to be able to hear and understand you. Speak loud enough to be heard, but not so loud it seems you’re yelling.
Answer questions directly and to the point. Avoid rambling off-topic. When answering questions, be honest. Honesty will build trust between yourself and the interviewer. Let the MOD Pizza representative know what you have done since being incarcerated. Any classes, special training, volunteer work or community service are great points to mention during the interview.
Ask questions. Take some paper and a pen with you to the interview. During the interview, jot down any questions you may have or anything you would like further explanation on. At the end of the interview, you’ll be asked if you have any questions. Speak up. By taking notes and asking questions, you are showing the interviewer that not only were you paying attention, but that you are interested in the position and in MOD Pizza.

Does MOD Pizza do background checks?

MOD Pizza does not generally perform background checks, according to this article.

Co-founder and CEO Scott Svenson was quoted as saying they look for “attitude, aptitude and energy. We’re embracing this idea that your past, while it might describe you, it doesn’t need to define you.”

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

If you have a conviction that is seven years old, the following states won’t bother looking. However, if it was six years ago, consider waiting a year before applying.

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

(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)

The next eight states won’t even consider court cases where you were found not guilty:

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

Unfortunately, there are states that will see your whole record, including not guilty verdicts. Keep that in mind if you live in one of these 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

We did some online digging to find out MOD Pizza’s ratings. On glassdoor.com, MOD Pizza has a rating of 3.4 out of 5. There are quite a few positive reviews. Employees like the work environment and the ability to move up in the company.

Many of these were from “second chance” employees, or those with a criminal background. However, as with any company, there were also bad reviews.

Most of these were complaints about upper management either being too strict (or not strict enough) and policy changes.

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

Let’s get to the point, right? Does MOD Pizza hire felons? The short answer is yes. MOD Pizza is ready to give anyone a second chance that needs it and is willing to work.

However, a person with a theft conviction might have a hard time getting hired to run the cash register. Drug dealing charges might make it difficult to work in the back kitchen cooking or dishwashing if there is access to a back door.

Does MOD Pizza drug test?

We do not have any firsthand information on MOD Pizza drug testing. We suggest, however, to move forward as if they do. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right? That way there won’t be anything to worry about once you get that call for an interview and begin your employment with the company.

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

Did the information in this article help you get a job at MOD Pizza with a felony? Tell us about it. Your experience might help others in the same situation. We are in this together!