Skip to Navigation
Fortune 100 ranked The Cheesecake Factory number 25 out of the top 100 best places to work in 2019. That’s great, but does The Cheesecake Factory hire felons? This is a question we were very interested in finding an answer for.
Were you aware that Relaunch Pad contacts companies directly to ask about their hiring policy for former felons? That’s right, we do!
Relaunch Pad uses personal experience as an opportunity to help you in your job search. How? Many of us are former felons or have worked closely with them. Since we are able to relate to the stress and rejection that comes with looking for a job with a record, we try and make the process as easy as possible for you.
This is why we strive to answer questions like:
- Does The Cheesecake Factory hire people with misdemeanors?
- Does The Cheesecake Factory do background checks?
- What do previous employees have to say about working here?
- Does The Cheesecake Factory drug test?
Does The Cheesecake Factory hire felons?
Official company policy for hiring felons
Here is what The Cheesecake Factory had to say:
A criminal record is not an automatic disqualifier for employment.
This is promising, so let’s continue reading to see how to get a job at The Cheesecake Factory with a felony.
Has The Cheesecake Factory hired felons in the past?
From online responses, it looks like they do! However, it may depend on the particular location and how severe the crime.
So, come on! Let’s look at what else we found out about how to get hired at The Cheesecake Factory.
Does The Cheesecake Factory hire people with misdemeanors?
People with misdemeanors have a hard time finding a job, too. When researching, we looked for an answer to this specific question as well. Unfortunately, nothing touched on this.
Our recommendation would be that you put your best foot forward and apply anyway! Remember, it appears that they have hired felons, so they’d likely also hire someone with a lesser charge.
Is The Cheesecake Factory on the Ban the Box list?
Most former felons cringe when they have to answer questions about previous convictions on applications. We all know this is the most dreaded part of any application! However, did you know that there are groups out there urging employers to remove all these questions from their applications? Yes! This is the main focus of the Ban the Box campaign. By having companies agree to remove the questions, it forces the company to look at the applicants’ experience and skills, not their criminal past.
The Cheesecake Factory doesn’t support Ban the Box. But by taking a look at their application, we can tell you that they don’t ask about previous convictions on their application. This is definitely good news!
There is also an oath that companies take, voluntarily, agreeing to practice fair hiring for everyone — including former felons. This is known as The Fair Chance Business Pledge.
You may be wondering: Does The Cheesecake Factory have to support these initiatives to hire a felon? Does this mean you can’t get a job at The Cheesecake Factory with a felony? Absolutely not! While supporting these initiatives is always a plus, it’s not required to hiring a felon. Besides we know they support hiring felons anyway.
So let’s keep reading to see what we found about how to get hired at The Cheesecake Factory with a felony.
Does The Cheesecake Factory have special programs for hiring felons?
No, The Cheesecake Factory doesn’t have any of these programs to offer.
What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?
We believe the odds of getting hired at the Cheesecake Factory with a felony are high. Why? All the information we were provided and uncovered in our research supports they are willing to hire someone with a criminal history. Online sources told us that they have previously hired felons. This is always wonderful news!
What are some entry-level jobs?
There are several entry-level jobs that The Cheesecake Factory has to offer. Here are a few and their requirements:
- Host — You will be meeting and greeting guests, so you must have great customer service and interpersonal skills in person and over the phone. Long hours of standing.
- Server — One year of previous experience preferred but not required. They do ask for excellent communication, interpersonal and basic math skills.
- Dishwasher — This position requires working in a wet, confined area with elevated temperatures. You must be able to lift up to 50 pounds on occasion.
- Line Cook — Six months’ experience is preferred, but not required. Must have knowledge of weights, measurements and volume cooking procedures.
All of the positions mentioned above offer both part- and full-time positions. That being said, be sure to look at their job listings for your location because these are not all the positions they have to offer.
How to get hired at The Cheesecake Factory with a felony
The Cheesecake Factory is a company that thrives off customer service. Here are a few things you might want to keep in mind when applying:
Application
We noticed that some of the locations provide the option to text to apply. Wow! We were able to get a sneak peek at the application by filling one out. The information that you will need to have ready will be basic information, such as: personal information and previous employer contact information.
The Cheesecake Factory makes you aware that there will be a questionnaire and assessment process to do. We assume that this would be sent to you after they have received your application. More than likely it will be questions geared to see how you will interact and respond in certain situations that involve customers and co-workers. So take your time and answer wisely.
Resume
Although The Cheesecake Factory doesn’t request a resume, we still suggest you have one ready. Most people are scared of the resume. Don’t be! We’re here to help in that area as well. We have an entire section dedicated to assisting you in smoothing out your resume. So be sure to give it a once-over.
Interview
The final step will be the interview. When interviewing with The Cheesecake Factory, we recommend you remove all piercings and cover your tattoos. Some companies that deal with the public frown on these, so make sure to ask about their policy at the end of the interview. Make sure you’re upbeat and letting your personality shine through. This is always a plus for a job in the customer service field. You’ll want to demonstrate how you interact with customers.
Does The Cheesecake Factory do background checks?
The Cheesecake Factory told us that they don’t require a background check for hourly employees. This is fabulous news! We also took a look at their website to get further insight and this is what we learned:
“It is The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated’s policy that all offers may be subject to criminal background checks depending upon state and local guidelines, and all applicants being hired into jobs are subject to an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment.”
Although, if you’re applying for a salary position, this more than likely means you will be subjected to a background check. We suggest that you make them aware of any convictions during the interview if the position you are applying for is not an entry-level job.
Something to keep in mind regarding background checks:
There are now twelve states that will look at your record only if it’s less than seven years old. Here is a list of those states:
- California
- Colorado
- Indiana (limited check)
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Texas
- Washington
There are states that see only guilty convictions. They are as follows:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Indiana (limited check)
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
Unfortunately, the majority of states will still look at everything. Those states include:
- 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
What we found on glassdoor.com was that The Cheesecake Factory has decent ratings. They got 3.6 out of 5 stars. This is actually a pretty high score for a restaurant position!
Makes sense, based on the feedback. They offer health benefits for employees working a minimum of 25 hours per week and they also provide employee discounts. Wow!
However, with the good there is always the bad. Their jobs will require long hours on your feet and it can be a bit hectic and stressful at times.
What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?
The Cheesecake Factory is a family-friendly restaurant, so any violent convictions or sexual offenses will have a tough time getting hired here for any position (but especially management).
These salary positions will probably require you to handle large amounts of money and other employee information, so any theft, identity theft or embezzlement charge may make it hard for you.
Does The Cheesecake Factory drug test?
We didn’t find a simple answer to this question. Our advice? Always be prepared for a drug screen when you are seeking a new job.
Have you applied for a job or worked here? Share your experiences!
Do you or someone you know have experience working at The Cheesecake Factory with a felony? Did you find our article to be informative and helpful? We appreciate feedback!
