ABC Fine Wine & Spirits: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits was founded in 1936 by Jack Holloway, who opened Jack's Friendly Neighborhood Bar at the corner of North Orange Avenue and Wall Street in downtown Orlando, Florida, shortly after the end of Prohibition. In 1950, Holloway renamed the business ABC Liquors, reportedly to ensure it would appear first in phone book listings, and the name later evolved into ABC Fine Wine & Spirits to reflect a broader retail focus beyond just liquor sales. The company remains headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and has been owned by the Bailes family since Charles Bailes Jr. joined the business generations ago, with his descendants continuing to lead the company today.

Over nearly 90 years, ABC has grown from a handful of stores to operate more than 120 to 130 locations spanning the Florida Panhandle to Miami. In the 1980s and 1990s, under Charles Bailes III's leadership, the company phased out its historic bars and lounges, which had been a feature of many early ABC locations, and focused instead on the modern retail shopping experience the brand offers today. ABC is not affiliated with any state-run Alcoholic Beverage Control agency, despite the similarity in name.

ABC's workforce includes retail sales associates who assist customers with wine, spirits, and cigar selections, cashiers, and store managers. Because the company sells age-restricted alcohol and tobacco products, age verification and compliance with state alcohol regulations are important parts of many roles.

Company culture and employee programs: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits emphasizes its long family ownership history and community involvement, supporting organizations such as the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and other Florida-based charitable causes. The company positions its brand around the tagline "Always Be Celebrating," reflecting its focus on customer experience and product selection. Benefits, scheduling, and advancement opportunities can vary by location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the alcohol retail industry, including ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

ABC Fine Wine & Spirits is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for retailers selling alcohol and tobacco products, given state licensing and compliance requirements tied to age-restricted product sales.

The hiring process for store-level positions at ABC typically includes an application, an interview with a store manager, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for an alcohol retail role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though Florida state law and alcohol licensing requirements may involve additional considerations for certain positions.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role, particularly given state regulations around who may be employed in alcohol sales in some jurisdictions. Florida has adopted certain "ban-the-box" laws at the local level that may restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what ABC Fine Wine & Spirits may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to ABC Fine Wine & Spirits or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.