B&B Theatres: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

B&B Theatres traces its story to 1924, when Elmer Bills, Sr. founded Bills Theaters in Salisbury, Missouri, after purchasing the Lyric Theater, where his future wife played piano for silent films. A second family enterprise began when Sterling Bagby, who started working for Bills as a concession clerk at age 10, launched the Bagby Traveling Picture Show with his wife Pauline after World War II, eventually building a Kansas circuit of drive-ins and indoor theaters. The two families formally merged their companies on January 1, 1980, creating B&B (Bills and Bagby) Theatres, a union cemented by the marriage of Bob Bagby and Bridget Bills the year before.

Today B&B Theatres is headquartered in Liberty, Missouri, with additional offices in Salisbury and Fulton, Missouri, and remains family-owned and operated. The company has been described as the fifth-largest theater chain in the United States, operating more than 500 screens at over 50 locations across more than a dozen states, including Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, and Washington. Growth has come through new construction, remodels, and acquisitions, including the 2014 purchase of Dickinson Theatres of Overland Park, Kansas.

B&B is known for investing in premium moviegoing experiences, introducing its Grand Screen premium large format auditoriums and Marquee Suites dine-in concept in 2010, along with modern digital projection across the circuit. Theater teams include box office and concession staff, ushers, bartenders and servers at dine-in locations, projection and facilities staff, shift supervisors, and general managers, supported by a corporate office team.

Company culture and employee programs: As a multigenerational family business, B&B emphasizes hospitality and a community feel at its theaters. Many entry-level roles are part-time and popular with students and first-time job seekers, and staffing typically expands around blockbuster seasons and holidays. Perks, benefits, and scheduling vary by location and role, so candidates should confirm current details, such as movie privileges and advancement opportunities, with the hiring theater.

Yes. Employers in the movie theater and entertainment industry, including B&B Theatres, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they follow applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, background checks prepared by a consumer reporting agency are governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires disclosure, written consent, and specific adverse action steps before results can be used in a hiring decision.

B&B Theatres is generally reported to conduct background checks for at least some positions, which is consistent with common practice among theater chains. Screening tends to be more likely for roles that involve handling cash, serving alcohol at dine-in locations, supervising staff, or managing a theater. Because practices can vary by location and role, candidates should review the disclosure forms provided during the hiring process to understand what applies to their specific position.

Hiring steps vary by theater, but the process typically starts with an online application through the company's careers page or a job board. Candidates who move forward are usually invited to an in-person interview with a manager at the theater. Entry-level hiring can move quickly, especially before busy movie seasons. Candidates who receive a conditional offer may be asked to consent to a background check before a start date is confirmed, followed by onboarding and on-the-job training.

Many background checks are completed within a few business days, though the timeline depends on which searches are ordered and how quickly courts respond. Reports involving county criminal record searches in multiple jurisdictions can take longer. Candidates who want to understand what affects timing can review this guide to background check turnaround times.

Employers decide which screenings fit each role. For a position at a movie theater chain like B&B Theatres, a background check may include some or all of the following:

The consent paperwork provided during hiring will identify which searches apply to a specific role.

Lookback periods depend on the type of record and the laws of the state where the candidate lives or works. Under the FCRA, most negative information other than convictions generally cannot be reported once it is more than seven years old, and some states extend that seven-year cap to conviction records as well. Exceptions exist for certain higher-paying positions. Because B&B operates in many states, candidates in different locations may see different lookback rules applied.

B&B Theatres does not publish a detailed public policy on hiring candidates with felony records, and decisions are typically made on a case-by-case basis. Employers often consider the nature and age of an offense and its relevance to the role, such as cash handling or alcohol service. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when criminal history can be discussed in the hiring process. Candidates with records are generally encouraged to apply and to answer any application questions honestly.

If a background check is required, candidates will typically be asked to sign a written authorization first and to provide accurate personal information, including full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history. Since many theater roles are open to younger workers, age requirements vary by position, particularly for roles involving alcohol service, and screening steps may differ accordingly. Accurate information helps prevent delays and mismatched records.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Employers must obtain a candidate's written consent before running a background check, must provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights before taking adverse action based on the results, and must give candidates a chance to dispute inaccurate information. To learn more, read this introduction to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and EEOC guidance.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what B&B Theatres may see and helps you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters, hiring managers, or potential employers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.