Bonefish Grill: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Bonefish Grill was founded in January 2000 in St. Petersburg, Florida, by Tim Curci and Chris Parker, and it is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Bloomin' Brands acquired the chain in 2001, and the Bonefish Grill careers site refers to Bloomin' Brands as its parent company. The restaurants are known for seafood, with a menu built around wood-grilled fish and rotating seasonal dishes.

Bonefish Grill restaurants are typically open for dinner, with lunch service tested in some markets. The careers site says the company is hiring for hourly and management positions, and it refers to its team members as Anglers. Because the brand sits inside a larger restaurant group, the careers site also notes that team members can receive discounted food from the parent company's other restaurant concepts.

Hourly positions listed on the careers site include server, bartender, host, to-go specialist, line cook and prep cook, and dishwasher. Management positions include managing partner, culinary manager, restaurant manager, and assistant culinary manager. Restaurants that serve alcohol and process card payments tend to involve guest-facing, cash-handling, and age-restricted duties, which can shape how a role is screened.

Company culture and employee programs:

The Bonefish Grill careers site lists the values honesty, respect, hospitality, balance, quality, and fun. It highlights flexible scheduling, an inclusive culture, career advancement, and benefits for both hourly and management teams. Pay, schedules, and benefits may vary by role, restaurant, and local law, so candidates are encouraged to confirm specifics during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the restaurant and casual dining industry, including Bonefish Grill, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks, provided they follow applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires disclosure and written consent when a screening company prepares the report, and it sets out adverse action steps. Some states and cities add their own limits on how criminal history may be used.

Bonefish Grill is generally reported to conduct background checks for at least some roles, though the scope may vary by position and location. This is consistent with common practice in casual dining, where staff handle payments, serve alcohol, and work closely with guests. Management candidates may see a broader set of searches than hourly team members.

The Bonefish Grill hiring process typically begins with an online application through the careers site, followed by an interview with a restaurant manager. Candidates who receive a conditional offer are usually asked to consent to a background check before starting. Training and onboarding follow once pre-employment requirements are complete. Management roles such as managing partner or culinary manager may include more interview rounds.

Many employment background checks return within a few business days, but the timeline depends on which searches are ordered. Court record searches across several counties or states can take longer. For typical timelines, see background check turnaround times. Accurate name, date of birth, and address history on the first submission helps avoid delays.

A Bonefish Grill background check may include some or all of the following, depending on the role and location:

Candidates should read the disclosure and consent forms they receive to see which searches apply to their role.

Some Bonefish Grill roles may require a drug test, but requirements typically vary by position, location, and applicable law. Restaurant employers sometimes test for kitchen and management roles that involve safety-sensitive duties. Candidates should check the job posting and any conditional offer paperwork to see what applies to the role they are pursuing.

The lookback period for a background check depends on the type of search and the laws of the state or country where the candidate lives or worked. In the United States, the FCRA generally limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting most negative information older than seven years, with certain exceptions for higher-salary positions and specific record types such as convictions. Some states have stricter limits. Candidates with records in multiple jurisdictions may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

Bonefish Grill's decisions about candidates with criminal records are typically made case by case, as is common in restaurant hiring. Factors that may matter include the type of offense, how much time has passed, and the duties of the role, such as handling payments or serving alcohol. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history. Candidates should answer application questions honestly and be ready to discuss their background.

Candidates will typically be asked for written consent and basic personal details before a Bonefish Grill background check begins. That usually includes a full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number for US-based applicants, and address history. Accurate information helps searches run in the right jurisdictions and can prevent delays.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent before running a background check, provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, and allow the candidate an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made. For a detailed overview of how the FCRA applies to background checks, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Server and bartender applicants at Bonefish Grill typically follow the same consent and screening steps as other team members, though local alcohol rules may add requirements. Because these roles serve alcohol and handle payments, state and local rules may set a minimum age or call for an alcohol server permit. Candidates should check the requirements where they live and review the disclosure forms they receive during hiring.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Bonefish Grill may see and help 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.