Buffalo Wild Wings: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

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Buffalo Wild Wings: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Buffalo Wild Wings is one of the most recognized casual dining and sports bar chains in the United States, with more than 1,300 locations employing servers, bartenders, cooks, hosts, and management staff across the country. For job seekers researching Buffalo Wild Wings careers or submitting a Buffalo Wild Wings application online, understanding what to expect from the hiring process is important, including whether the company conducts background screening. Below, we cover Buffalo Wild Wings's history and operations, and straightforward answers to the most-searched questions about the Buffalo Wild Wings background check process.

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Buffalo Wild Wings: Company overview

Buffalo Wild Wings was founded in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio, originally under the name Buffalo Wild Wings and Weck. The concept centered on serving Buffalo-style chicken wings alongside beer in a casual, sports-focused environment. The chain grew steadily through the 1990s and 2000s, expanding its footprint across the United States through a mix of corporate-owned and franchised locations.

Today, Buffalo Wild Wings operates more than 1,300 locations in the United States and internationally. The brand is owned by Inspire Brands, a multi-concept restaurant company that also owns Arby's, Sonic Drive-In, Dunkin', and several other chains. Inspire Brands acquired Buffalo Wild Wings in 2018 as part of its portfolio expansion strategy.

The business model combines a full-service casual dining experience with a sports bar atmosphere, featuring large screens, live sports programming, and an extensive menu built around wings, burgers, and beverages. The company employs a broad range of hourly and management positions, making it a common destination for entry-level and experienced restaurant workers alike. Buffalo Wild Wings hiring near me searches reflect strong ongoing demand for staff at local franchise and corporate locations.

Company culture and employee programs: Buffalo Wild Wings positions itself as a team-oriented workplace within the restaurant industry. The company offers benefits that vary by employment classification and location, including flexible scheduling for hourly workers, meal discounts, and opportunities to advance into shift lead and management roles. Full-time employees at corporate-owned locations may have access to health and wellness benefits. Specific benefits packages are determined at the location level and may differ between corporate and franchised restaurants.

Buffalo Wild Wings background check FAQs

Does Buffalo Wild Wings do background checks?

Yes, Buffalo Wild Wings does conduct background checks. The company screens candidates for most positions, including servers, bartenders, cooks, hosts, and management roles. The scope of the background check may vary depending on the position and the location, but background screening is a standard component of the Buffalo Wild Wings hiring process for the majority of roles.

How long can a Buffalo Wild Wings background check take?

A Buffalo Wild Wings background check typically takes three to five business days to complete. In many cases, results are returned sooner, but certain factors can extend the timeline. For more detail on what affects screening timelines, see background check turnaround times.

Factors that may extend a background check timeline include:

Delays in court record retrieval, particularly in jurisdictions that require manual searches
Discrepancies between the information provided by the candidate and records on file
Verification of employment history at employers that have slow response times or require third-party verification services
Multi-state or multi-county criminal searches that require sequential record requests
High screening volume during peak hiring periods

What can be revealed in a Buffalo Wild Wings background check?

A background check requested by Buffalo Wild Wings may include several categories of records, depending on the role and location. Common components include:

Identity verification and criminal history: A SSN trace is typically used to confirm identity and establish address history, which informs where county and state criminal record searches are conducted. Results may also include searches of the sex-offender registry and global watchlists, which screen for individuals on federal and international sanctions or watch lists.
Criminal records: County, state, and federal criminal history searches may reveal felony or misdemeanor convictions, pending charges, or other criminal records within the applicable lookback period.
Employment verification: Buffalo Wild Wings may verify previous employment history, including job titles, dates of employment, and eligibility for rehire. This is particularly relevant for candidates applying to management positions or roles requiring prior food service experience.
Alcohol-related checks for bartending roles: Candidates applying for bartender or other alcohol-serving positions may be subject to additional review relevant to their ability to legally serve alcohol. State licensing requirements for alcohol service vary, and some locations may require candidates to obtain a server permit or complete responsible beverage service training as part of onboarding.

How far back can Buffalo Wild Wings's background check go?

In most cases, a Buffalo Wild Wings background check covers the past seven years of criminal history. This seven-year lookback period is a common standard under the FCRA and many state laws. However, the actual lookback period can vary based on several factors:

The state where the position is located, as some states impose stricter limits on how far back employers can look
The nature of the role, with management or higher-responsibility positions sometimes subject to broader searches
Whether a conviction involved a sentence of more than one year, which may allow reporting beyond the standard seven-year window in some jurisdictions
State-specific "ban-the-box" laws, which may also restrict when in the hiring process an employer can inquire about criminal history

Candidates should review the laws in their specific state for the most accurate information on applicable lookback periods.

What is the FCRA and how does it protect candidates?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how background checks are conducted and used in employment decisions. It establishes rights for candidates and obligations for employers who use consumer reports, including background check reports, in the hiring process.

Under the FCRA, employers conducting background checks must:

Provide a clear, standalone written disclosure to the candidate informing them that a background check will be conducted
Obtain the candidate's written consent before requesting the report
Provide the candidate with a copy of the report and a summary of their rights if the employer intends to take adverse action based on the report's findings
Allow the candidate a reasonable period to review the report and dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information before a final adverse decision is made
Send a final adverse action notice if the employer ultimately decides not to hire the candidate based on the background check

These protections apply regardless of the employer or the type of position being applied for.

Does Buffalo Wild Wings drug test?

Drug testing practices at Buffalo Wild Wings can vary by location, ownership structure (corporate vs. franchise), and the specific role. Some locations include a drug screening as part of the pre-employment process, while others do not. Candidates applying for management positions may be more likely to encounter drug testing requirements. The best way to determine whether a specific location conducts drug testing is to ask during the interview or at the time the offer is extended.

What is the Buffalo Wild Wings hiring process?

The Buffalo Wild Wings hiring process generally follows these steps:

Application: Candidates submit a Buffalo Wild Wings application online through the company's careers page or a job listing platform, or apply in person at a location.
Application review: A hiring manager or recruiter reviews submitted applications and identifies candidates who meet the qualifications for the role.
Phone or online screen: Some locations conduct a brief phone or digital screening to confirm availability, confirm interest, and ask preliminary questions.
Interview: Qualified candidates are invited for an in-person interview with a manager at the location. The format may be a one-on-one or a group interview, depending on hiring volume.
Contingent offer: Candidates selected after the interview receive a conditional offer of employment.
Consent form and background check: The candidate provides written consent, and the employer initiates the background check through a third-party CRA.
Drug test (if applicable): Depending on the location and role, candidates may be asked to complete a drug screening before their start date.
Orientation: Once the background check is cleared and all pre-employment steps are complete, the candidate is onboarded and attends an orientation or training session.

Buffalo Wild Wings application status updates may be communicated by the hiring manager directly, or candidates may be able to check status through the platform where they originally applied.

How do you know if you passed your Buffalo Wild Wings background check?

In most cases, if a Buffalo Wild Wings background check returns clear results with no issues that affect the hiring decision, the employer will simply proceed with the next step in the process, such as scheduling orientation or a start date. Candidates typically receive communication from the hiring manager or HR contact at the location when the check has cleared.

If a background check reveals information that may affect the hiring decision, the FCRA requires the employer to follow a specific adverse action process before making a final decision. This includes providing the candidate with a pre-adverse action notice, a copy of the report, and a summary of FCRA rights. The candidate then has an opportunity to review the findings and dispute any inaccuracies before the employer takes final action.

If you have not received an update after several business days following your background check consent, it is reasonable to follow up directly with the hiring manager or location contact.

Order your own background check

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview the types of information that Buffalo Wild Wings may see when screening your application. Reviewing your own report before applying or accepting an offer can help you identify any records that may need clarification and prepare you to address questions during the hiring process.

A personal background check through Checkr can include:

Criminal history searches, including a SSN trace to verify identity and address history, searches of the sex-offender registry, and global watchlists for sanctions and watch list records
Employment verification, confirming the accuracy of your stated work history, which is relevant for Buffalo Wild Wings roles that require prior food service or hospitality experience

To run your own background check, visit:

Are you a candidate with an open background check with Checkr?

If Buffalo Wild Wings is using Checkr to process your background check and you have questions about the status of your report or need to submit a dispute, log in to the Candidate Portal or visit the Checkr Help Center for candidate-specific 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.