Cold Stone Creamery: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Cold Stone Creamery was founded in 1988 by Donald and Susan Sutherland, who opened the first location in Tempe, Arizona, after searching for an ice cream concept that was neither hard-packed nor soft-serve. The brand's signature approach involves mixing candies, nuts, brownies, and other ingredients into freshly made ice cream on a frozen granite stone, customized to each customer's order. The company grew steadily through the 1990s and 2000s, becoming one of the fastest-growing franchises in the United States according to industry publications. Cold Stone Creamery is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.

In May 2007, Cold Stone Creamery merged with Kahala Corp to form a combined franchising company that eventually became part of Kahala Brands, and later MTY Food Group. Today, Cold Stone Creamery operates well over 1,000 locations across the United States and dozens of other countries, including Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, where its first location opened in 2023. The brand has also pursued co-branding partnerships with other food chains over the years to diversify its business model beyond the traditionally seasonal ice cream category.

Cold Stone Creamery's workforce consists primarily of franchise-level crew members who prepare ice cream creations, operate cash registers, and maintain store cleanliness and food safety standards. Because nearly all locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees, hiring and screening practices are generally managed at the local store level.

Company culture and employee programs: Cold Stone Creamery describes its brand experience as "The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience," built around a community of franchisees passionate about their product. Because the company operates almost entirely through franchising, workplace culture, benefits, and scheduling can vary considerably from one location to another. Candidates should confirm specifics with the franchise owner or manager at the location where they are applying.

Yes. Employers in the quick-service and franchise restaurant industry, including Cold Stone Creamery locations, 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.

Cold Stone Creamery is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for quick-service restaurant franchises. Because nearly all locations are independently owned franchises, specific screening requirements and vendors can vary by location.

The hiring process for crew-level positions at Cold Stone Creamery typically includes an application, a brief interview with the franchise owner or 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 a quick-service restaurant role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the type of record and jurisdiction.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis by the individual franchise owner, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that 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.

What if I disagree with something in my background check?

Under the FCRA, if you believe your background check report contains inaccurate information, you have the right to dispute it directly with the consumer reporting agency that prepared the report. The agency is generally required to investigate the dispute, typically within 30 days, and to correct or remove any information it cannot verify as accurate. If Checkr conducted the background check, dispute instructions are included in the notification sent to your Checkr candidate account.

Can I see a copy of my own background check report?

Yes. Under the FCRA, if a background check is used to make an adverse hiring decision, you are entitled to receive a copy of the report along with a summary of your rights under the law before the decision becomes final.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Cold Stone Creamery 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 Cold Stone Creamery 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.