Harkins Theatres: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Harkins Theatres was founded in 1933 by Dwight "Red" Harkins, a showman, inventor, and community leader who opened the State Theatre in Tempe, Arizona, in a building originally constructed as the Goodwin Opera House in 1907. Harkins continued expanding through the following decades, building an outdoor theater in Tempe Beach Park in 1934 and the College Theater (later known as Harkins Valley Art) in 1940. The last theater Red Harkins personally opened was the Camelview 5 in 1973, which was later replaced by a larger 14-theater complex in Scottsdale Fashion Square mall.

Dwight Harkins died in 1974, leaving the company to his wife, Viola, and passing leadership eventually to the next generation of the Harkins family, including current chairman Dan Harkins. The company remains headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and operates as a subsidiary of the privately held Harkins Enterprises, LLC. Harkins has been a trailblazer in movie exhibition innovations, introducing amenities such as the Ciné Capri format, curved wall-to-wall screens, Ultimate Lounger recliner seating, and expanded gourmet concessions well ahead of many national chains.

Today, Harkins Theatres employs approximately 3,000 to 3,500 people and remains the premier movie exhibitor across the Western United States, marketing its brand around the "Ultimate Moviegoing" experience. The company's workforce includes concession and box office staff, projectionists, ushers, and theater managers supporting its large-format cinema locations.

Company culture and employee programs: Harkins emphasizes its multi-generational family ownership and community connection as central to its brand identity, positioning itself as a local, independently owned alternative to larger national theater chains. The company has built a reputation for innovation in the moviegoing experience while maintaining its founding family's hands-on involvement. 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 movie theater and entertainment industry, including Harkins Theatres, 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.

Harkins Theatres is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for movie theater and entertainment venue employers, particularly for roles involving cash handling and customer service in a public venue setting.

The hiring process for theater-level positions at Harkins typically includes an application, an interview with a theater 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 movie theater 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, 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 Harkins Theatres 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 Harkins Theatres 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.