Ole Times Country Buffet: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Ole Times Country Buffet was founded by Pat O'Neal of Valdosta, Georgia, along with a since-deceased business partner. O'Neal, who had previously worked in the nightclub and produce industries, opened the first Ole Times Country Buffet location in Douglas, Georgia, in a building that had formerly housed a Golden Corral restaurant. The chain grew steadily across South Georgia and into North Florida, eventually operating more than a dozen locations under O'Neal's ownership, often taking over buildings vacated by other buffet-style restaurant chains such as Ryan's.

Ole Times Country Buffet operates as a small regional chain rather than a large national franchise, with growth driven by O'Neal personally opening new locations and investing in kitchen equipment and renovations for each site. In at least one case, in Albany, Georgia, a longtime manager, B.J. Fletcher, purchased a significant stake in her location after managing it for more than nine years, subsequently rebranding it as BJ's Country Buffet while retaining a business relationship with O'Neal. Some Ole Times Country Buffet locations have closed over time, and Better Business Bureau records indicate that certain individual locations are no longer operating, reflecting the natural turnover common among small regional restaurant chains.

Ole Times Country Buffet's workforce includes buffet line and kitchen staff who prepare and replenish food offerings, servers and cashiers, and location managers overseeing day-to-day restaurant operations. New location openings have historically created dozens of local jobs, with hiring often prioritizing experienced staff from previously operating restaurants at the same site.

Company culture and employee programs: Ole Times Country Buffet emphasizes a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere and a commitment to replicating home-cooked Southern flavors. As a smaller regional chain, the company's culture and operations are shaped by close, hands-on ownership involvement across its locations. Benefits, scheduling, and advancement opportunities can vary by specific location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a location manager during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the restaurant and buffet dining industry, including Ole Times Country Buffet, 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.

Ole Times Country Buffet is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for restaurant employers, particularly for roles involving cash handling and food preparation.

The hiring process for kitchen and dining room staff positions at Ole Times Country Buffet typically includes an application, an interview with a location 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 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, 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.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Ole Times Country Buffet 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 Ole Times Country Buffet 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.