Taco Mac: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Taco Mac was founded in 1979 when a couple of friends from Buffalo, New York, made a pit stop in Atlanta on their way to Florida and decided to stay, opening a restaurant to bring their favorite food, Buffalo wings, to the South. The original location opened in a former taco stand at 1006 North Highland Avenue in Atlanta's Virginia Highlands neighborhood; with limited remaining funds after renovating the kitchen, the owners left the existing "Taco Mac" sign unchanged rather than replacing it, giving the wing-focused restaurant its now-iconic, unrelated name. As Buffalo-style wings grew in popularity, cold beer and sports viewing became natural companions to the concept.

In 2000, Bob Campbell, Joe Ardagna, and Greg Wakeham established Tappan Street Restaurant Group to formally expand the Taco Mac brand, eventually growing the chain to roughly 25 locations across three states. In 2012, Dallas-based private equity firm CIC Partners partnered with Tappan Street management to recapitalize and support further growth, before acquiring the company outright by late 2014. In March 2018, CIC Partners sold Taco Mac to a team of independent investors led by Harold Martin Jr., a longtime Atlanta resident and Taco Mac guest, along with partners from Fresh Hospitality; Martin became the chain's CEO, and the company's headquarters remained in Atlanta, honoring the brand's local heritage.

Taco Mac has continued to operate as a regional sports bar chain emphasizing local craft beer education, award-winning wings, and a family-friendly sports-viewing environment. The company's workforce includes servers and bartenders, kitchen staff, and restaurant managers supporting its full-service sports bar locations across the Southeast.

Company culture and employee programs: Taco Mac's current ownership has emphasized a commitment to the brand's authentic Atlanta roots and long-term, community-oriented ownership, distinguishing the chain from more distant private equity ownership models. The company positions itself as an enduring local institution offering quality food, craft beer, and a welcoming atmosphere. 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 restaurant and sports bar industry, including Taco Mac, 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.

Taco Mac is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for restaurant and bar employers, particularly given the combination of alcohol service and cash handling involved in the business.

The hiring process for server, bartender, and kitchen staff positions at Taco Mac typically includes an application, an interview with a restaurant manager, and a background check prior to a final offer. Roles involving alcohol service may require completion of responsible beverage service training.

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 sports bar and 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, particularly for positions involving alcohol service. 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 Taco Mac 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 Taco Mac 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.