The Fresh Market: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

The Fresh Market was founded on March 5, 1982, by Ray and Beverly Berry in Greensboro, North Carolina, with the first store opening in a former Bi-Rite grocery location. The Berrys built the concept around bringing the feeling of open, European-style markets to American grocery shopping, emphasizing fresh, high-quality food presented in an inviting, upscale in-store atmosphere. The company remains headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Fresh Market grew over the following decades into a chain of more than 150 to 300 stores across two dozen states, expanding into markets in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and briefly into California before scaling back some West Coast operations. The company went public on the Nasdaq exchange in 2010 before later returning to private ownership. In 2016, The Fresh Market was acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, and the company is now owned by Cencosud, a major Chilean multinational retail company. The Fresh Market has been recognized by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards as a top grocery store in several categories.

The Fresh Market's business centers on specialty and gourmet grocery offerings, including a butcher shop, fish market, in-house bakery, and coffee service, differentiating it from conventional supermarkets. The company's workforce includes department specialists such as butchers, bakers, and cheese experts, along with cashiers, stock associates, and store managers, employing more than 10,000 to 13,000 people across its store network.

Company culture and employee programs: The Fresh Market emphasizes a premium, curated shopping experience and a commitment to sourcing unique, high-quality food products. The company positions its in-store ambiance and knowledgeable department staff as central to its brand differentiation from larger conventional grocery chains. 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 specialty grocery retail industry, including The Fresh Market, 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.

The Fresh Market is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for grocery retailers, particularly for roles involving cash handling and food preparation.

The hiring process for store-level positions at The Fresh Market typically includes an application, an interview with a department 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 specialty grocery 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 The Fresh Market 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 The Fresh Market 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.