Tierra Mia Coffee: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Tierra Mia Coffee was founded in 2008 by Ulysses Romero, a Stanford MBA graduate and son of a Mexican immigrant who co-founded a tortilla factory. Romero set out to build a specialty coffee business that would specifically cater to and reflect Hispanic culture, opening the first Tierra Mia coffeehouse in March 2008 in South Gate, California, a working-class, industrial city near Los Angeles. The concept blended an upscale café aesthetic, including leather couches and granite counters, with Latin cultural touches such as wrought-iron fixtures, coffee farm photography, and a soundtrack featuring rock en español.

Tierra Mia expanded steadily from its original South Gate location, opening a second shop in Huntington Park in 2010, followed by locations in Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera (its first drive-thru), and Downtown Los Angeles. The company built a loyal following for its fusion drinks combining traditional Mexican flavors, such as horchata and café de olla, with espresso-based beverages. Tierra Mia transitioned from sourcing beans through outside roasters like Intelligentsia and Stumptown to roasting its own coffee in-house, giving it greater control over flavor profiles tailored to its Latin-inspired menu.

The company has continued to expand over the years, opening locations in Northern California and, more recently, into San Diego County, drawing large crowds at store openings. Tierra Mia remains a privately held company headquartered in the Los Angeles area, with founder Ulysses Romero continuing to serve as president. The company's workforce includes baristas, roastery staff, and store managers supporting its café and drive-thru locations.

Company culture and employee programs: Tierra Mia Coffee emphasizes community connection and cultural identity as central to its brand, positioning its cafes as gathering places in the working-class neighborhoods it originally served. The company has grown organically from a single shop into a recognizable regional chain while maintaining its founding focus on Latin-inspired specialty coffee. 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 coffee and café industry, including Tierra Mia Coffee, 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.

Tierra Mia Coffee is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, consistent with standard practice for cafe and quick-service retail employers handling cash transactions.

The hiring process for barista and store-level positions at Tierra Mia Coffee typically includes an application, an interview with a store or shift 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 cafe or specialty coffee role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though California state law may impose additional restrictions on how far back employers can consider certain records.

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. California has adopted "ban-the-box" laws and additional fair chance hiring requirements that restrict when and how employers can consider 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 Tierra Mia Coffee 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 Tierra Mia Coffee 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.