Waffle House: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Waffle House was founded on Labor Day, September 5, 1955, by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner in Avondale Estates, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. The two men invested $2,500 each to open the first location, which featured a menu built around waffles, eggs, and coffee served at any hour. From that single restaurant, the chain expanded steadily across the American South and into the broader Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Today, Waffle House operates more than 2,000 locations across 25 states, employing approximately 30,000 associates, and remains a privately held company headquartered in Norcross, Georgia.

Waffle House is known for operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year - a policy the chain has maintained since its founding. The company's commitment to staying open through hurricanes, snowstorms, and other emergencies has become so well known that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) informally uses the "Waffle House Index" as a gauge of disaster severity: if Waffle House is closed, conditions are considered serious. The chain serves an estimated 80,000 waffles per day and is one of the largest purchasers of pork in the United States.

The company remains family-connected and privately held, with leadership descending from its founding families. Walt Ehmer served as President and CEO from 2012 until his death in September 2024. Joe Rogers III succeeded him as CEO. Waffle House does not offer public franchise opportunities - the chain operates as a primarily company-owned system, which means all associates are direct Waffle House hires.

Company culture and employee programs:

Waffle House places significant emphasis on promoting from within. The company's management development program is designed to bring hourly crew members through the ranks to unit management and beyond, and a large share of its district and division managers began as servers or grill operators. Benefits for eligible employees include health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), through which associates can accumulate an ownership stake in the company over time.

Yes. Waffle House conducts background checks as part of its standard pre-employment process. After extending a conditional offer, the company can request a background report through a third-party consumer reporting agency (CRA). Candidates must provide written consent before any report is ordered. Given that Waffle House locations operate overnight and employees regularly interact with the public and handle cash, background screening is a consistent part of the hiring process.

Most employment background checks can be completed in three to five business days, though timing varies based on the screenings ordered and the accessibility of records. Common factors that extend timelines include:

See Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times for more detail on what affects the process.

A background check report for a Waffle House position may include:

Look-back periods depend on state law, the type of record, and the position. For most criminal record searches, employers commonly focus on the past seven years, which reflects FCRA guidelines and many state laws. Some states impose shorter windows or limit which records employers may consider. Candidates should review applicable "ban-the-box" laws in their state to understand what local protections may apply.

Drug testing policies may vary by location and applicable state law. Some Waffle House locations conduct pre-employment drug screening as part of the hiring process. Candidates are generally informed at the time of the offer whether a drug test is required for their specific role and location.

Waffle House employment verification in the context of pre-employment screening is the process by which a third-party CRA confirms the employment history a candidate has provided on their application. Prior employers are contacted to verify job titles, employment dates, and other relevant details. If you are a former Waffle House employee and need employment verification for a new employer or a loan application, the process typically goes through a third-party employment verification service or through Waffle House's HR department directly.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect and report background information and how employers may use it. Under the FCRA, Waffle House must:

EEOC guidance also recommends that employers conduct an individualized assessment that considers the nature of any offense, how much time has passed, and whether the offense is directly relevant to the job duties involved.

The Waffle House hiring process for most restaurant positions follows a sequence similar to this:

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Waffle House may see and identify any inaccuracies before they become an issue during the hiring process. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively to recruiters or hiring managers, build a free Checkr Profile.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.