Quick Answer

Yes, American Freight does hire people with felony convictions on a case-by-case basis. As a discount furniture and appliance retailer with 370+ stores across multiple states, American Freight evaluates each applicant individually. Your best opportunities are in warehouse associate, delivery driver, and sales associate positions starting at $12-17/hour. Theft charges are more challenging since you'll handle merchandise, but non-theft felonies from 3+ years ago have reasonable chances. Delivery driver positions require clean driving records in addition to acceptable criminal backgrounds.

Last Verified: October 2025

Table of Contents

1. Quick Answer

2. About American Freight

3. Does American Freight Hire People with Felonies?

4. Easiest Positions to Get

5. What to Expect: American Freight Background Check

6. How to Apply to American Freight with a Felony Record

7. Common Questions About Working at American Freight with a Felony

8. Other Furniture Retailers That Hire Felons

9. Final Thoughts

About American Freight

American Freight is a discount furniture and appliance retailer operating over 370 stores across the United States. The company sells furniture, mattresses, and appliances at below-market prices, often from overstocked or scratch-and-dent inventory.

American Freight's business model relies on warehouse-style stores, delivery teams, and sales associates. Physical work moving furniture creates regular job openings. The company needs reliable people willing to lift heavy items and work varying schedules.

For people with records, American Freight matters because they need delivery drivers and warehouse workers constantly. Furniture retail has high turnover. If you're physically capable and willing to work hard, you have opportunities here.

Does American Freight Hire People with Felonies?

Yes. American Freight's official policy is case-by-case evaluation.

Official Policy

American Freight doesn't automatically reject applicants with criminal records. Each application receives individual review. The company weighs offense type, time elapsed, and job requirements.

Real-World Practice

Warehouse workers and delivery drivers with non-theft records get hired regularly. Sales associates with older convictions (5+ years) find opportunities. American Freight needs physically capable workers willing to move furniture daily.

Store managers have discretion in hiring decisions. One store's rejection doesn't prevent trying another American Freight location.

What Affects Hiring Decisions

Type of offense: Theft is most problematic because you'll handle valuable merchandise. Violence and drugs are reviewed more leniently for warehouse and delivery work.

Time since conviction: 3+ years improves chances significantly. 5+ years is better for customer-facing sales roles.

The specific job: Warehouse and delivery are easier to get than sales positions.

Your physical capabilities: American Freight work is demanding. Demonstrate ability to lift furniture repeatedly.

Driving record: For delivery positions, clean driving history matters as much as criminal record.

Disqualifying Factors

• Recent theft or fraud (within 3 years)

• Multiple theft convictions (shows pattern)

• Poor driving record (for delivery positions)

• Sex offenses (severely limits opportunities)

• Active warrants

  
  

Time Requirements

American Freight is moderately lenient:

• 1-2 years: Possible for warehouse work with non-theft offenses

• 3-5 years: Good chances for warehouse and delivery

• 5+ years: Strong chances including sales positions

What Jobs Can Felons Get at American Freight?

Warehouse Associate

Pay: $12-15/hour

Availability: Good

Background Check: Moderate

Moving furniture and appliances in warehouse, loading delivery trucks, organizing inventory, assisting with customer pickups. Heavy physical labor.

This is your best entry point. American Freight needs warehouse workers constantly. High turnover means frequent openings. If you can lift furniture repeatedly and work hard, this is achievable.

Delivery Driver

Pay: $13-17/hour (often includes tips)

Availability: Good

Background Check: Moderate (criminal + driving)

Delivering furniture and appliances to customers' homes. Requires navigating delivery trucks, lifting heavy items, and assembling furniture at customer locations. Need valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Good opportunity with a record if your driving history is clean. Physical work with customer interaction. Tips from satisfied customers add $20-100+ weekly.

Sales Associate

Pay: $12-16/hour + commission

Availability: Moderate

Background Check: Moderate to strict

Helping customers select furniture and appliances, explaining financing options, processing sales, upselling products. Requires product knowledge and sales ability.

More difficult than warehouse or delivery due to customer interaction and payment handling. Theft charges are more problematic. However, people with non-theft felonies from 5+ years ago get hired for sales.

Sales Manager

Pay: $16-22/hour + commission

Availability: Limited

Background Check: Strict

Managing sales team, overseeing store operations, handling customer issues, meeting sales targets. Requires sales experience and leadership skills.

Not realistic entry point with a record. However, internal promotion is possible. Start as warehouse worker or sales associate, prove yourself, move into management.

Easiest Positions to Get

1. Warehouse Associate (highest acceptance rate, constant hiring)

2. Delivery Driver (if driving record is clean)

3. Sales Associate (with older, non-theft convictions)

What to Expect: American Freight Background Check

When It Happens

Background checks occur after conditional offer:

1. Apply online at americanfreight.com/careers or in-store

2. Interview with store manager

3. Conditional job offer

4. Background check

5. Final hiring decision

   
   

What They Check

• Criminal history (felonies and misdemeanors)

• Employment verification

• Driving records (for delivery positions)

• Motor vehicle reports

• Sex offender registry

  
  

How Far Back They Look

Standard: 7 years for most positions

Exceptions: Some states allow full criminal history review. Theft convictions may be reviewed regardless of age.

Timeline

• Application to interview: 3-7 days

• Interview to offer: Same day to 1 week

• Background check: 3-5 business days

• Total process: 1-2 weeks typically

How to Apply to American Freight with a Felony Record

1. Be completely honest about your record.

American Freight will discover it during background check. Lying results in disqualification.

2. Apply online at americanfreight.com/careers or visit stores in person.

In-person applications can work well. You make personal impression before they see your record.

3. Target warehouse or delivery positions first.

These have better acceptance rates than sales roles.

4. Emphasize physical capabilities.

Furniture work is demanding. Highlight your ability to lift heavy items repeatedly. Mention any moving, warehouse, or physical labor experience.

5. Highlight your driving record (for delivery positions).

If applying for delivery driver, emphasize clean driving history. Bring your driving record to interview if it's spotless.

6. Prepare brief explanation.

Keep it to 30-60 seconds:

• "I made a mistake [X] years ago"

• "I took responsibility and completed my sentence"

• "I've stayed out of trouble since"

• "I'm looking for hard work where I can prove myself"

  
  

7. Show flexibility about schedule.

Furniture delivery happens weekends and evenings. Willingness to work less desirable hours increases your value.

8. Apply to multiple American Freight locations.

Different stores, different managers, different decisions. One rejection doesn't prevent trying other locations.

Common Questions About Working at American Freight with a Felony

Does American Freight hire violent felons?

Sometimes, especially for warehouse and delivery positions. Violence is less problematic than theft for furniture retail. Time since conviction matters. Violence from 5+ years ago has better chances than recent offenses.

How long do I need to wait after my conviction?

No official waiting period. Many people get hired for warehouse work with convictions 1-2 years old. For sales positions, 5+ years is safer.

Will American Freight hire me with a theft charge?

Challenging but possible depending on time elapsed. Theft from 5+ years ago might be acceptable for warehouse or delivery. Recent theft or multiple theft convictions face significant difficulties. Theft is viewed seriously in retail.

Can I work at American Freight if I'm on probation?

Yes. American Freight hires people on probation regularly. Make sure your probation officer approves delivery driving if that's your position. Warehouse work is typically probation-friendly.

Does American Freight do drug testing?

Yes, pre-employment drug testing is standard for most positions. Some positions may have random testing. American Freight tests for illegal drugs.

What if I have a DUI?

DUI affects delivery driver eligibility significantly. One old DUI (5+ years) might be acceptable. Recent DUI or multiple DUIs disqualify you from driving positions. Warehouse and sales positions don't require driving.

How physical is the work really?

Very physical. You'll lift sofas, mattresses, appliances, and furniture all day. Items weigh 50-200+ pounds and require two-person lifts. If you have back problems or can't handle heavy labor, this isn't the right job.

Other Furniture Retailers That Hire Felons

Ashley Furniture - Furniture manufacturing and retail. Warehouse and delivery positions. Case-by-case evaluation. $12-18/hour.

Bob's Discount Furniture - Discount furniture retailer. Delivery and warehouse work. Similar to American Freight. $13-18/hour.

Rooms To Go - Furniture retailer. Delivery and warehouse positions. Case-by-case hiring. $13-18/hour.

Aaron's - Rent-to-own furniture. Delivery drivers and warehouse workers. Case-by-case evaluation. $12-17/hour.

Rent-A-Center - Rent-to-own furniture and electronics. Delivery and customer accounts. $12-17/hour.

IKEA - Furniture retail. Warehouse and delivery roles. Case-by-case evaluation. Excellent benefits. $14-19/hour.

Big Lots - Discount retail including furniture. Warehouse and sales positions. $11-15/hour.

Value City Furniture - Furniture retailer. Delivery and warehouse work. $13-17/hour.

Final Thoughts

American Freight offers real opportunities for people with felony records willing to do physical work. Your criminal history doesn't automatically disqualify you, especially for warehouse and delivery positions.

Target back-of-house roles, emphasize your physical capabilities, and demonstrate willingness to work hard. Many people have built careers in furniture delivery and warehouse work.

Start here: Visit americanfreight.com/careers or stop by your local American Freight store to apply for warehouse or delivery positions.