Quick Answer

Yes, Associated Food Stores hires individuals with felony convictions on a case-by-case basis. Employment requires passing mandatory pre-employment drug screening and background checks.

• Greatest barriers: recent theft, fraud, or larceny convictions (within 7-10 years).

• Best entry points: Warehouse Order Selector ($21.20/hr + performance pay), Courtesy Clerk ($12.96-$14.40/hr).

Table of Contents

1. Quick Answer

2. Felon-Friendly Scorecard

3. Eligibility Checklist

4. 🚨 Critical Regulatory Warning

5. Company Overview

6. Hiring Policy Analysis

7. Background Check Process

8. Application Strategy

9. Tips for Applicants with Records

10. Benefits and Compensation

11. Frequently Asked Questions

12. Disclaimer

Felon-Friendly Scorecard

Eligibility Checklist

No Recent Theft/Fraud: Convictions for theft, larceny, fraud, or embezzlement within 7-10 years create highest barriers.

Pass Drug Screening: Mandatory pre-employment urine drug test for all positions.

Physical Capability: Warehouse roles require lifting up to 100 lbs, standing for long periods.

Work Authorization: Must have legal authorization to work in the United States.

🚨 Critical Regulatory Warning

IMPORTANT: Associated Food Stores' hiring practices are governed by federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibit employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Because criminal records disproportionately impact minority communities, the EEOC has issued specific guidance requiring employers to conduct individualized assessments rather than maintaining blanket policies that exclude all applicants with criminal records. Utah enacted a ban-the-box law in 2017 under House Bill 156, but this law applies exclusively to public sector employers including state agencies, counties, and municipalities. Private employers like Associated Food Stores are not covered by Utah's ban-the-box provisions, meaning they may legally ask about criminal history on initial job applications. However, even though they can ask early in the process, AFS must still comply with federal EEOC requirements for individualized assessment before making final hiring decisions. The company also operates under a mandatory drug-free workplace policy requiring all applicants to pass pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment.

EEOC Individualized Assessment: Must consider nature/gravity of offense, time elapsed, and job-relatedness before denial.

Utah Clean Slate Law: Certain misdemeanors automatically expunged after 5-7 years; won't appear on checks.

Drug-Free Workplace: Mandatory pre-employment drug screening is non-negotiable for all positions.

FCRA Compliance: Written consent required; adverse action process must be followed if denying based on background results.

Company Overview

Associated Food Stores is a cooperatively-owned wholesale distributor founded in 1940 when 34 independent retailers banded together to combat high supplier costs and competition from large chains. Headquartered in Salt Lake City with its primary distribution center in Farr West, Utah, AFS has grown to serve nearly 500 independently owned supermarkets across eight western states: Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, and Wyoming. The company employs between 5,000-10,000 workers and generates over $1.6 billion in annual revenue, making it one of the largest employers in the Intermountain West region. AFS operates through two primary business functions: wholesale distribution to independent member retailers and operation of 41 corporate-owned retail stores under five distinct banners. Macey's is the largest banner with 23 locations across the Wasatch Front, Tooele, and Logan areas of Utah. Fresh Market operates 6 locations along the Wasatch Front and in Park City. Lin's maintains 7 locations in southern Utah including Hurricane, Cedar City, St. George, Richfield, Price, and one location in Overton, Nevada. Dan's has 2 locations in Salt Lake County (Cottonwood Heights and Salt Lake City), and Dick's operates 2 locations in Davis County (Bountiful and Centerville). The company has not made public commitments to second-chance employment or fair chance hiring initiatives, and hiring decisions appear to follow standard industry practices with individualized assessment as required by federal EEOC guidelines.

Hiring Policy Analysis

Key Regulatory Constraints

EEOC Title VII: Individualized assessment required; blanket exclusions may constitute illegal discrimination.

FCRA Requirements: Written consent before checks; adverse action process if denying employment.

Drug-Free Policy: Mandatory pre-employment screening for all positions.

Factors in Hiring Decisions

Job Relevance: Theft/fraud convictions highly relevant to inventory control and cash handling roles.

Time Elapsed: Older convictions (7-10+ years) viewed more favorably.

Rehabilitation Evidence: Stable employment, completed probation, education/training certificates.

Position-Specific Barriers

Background Check Process

What They Check

Criminal History: County, state, federal checks for felony/misdemeanor convictions.

Drug Screening: Mandatory urine test for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines.

Employment Verification: Previous employers contacted for dates, titles, rehire eligibility.

SSN Validation: Identity and work authorization verification.

Lookback Period Summary

Disqualifying Factors

High Risk: Recent theft/fraud (5-7 years), violent felonies, failed drug tests, active warrants, dishonesty on application.

Lower Risk: Drug possession 7+ years old, DUI 7+ years old (non-driving roles), minor property damage, older non-violent felonies.

Application Strategy

1. Target Warehouse Positions: Focus your application efforts on Warehouse Order Selector positions at the Farr West Distribution Center located in the Ogden/West Weber area. These roles offer the highest entry-level pay in the company at $21.20 per hour base rate plus uncapped performance pay based on productivity, with many experienced selectors earning $25-$30+ per hour through performance bonuses. The physically demanding nature of warehouse work (standing 8-10 hours, lifting up to 100 pounds regularly, working in freezer/refrigerated environments) creates high turnover and frequent job openings. Express willingness to work overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays where hiring needs are greatest and competition is lowest.

   
   

2. Apply at afstores.com/careers: Submit applications through the company's online career portal at Associated Food Stores' careers website. Complete all fields thoroughly and accurately. If the application asks about criminal history, answer honestly and completely any dishonesty, omission, or falsification is immediate grounds for disqualification and potential permanent blacklisting from future consideration. Utah's private employers may legally ask about criminal history on applications, so be prepared to disclose if asked.

   
   

3. Emphasize Reliability: During interviews, stress your commitment to workplace safety procedures and protocols, excellent punctuality and attendance history, strong work ethic and willingness to work hard in physically demanding conditions, and ability to work effectively as part of a team. Warehouse operations value consistency and dependability above almost all other qualities. Bring specific examples of situations where you demonstrated these attributes in previous employment.

   
   

4. Prepare for Drug Testing: The mandatory pre-employment drug screening is absolutely non-negotiable and failed tests result in automatic disqualification with no appeal process. Urine testing typically occurs either on-site immediately following the interview (common for warehouse positions) or at a designated testing facility within 24-48 hours of receiving a conditional job offer. Ensure you can pass screening for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines. Note that marijuana use is disqualifying even in states where recreational use is legal.

   
   

5. Demonstrate Rehabilitation: Bring organized, professional documentation of your rehabilitation including proof of stable employment history since your conviction with reference letters from previous employers, official certificates showing completion of probation or parole requirements, educational or vocational training certificates you've earned since the offense, substance abuse treatment completion certificates if applicable, and letters of recommendation from probation officers, counselors, community leaders, or others who can speak to your character and reliability. Present these materials professionally in a folder or binder.

Tips for Applicants with Records

Start with Night/Weekend Shifts: Less desirable shifts have highest hiring needs.

Run Your Own Background Check: Know what employers will see; correct errors.

Consider Expungement: Check Utah Clean Slate Law eligibility for automatic expungement.

Highlight Stable Employment: Show consistent work history since conviction.

Leverage Performance Pay: Warehouse base pay increases significantly with speed/productivity.

Benefits and Compensation

Employee Perspectives

Pros: Competitive warehouse pay, benefits for full-time, flexible scheduling, daily pay.

Cons: Physically demanding, inconsistent raises, retail starting pay at minimum wage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Associated Food Stores hire people with felonies?

   Yes, AFS hires individuals with felonies on a case-by-case basis as required by EEOC guidelines. The company must conduct individualized assessments considering offense nature, time elapsed, and job-relatedness. Warehouse Order Selector ($21.20/hr + performance pay) and Courtesy Clerk ($12.96-$14.40/hr) positions offer the best opportunities. Applicants with older (7-10+ years) non-violent convictions and rehabilitation evidence have the strongest chances.

   
   

2. What is the background check process at Associated Food Stores?

   AFS conducts standard employment background checks through third-party agencies after conditional job offers. Checks include criminal history (county, state, federal), employment verification, and SSN validation. The company must obtain written consent before checking and follow FCRA adverse action procedures if denying based on findings. The process typically takes 3-7 business days.

   
   

3. How far back does the background check go at Associated Food Stores—what is the lookback period?

   
   

   The lookback period is typically 7-10 years for criminal convictions, standard for retail/warehouse employment. FCRA limits arrests without convictions to 7 years. Utah's Clean Slate Law automatically expunges certain misdemeanors after 5-7 years expunged records won't appear on checks and don't require disclosure.

   
   

4. What types of convictions make hiring more difficult at Associated Food Stores?

   Theft, larceny, fraud, and embezzlement face highest scrutiny due to inventory control and cash handling responsibilities. Violent felonies and weapons offenses create barriers due to safety concerns. Failed drug tests, active warrants, and application dishonesty result in immediate disqualification. Older (7-10+ years) non-violent drug possession and property damage offenses present fewer obstacles with rehabilitation evidence.

   
   

5. What are the best entry-level roles at Associated Food Stores for applicants with a record?

   Warehouse Order Selector at Farr West Distribution Center offers the best opportunity with $21.20/hr base plus uncapped performance pay. High turnover creates frequent openings in this physically demanding role. Courtesy Clerk positions ($12.96-$14.40/hr) at retail stores provide good alternatives with minimal cash handling. Stock Clerk and Produce Clerk roles also offer accessible entry points.

   
   

6. Does Associated Food Stores drug test, and what kind of test do they use?

   Yes, mandatory pre-employment urine drug testing for all positions screening for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines. Testing typically occurs on-site after interview or within 24-48 hours of conditional offer. Failed tests result in immediate offer withdrawal. This is non-negotiable as part of the drug-free workplace policy.

   
   

7. When during the hiring process will Associated Food Stores ask about criminal history?

   Utah's ban-the-box applies only to public employers, so AFS may ask about criminal history on initial applications. Formal background checks occur after conditional offers per FCRA requirements. Answer honestly—dishonesty is grounds for disqualification. Final decisions require EEOC-mandated individualized assessment.

   
   

8. Can someone advance to management at Associated Food Stores if they have a felony?

   Yes, advancement to supervisory and management positions is possible for employees demonstrating reliability and strong performance over time. AFS promotes from within. Key factors include time elapsed since conviction, offense nature, sustained rehabilitation, and performance excellence. Employees starting in entry-level roles have realistic advancement paths.

   
   

9. How long does the hiring and background check process take?

   The complete process typically takes 1-3 weeks from application to start date. Application review: 3-7 days; interview scheduling: 1-2 weeks; background checks: 3-7 business days; drug test results: 24-48 hours; orientation scheduling: 1-2 weeks after clearance. Warehouse positions with urgent needs may move faster.

   
   

10. What can applicants do to improve their chances of getting hired at Associated Food Stores?

    Target Warehouse Order Selector positions at Farr West Distribution Center, which offer the highest entry-level pay ($21.20/hr base + uncapped performance pay) and have the most frequent openings due to high turnover from physically demanding work. Express willingness to work less desirable shifts including nights, weekends, and early mornings where hiring needs are greatest. Be completely honest on all application materials dishonesty or omissions guarantee disqualification. Obtain your own background check before applying from services like Checkr or directly from Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification so you know exactly what employers will see and can correct any database errors. Research Utah Clean Slate Law expungement eligibility on the Utah Courts website certain misdemeanors are automatically expunged after 5-7 years. Gather and organize compelling rehabilitation evidence including documentation of stable employment since conviction, proof of completed probation or parole, educational or vocational training certificates, substance abuse treatment completion if applicable, and professional letters of recommendation. Prepare thoroughly for mandatory drug testing by ensuring you can pass urine screening for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines remember that marijuana is disqualifying even where recreationally legal. During interviews, emphasize qualities that warehouse operations value: commitment to safety procedures, punctuality and reliable attendance, strong work ethic in physically demanding conditions, and effective teamwork. Finally, be physically and mentally prepared for demanding warehouse conditions including lifting up to 100 pounds repeatedly throughout 8-10 hour shifts, standing for extended periods, and working in cold environments like freezer sections.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information based on publicly available sources, employee reports, and applicable employment laws. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of employment. Hiring decisions depend on specific circumstances, conviction details, time elapsed, position requirements, and current policies. Pay ranges are based on job postings and salary data from Indeed and Glassdoor, which may vary. AFS is cooperatively-owned with corporate stores and independent retailers; practices may vary by location. Verify current requirements directly with Associated Food Stores. FelonFriendlyJobsNow.com makes no warranties about employment outcomes. Consult qualified employment attorneys for legal guidance.