Quick Answer

Yes, Family Dollar does hire people with felonies in 2025. As part of Dollar Tree’s retail network with more than 8,000 stores nationwide, Family Dollar reviews applicants individually based on conviction type, time passed, and position requirements.

Sales associate and stocker roles pay ($11–$14/ hour) and are the most accessible. Store managers have wide discretion, so applying to multiple locations greatly increases your chances of being hired.

Family Dollar serves many urban and underserved communities where dependable workers are highly valued. This creates genuine opportunities for individuals rebuilding their lives after incarceration.

Table of Contents

1. Quick Answer

2. About Family Dollar

3. Hiring Policy

4. Available Jobs

5. Background Check

6. Application Tips

7. Frequently Asked Questions

8. Similar Companies That Hire People with Felonies

9. Final Thoughts

About Family Dollar

Family Dollar operates more than 8,000 discount retail stores across the United States, primarily in urban neighborhoods and rural towns. Acquired by Dollar Tree in 2015, Family Dollar keeps its own branding but shares corporate ownership. The chain sells groceries, household essentials, and general merchandise at low prices.

With over 70,000 employees, Family Dollar’s smaller store format and high turnover lead to consistent hiring needs. For applicants with criminal records, these conditions can be favorable. Managers often have flexibility in filling positions quickly, especially in locations with staffing shortages.

Family Dollar also supports workforce diversity and partners with reentry organizations that assist individuals with criminal backgrounds. While each store has its own hiring approach, the company’s overall culture supports second-chance employment.

Hiring Policy

Family Dollar does not automatically reject applicants with felony convictions. Hiring decisions depend on several factors, including the type of offense, how long ago it occurred, and job responsibilities.

What They Consider

• The nature and date of the conviction.

• Relationship between offense and job duties.

• Evidence of rehabilitation and stability.

• Local hiring needs and staffing urgency.

• Store manager’s personal discretion.

The company follows all Ban the Box and fair chance hiring laws, meaning criminal history questions appear only later in the hiring process. Managers often make conditional offers before reviewing background reports.

Available Jobs

Sales Associate

($11–$14/ hour)

Assists customers, runs registers, restocks shelves, and keeps stores clean. Primary entry-level role open to most applicants.

Stocker / Merchandise Associate

($11–$14/ hour)

Unloads trucks, stocks shelves, and organizes inventory. Offers less customer interaction — ideal for applicants easing back into work.

Cashier

($11–$13/ hour)

Handles money, processes transactions, and assists shoppers. Slightly more scrutiny for theft-related convictions, but older records may not disqualify you.

Freight Handler

($11–$14/ hour)

Processes truck deliveries and organizes stock rooms. Often early-morning or overnight shifts with more flexible hiring.

Assistant Store Manager

($14–$18/ hour)

Supervises associates, assists with scheduling and inventory, and manages operations when the Store Manager is off duty.

Store Manager

($18–$24/ hour + bonuses)

Oversees all store functions, including hiring, merchandising, and staff management. Many managers were promoted internally after starting in hourly roles.

Distribution Center Associate

($14–$18/ hour)

Receives, sorts, and ships merchandise at Family Dollar’s regional warehouses. Physical work, often easier to obtain for people with felonies.

Best Entry Point: Sales Associate and Stocker positions are the most realistic starting roles. Once hired, reliable performance can lead to internal promotions and long-term career growth.

Background Check

• Conducted after a conditional offer.

• Typically reviews the past 7 years.

• Takes 5–10 business days.

• Drug testing varies by state and store.

• Federal law provides applicants time to review or dispute results.

Family Dollar complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and gives applicants a chance to explain or correct background check issues before final decisions are made.

Application Tips

1. Apply online and in person – Submit your application at careers.familydollar.com and visit stores directly to meet managers.

   
   

2. Apply widely – Target 15–20 stores near you; each store manager hires independently.

   
   

3. Be strategic about timing – Visit mid-mornings or early afternoons when managers are less busy.

   
   

4. Stay honest but brief – If asked about your record, give a short, responsible explanation focused on growth.

   
   

5. Show reliability – Stress attendance, transportation, and commitment to showing up.

   
   

6. Be flexible with shifts – Weekend, night, and holiday availability make you more valuable.

   
   

7. Dress professionally – Clean, simple clothes help make a positive first impression.

   
   

8. Bring references – Community or past work references strengthen credibility.

   
   

9. Follow up – Call or stop by 2–3 days after applying to confirm interest.

   
   

10. Target stores with “Now Hiring” signs – Those stores often need staff urgently and may be more flexible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my theft conviction prevent me from being hired?

Not automatically. Honesty, time since conviction, and your attitude matter more. Stocker roles are often easier to secure than cashier jobs initially.

Does Family Dollar drug test?

Some locations do, while others don’t. You’ll be informed if your store requires a test after a conditional offer.

How long should I wait after my conviction to apply?

You can apply anytime, but chances improve after 3–5 years of clean history. Convictions older than 7 years often don’t appear on background checks.

Can I work while on probation or parole?

Yes. Many Family Dollar employees are on supervised release. Be upfront about restrictions so your schedule can be accommodated.

Will violent felonies disqualify me?

No automatic disqualification. Managers assess behavior and time since the offense. Stocking or freight roles are typically more accessible.

What if I have multiple felonies?

Managers review the full context. Demonstrate stability, clean recent history, and strong work ethic. Apply to multiple stores for better odds.

Can I get promoted with a felony?

Yes. Many assistant and store managers started with felony records but advanced through solid performance.

Are Family Dollar and Dollar Tree hiring policies the same?

Yes. Both belong to the same parent company, Dollar Tree, Inc., and share similar hiring approaches.

What should I do if my background check is wrong?

You’ll receive a pre-adverse notice before rejection. Dispute any errors with documentation within 5–10 business days.

If one store rejects me, should I apply to others?

Absolutely. Each store manager makes independent hiring decisions. Apply to 15–20 locations to maximize your chances.

Similar Companies That Hire People with Felonies

• Dollar Tree – Parent company; same fair-chance policy with 8,000+ stores.

• Dollar General – 19,000+ stores; very active in second-chance hiring.

• Big Lots – 1,400+ closeout stores with flexible entry-level hiring.

• 99 Cents Only Stores – West Coast chain known for accessible stock jobs.

• Five Below – Discount retailer often hiring reentry candidates for store and warehouse roles.

Final Thoughts

Family Dollar provides a strong path back into the workforce for people with felony convictions. With more than 8,000 stores, high turnover, and flexible local hiring, your chances increase significantly through persistence and professionalism.

Apply today at careers.familydollar.com. Visit stores in person, speak confidently with managers, and emphasize reliability and availability.

Many people with records have built stable, rewarding careers at Family Dollar — and you can too.