Does Wawa hire felons at its stores and production facilities? Yes, Wawa hires people with felony convictions on a case-by-case basis.
The type of conviction, how long ago it happened, the job you’re applying for, and your work history since the conviction all affect the hiring decision.
There’s no guarantee you’ll get a job offer, but applicants with felony convictions report being hired, so it’s worth making an application, especially if your conviction is older or unrelated to the job.
Does Wawa Hire Convicted Felons?
While Wawa isn’t known as a second-chance employer, having a felony conviction doesn’t automatically rule you out. Your chances of being hired depend on what your conviction was for.
Wawa store employees handle cash, are responsible for merchandise and fuel, prepare food, and deal directly with customers; a recent theft, fraud, robbery, or violent offense is more likely to be a problem than an older conviction unrelated to those duties.
That doesn’t always mean you won’t get the job if you have one of those convictions. Wawa will look at the nature of the offense, the time that has passed, and the duties involved in the job before they decide to hire you or turn you down.
Does Wawa Run a Background Check?
You should be prepared for a background check during the Wawa hiring process. If Wawa wants to hire you, they’ll run a standard pre-employment background check to screen for criminal history and to verify your application information.
Expect the background check to go back at least 7 years. None of the states where Wawa operates have any limits on the lookback period for criminal convictions.
That doesn’t mean you’ll be rejected if your record is reported. Hiring decisions are made on a case-by-case basis after a review of the nature and age of the offense and its relevance to the job.
What Are the Best Wawa Jobs to Apply For With a Felony?
Most Wawa openings are for entry-level store jobs including:
- Customer service associate
- Food and beverage associate
- Overnight associate
- Fuel associate at locations that offer fuel service
- Store operations positions
Felons can be hired for these roles depending on the nature of the offense and the duties the job involves.
Someone with a recent conviction involving money or theft may have a harder time getting a position involving working the cash register, while a DUI conviction has little connection to store work.
Wawa also has jobs outside its stores. Its Wawa Beverage Company in Media, Pennsylvania employs people in:
- Production
- Plant operations
- Quality assurance
- Transportation
- Driving
- Mechanical work
- Dairy plant support
These positions are worth considering if you have experience in manufacturing, maintenance, trucking, or production and would rather avoid a customer-facing retail job.
For driving jobs, though, the requirements are stricter. A CDL position could be affected by your driving record, license status, DOT requirements, or the nature of your conviction.
Should You Apply to Wawa With a Felony?
Yes. Wawa doesn’t automatically reject everyone with a felony conviction, so it’s worth applying for a job if there’s an open position in your area.
An older conviction, a steady work history, good references, and evidence that you’ve moved forward since the offense will all help your application.
FAQs
Does Wawa Drug Test?
For ordinary Wawa store jobs, a pre-employment drug test isn’t a standard requirement. However, you may be asked to take a drug test after a workplace accident or if there’s reason to suspect substance use while you’re at work.
How long does a Wawa background check take?
A Wawa background check takes around 4 to 10 days. Some employees say theirs took longer, while others were completed in 1-3 days.
A criminal record, records in multiple states, or information that needs to be verified can slow the process down.
If you’ve been waiting more than two weeks, contact the store or hiring manager and ask whether they need anything else from you.
Does Wawa hire people on probation or parole?
Possibly. Because Wawa considers applicants with felony convictions, being on probation or parole isn’t necessarily an automatic disqualification.
The individual conviction is likely to matter more than probation or parole status by itself. Wawa considers the type of offense, how recent it was, and whether it relates to the job.
You’ll also need to make sure the job works with any conditions of your supervision. For example, an overnight Wawa shift could be difficult if you have a curfew.
You May Also Like: Does Rural King Hire Felons? (Latest 2026 Update)