Does Pizza Hut Drug Test All Its Employees?

Pizza Hut is the largest pizza chain in the world by number of locations, operating over 18,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. The company employs over 350,000 employees and is always on the lookout for more job applicants. For people looking to work there, one of the most frequently asked questions is: Does Pizza Hut Drug Test its employees? Read on to learn more about the company’s drug test policy and recruitment process.

Pre-Employment Drug Tests at Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut has dedicated itself to providing high-quality fast food to its wide consumer base – a process that requires the cooperation of many employees, from management to delivery personnel. All the company stores use a standardized cooking process, but their policies may differ on drug policies. Officially, the company does not have a universal drug testing policy, but each branch has the capacity to institute one of its own. Some stores and franchises perform drug tests while others do not. Generally, it will usually depend on the job the applicant is eyeing. Some reports say that Pizza Hut conducts pre-employment drug tests after offering an applicant a conditional job offer. The test marks the last step in the recruitment process, and the management will usually select the facility where the applicant should get their drug test.

Pizza Hut’s Drug Policy

Regional Pizza Hut branch managers can institute random drug tests if they believe that doing so will improve the customer experience and quality of employees. Branches in Granite City, Illinois, conduct random tests every six months while Schertz, Texas, branches do so every 30 days – it varies. Additionally, the management of a branch reserves the right to conduct a drug test if they suspect an employee is under the influence of narcotics. A good example is Desert De Oro Foods, Inc., which runs a number of Pizza Hut locations. According to the Drugs and Alcohol clause of its Employment Policy Handbook & Operations Manual: “Testing is an important element in the Company’s efforts to ensure a safe and productive work environment.” The company performs drug tests under the following conditions:

Reasonable Suspicion – When there is reason to believe an employee is operating under the influence of drugs.
Post Incident – After an employee has been involved in an accident.

The company handbook also holds that an employee could be terminated for failing to submit to a drug test within the recommended timeline. Although this is only one example of the drug policy in a Pizza Hut franchise, it gives you an idea of the processes other stores might follow.

Drug Test Types Used by Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut franchises that have an active drug policy usually send employees to approved testing facilities. The issued drug tests are standard 5-panel urine screens. According to NCBI, urinalysis tests are more effective at revealing drug content and are also more cost-effective than other test methods. 5-panel urinalysis tests are designed to detect a wide range of narcotics and recreational drugs. Typically, they will usually check for the presence of:

Cocaine
Marijuana
Phencyclidine
Opiates
Methamphetamine/amphetamine

Pizza Hut employees either drive the delivery vehicles, work with customers, or handle food. This means that you are unlikely to maintain your job if you are found to be working under the influence of a substance that inhibits your physical or mental abilities. In some cases, you might still lose your job for using THC or marijuana, even if you have an MMJ card.

What If You Are on Prescription Drugs?

Statistics from Talbott Recovery show that about 54 million Americans above the age of 12 have taken prescription drugs for non-medical reasons. These numbers explain why employers like Pizza Hut might be concerned about prescription drug abuse. However, you are unlikely to lose your job over this as long as you have a prescription. If you are due for a drug test and are on prescription drugs, always inform your employer beforehand. You should also provide them with your doctor’s contact information in case they need to confirm that you are on a prescription. That said, they have no legal right to ask about your medical condition.

Pizza Hut Hiring Process

Pizza Hut’s employment process is relatively straightforward. Applicants begin by finding out if there is an open position at their local restaurant and submitting an application in person. Once they submit the application, they might receive a call from the restaurant to arrange an interview. Applicants that pass the interview move on to the next phase. If the particular restaurant you applied to offers you a conditional job offer, one of the conditions might be to pass a drug test. You get the job when you pass the test.

Random and Pre-Promotional Drug Tests at Pizza Hut

In most cases, Pizza Hut branches are unlikely to perform pre-promotional and random drug tests unless on the basis of suspicion or after an accident. If your manager suspects that you are operating under the influence of narcotics or other drugs, they might ask you to undergo a test. Failing to take this test could lead to termination. You might also be required to take a test if you injure someone or are injured on the job and your manager suspects you were under the influence. In terms of promotion, the company might require a drug test if you are being promoted to management or corporate level.

Pizza Hut Delivery Drivers

Some Pizza Hut branches conduct drug tests for their delivery drivers, which is crucial because they need to maintain road safety. For those franchises that do not screen drivers, the drivers will still be subject to a test if they get into an accident while on the job.

Conclusion

Does Pizza Hut Drug Test? Generally, it will depend on the Pizza Hut franchise and whether its employee policy includes a drug test. Some Pizza Hut employees say they were tested after receiving a conditional job offer, while others say they were not tested. Once employees are hired, however, most reports say that the company conducts scheduled and random drug tests on employees, especially on suspicion or after an accident. Employees that fail the drug tests are usually subject to termination.