Pei Wei looks to fill jobs following ID theft sweep

PHOENIX - The "Help Wanted" sign is out at a popular Valley restaurant chain.

Pei Wei is looking to fill dozens of positions at every one of their 16 Valley locations and some of the new hires might owe their jobs to Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Arpaio’s task force rounded up more than a dozen Pei Wei employees for identity theft Friday. Detectives said some were in the country illegally.

“Absolutely there are more positions available,” said Pei Wei's Chief People Officer, Nancy Mailhot. “It's unfortunate there are victims of identity theft. It's terrible for the victims, and it's also terrible for us as a victim as well."

Mailhot said her company is constantly looking for new ways to verify their employees.

"Electronic I-9s, we're on it, we're embracing it..E-verify, we're on it, we're embracing it,” she said. "I asked the detective, 'What else can I do?' His response was, 'You're doing it.'"

Mailhot said they're getting ready to perform hundreds of new background and identity checks because of their employment surge.

With jobs paying up to $15 an hour starting, the positions are typically well sought after.

If you’re looking for a job with Pei Wei, they are now accepting applications and interviews at all of their locations, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

Mailhot said there is room to grow with the jobs.

"A couple of the guys here have done great,” Mailhot said of their 7th Avenue and McDowell location. “One started here as a cashier, now he's a general manager. Another guy started as a dishwasher, he's now a market chef trainer working with other chefs. There is lots of opportunity for growth."