I applied online at Vons.com and selected the department with open entries: clerk, Panda Express (located inside the Vons supermarket), Starbucks...etc.
Got a call back within a week from a manager at Panda Express. Scheduled an interview, showed up, went through a brief 5 minute interview, then I was hired. I never interviewed with anyone at Vons. The whole process was very strange because it didn't seem like an interview. I think I was asked 5 questions total and I was hired...by the way did I mention I have a criminal background! --- expunged of course!!! But seriously they will hire anyone. I did have to go through the background check and the drug test -- all passed, like I said I have an expungement of my convictions so no problem with the background check.
Some of the questions asked:
1. Tell me about yourself?
2. What is your availability? (Like with all employers they like very open schedules)
3. What is your favorite item at Panda Express?
4. Previous Work history? -- I only had one - working as a barista at Starbucks -- I was fired of course :)
5. Why should we hire you?
Also they never asked for references. I gave one personal reference (my friend) for the job application but that was it.