A restaurant chain hires thousands from overlooked talent pools.

The fast-pizza trend has paid off for MOD: Since opening its doors during the 2008 recession, it has expanded to nearly 450 stores in the U.S. and the U.K., with revenue of $398 million last year.

The people serving the food at MOD make as big a statement as the food they’re serving. More than 38% of its roughly 8,000 workers are “opportunity employment” hires, people who are often shut out of the job market. MOD partners with local organizations to hire low-income youth; people with intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities; and people who were formerly incarcerated. It remains a rarity in that last category—and a vital difference-maker, since the single most important predictor of recidivism is joblessness.