ALTOONA, Pa. - A regional restaurant and convenience chain is planning to hire more than 2,800 employees.

Sheetz is holding a hiring event for full and part-time positions on Wednesday, March 31 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all of its locations.

During hiring day, applicants can apply in person and are required to follow the company's COVID-19 protocols. Masks and social distancing will be required.

Those attending the hiring event can check in at the front register and then wait in their car until it is time to interview.

The hiring drive comes after a $28.5 million investment into store employee wages. The company recently announced an updated parental leave policy allowing for 12 weeks of paid time off for new mothers and two weeks paid time off for partners.

Sheetz currently operated 619 stores across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland.