ATLANTA - OCTOBER 17, 2023 - Pittsburgh-based restaurant, Primanti Bros. announced today that it has partnered with the pioneer of fee-free, electronic tips and earned wage access (EWA) solutions, Instant Financial, to provide their employees with real-time, instant access to wages and tips, immediately following their shifts. 

As the restaurant industry continues to evolve amid today’s uncertain economic and labor landscape, many organizations are adopting new technologies to address changing employee expectations, with enhanced benefit offerings playing a central role. With no fees incurred by Primanti’s employees, the Instant Pay and Instant Tips solutions will ​​give workers more control over how and when they receive their earned wages, all while helping to reduce employee turnover by upwards of 27%. 

According to Nation’s Restaurant News 2023 Restaurant Technology Outlook report, over 1 in 3 restaurant operators recently indicated that improving retention is their top labor priority for the year. And more than one in four employees (26%) say it is likely they will change jobs in the next 12 months, up 19% from last year. With Instant Pay and Tips, Primanti Bros. is answering employee demand for optionality in how they get paid. 

“We’re always looking for ways to enhance the benefits we offer current employees, while also making ourselves an employer of choice for job seekers,” said Will Bowker, Chief Restaurant Officer at Primanti’s. “Instant Financial is the ideal earned wage access and electronic tips provider for us, because their flexible fee-free model is the best solution for our employees, which in turn helps with hiring and retention.”

This new partnership comes at a time when economic challenges have employers across the country looking for ways to help their workers bridge the gap between paydays. A surge in inflation, coupled with an unprecedented shift in the labor market has accelerated employee demand for instant access to wages, and employers are focusing more than ever on employee retention. A 2022 study from Instant Financial found that 79% of working Americans would be interested in applying for a job that pays them the same day they work, a 30% increase compared to 2018. 

“As the restaurant industry evolves, successful operators are adopting new technologies that easily integrate with existing processes, while addressing employee needs,” said Tal Clark, CEO, Instant Financial. “We are honored to partner with an organization that has such a rich history as they look toward an equally successful future.”

While employers and employees alike hope for more stable and predictable economic conditions, the recruitment and retention tactics employers have adopted are likely here to stay. The need for employer-driven financial wellness tools is long overdue for hourly and salary workers alike. Through responsible EWA, Instant Pay will enable Primanti Bros. to offer their talent the tools they need to take control of their financial freedom.  For more information on Instant’s fee-free pay solutions, visit www.instant.co.

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