Earned wage access retention results speak for themselves. Employees who used FlexWage OnDemand Pay, an earned wage access solution, stayed 146% longer on average than those who didn’t. This case study shows how one Southeastern U.S. McDonald’s franchise improved retention, reduced turnover, and simplified payroll by integrating a responsible earned wage access program.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Image: A young millennial is sitting with friends outside on the steps, holding a cell phone to the camera and showing a screenshot of FlexWage OnDemand Pay.
At a Glance: Earned Wage Access Retention
Industry: Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR)
Client: McDonald’s Franchise, Southeastern U.S.
Locations: Six
Launched: March 2022
Program: Earned Wage Access (OnDemand Pay) for hourly employees
Outcome: EWA users averaged 12.3 months of tenure vs. 5.0 months for non-users (~146% longer)
Adoption: ~33% of the active workforce
Operational Lift: Low maintenance with automated funding and limits
The Challenge: High Turnover and Pay Pressures
Like many QSR operators, this McDonald’s franchise faced high employee turnover and growing competition for hourly workers. Managers also fielded frequent early pay requests, creating added payroll strain. The owner sought a compliant, low-effort earned wage access solution that could reduce turnover while maintaining payroll accuracy and control.
The FlexWage Solution: Seamless, Employer-Integrated EWA
The McDonald’s franchise owner implemented OnDemand Pay. This employer-integrated, earned wage access platform enables instant disbursement to employees’ existing debit cards.
Key features included:
→ Automated funding.
→ Repayment through payroll.
→ Low, capped transaction fees for employees.
→ Minimal administrative effort once configured.
“Setup was smooth, and the program basically runs itself. FlexWage support has been fast, helpful, and proactive.”
– Franchise Co-Owner, Southeastern U.S.
Earned Wage Access Retention Results
Within months of launch, the program achieved measurable impact on employee tenure and satisfaction.
→ EWA users averaged 12.3 months of employment vs. 5.0 months for non-users
→ One-third of employees use OnDemand Pay regularly
→ Managers reported fewer payroll questions and reduced administrative work
This earned wage access retention data proves that when employees have access to their earned pay, they stay longer, feel more financially secure, and contribute to greater workforce stability.
>>> Learn how earned wage access supports employee well-being.
Industry context reinforces the gains in earned wage access retention seen here. In 2024, Black Box Intelligence reported that hourly turnover in restaurants has eased from pandemic peaks and that lower turnover strongly correlates with higher traffic and sales. With replacement costs averaging $2,305 per hourly hire and compensation cited as the leading reason employees leave, benefits that improve day-to-day liquidity, like earned wage access, work alongside competitive pay and more diverse, gender-balanced management teams to reduce churn and strengthen performance.
Download Your Copy of The EWA Provider SELECTION GUIDE
Your guide includes Five Critical Elements and 22 Questions to help you thoroughly and objectively evaluate your current or future Earned-Wage Access (EWA) provider.
Download the EWA Provider Selection Guide Now
Business Impact: Competitive Advantage and Simpler Operations
Earned wage access quickly became a key differentiator in the local hiring market. The franchise saw faster onboarding, stronger retention, and improved morale, without adding operational complexity. Automated controls and integration kept payroll seamless and accurate.
>>> Financial wellness statistics
“FlexWage gives our employees instant access to their pay while making life easier for our team. It’s a win-win.”
– Franchise Co-Owner, Southeastern U.S.
Why Earned Wage Access Works
The success of this program comes from FlexWage’s employer-integrated, compliance-first design, which provides:
→ Instant, secure access to earned wages
→ Automated funding controls that minimize manual oversight
→ Transparent, capped fees to protect employees and employers
→ Payroll integration that ensures repayment accuracy
By reducing financial stress and improving access to earned income, earned wage access retention drives measurable improvements in engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty, especially in high-turnover industries like QSR.
>>> Who is responsible for earned wage access compliance?
FlexWage Earned Wage Access
FlexWage Solutions pioneered and holds the patent for employer-integrated earned wage access. Our OnDemand Pay platform empowers employees with instant access to earned wages while giving employers complete control and compliance confidence.
Trusted nationwide, FlexWage delivers scalable, secure, and compliant earned wage access solutions that improve retention, engagement, and payroll efficiency.
Improve Your Employee Retention with Earned Wage Access
FlexWage delivers “EWA Done Right” because it offers the most compliant, responsible, and transparent Earned Wage Access (EWA) solution in the market today.
Learn more about how earned wage access retention can strengthen your workforce and simplify payroll. Schedule an introduction call today!
Improve Your Employee Retention with Earned Wage Access
FlexWage delivers “EWA Done Right” because it offers the most compliant, responsible, and transparent Earned Wage Access (EWA) solution in the market today.
Schedule an introduction call today!
Keep exploring and learning >>>>> Your Employees Deserve Better: Building a Responsible EWA Program.