GoTo Foods Taps DailyPay to Modernize Frontline Worker Benefits for Franchisees

WHY THIS MATTERS: The partnership between DailyPay and GoTo Foods is a strong indicator of a fundamental re-evaluation within the labor market, confirming that Earned Wage Access (EWA) is transitioning from a niche employee perk to a core operational strategy. For high-turnover sectors like Quick Service Restaurants, which face persistent challenges in staffing and retention, the ability to offer employees real-time control over their earned income is no longer optional—it is a competitive necessity. This mass adoption across a network of over 7,100 franchise locations validates EWA’s role as an essential pillar of a modern financial wellness offering. The accompanying survey data, which highlights the significant impact on employee switching behavior, delivers a value-first imperative: organizations must embed fluid, on-demand pay experiences into their technology stack to attract and maintain a dedicated frontline workforce. This agreement positions EWA firms as critical infrastructure providers for large franchisors looking to gain an immediate advantage in talent acquisition.

DailyPay, the leader in On-Demand Pay, has announced its partnership with GoTo Foods, a global developer of multi-channel foodservice brands. With this partnership, DailyPay will serve as the sole preferred On-Demand Pay vendor for GoTo Foods’ franchise network. 

The partnership provides GoTo Foods domestic franchisees with a powerful financial wellness benefit for their frontline employees. By leveraging DailyPay, employees at GoTo Foods franchise locations—including iconic quick service restaurant brands such as Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, and Schlotzsky’s Deli®—can build wealth through greater control over their earned pay.

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, GoTo Foods is a franchiser and operator of over 7,100 locations across the globe. Certified™ as a Great Place to Work®, GoTo Foods views this partnership as a natural extension of its mission to foster innovation and employee satisfaction. 

“Providing best-in-class employee experience is a top priority for GoTo Foods and our community of franchisees,” said Jonathan Burns, Director of Procurement at GoTo Foods. “By partnering with DailyPay, we are giving our team members more control over their earnings, helping us attract and retain the dedicated talent that makes our franchises so successful.”

“We are proud to partner with GoTo Foods, a powerhouse in the foodservice industry,” said Phil Mark, Director of Business Development & Partnerships, Franchise, DailyPay. “In today’s competitive labor market, franchisees need every advantage to maintain a skilled workforce. By offering DailyPay, GoTo Foods is empowering its franchisees with a modern benefit that helps them become employers of choice in their communities.”

A shift towards modern pay and benefit options in the QSR industry is backed by recent data. A YouGov survey of QSR and fast-casual restaurant employees revealed about half (49%) would be very or somewhat likely to consider leaving their current employer for another employer that offers earned wage access, with 42% saying On-Demand Pay would be extremely or very important when looking for a new job.

To learn more about current job and franchising opportunities, visit the GoTo Foods careers page.

FF NEWS TAKE: This deal is a clear needle-mover that establishes a benchmark for employee retention in the quick-service industry. By designating a single, preferred Earned Wage Access vendor across its extensive network, GoTo Foods is setting a standardized expectation for competitor franchisors. The immediate area to watch is the speed and breadth of the rollout across the domestic franchise base. Furthermore, the industry must closely monitor the evolving state-level regulatory landscape to ensure that this vital financial wellness technology remains compliant, scalable, and continues to deliver clear value to the end-worker as adoption accelerates.

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