McDonald’s franchises are offering higher hourly wages, paid time off and tuition payments in an attempt to win over workers, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal, as fast food chains and restaurants struggle to hire staff.
The food chain’s storefront owners are also offering backup child care, according to the report. The benefit has become popular among companies during the pandemic as employers and Americans emerging from the pandemic seek to adapt.
Restaurants were among the hardest-hit businesses during Covid shutdowns, letting go of many of their workers as sales stalled. Now that industries around the country have resumed full operations, restaurants are struggling to keep up with demand.
Other major restaurant chains — including Papa John’s, Chipotle and P. F. Chang’s — have similarly boosted incentives for new workers including sign-on bonuses and expanded access to caregiver benefits.
McDonald’s franchisees agreed last month to help boost training, workplace flexibility, pay and benefits for workers across markets, according to the Journal.
