Instant.co

We're proud to share that Instant Financial has been named a finalist for the 2026 Global PayTech Awards in the Best Payments System for Employers & the Workforce category—for the second consecutive year.

This recognition reflects our mission to modernize payroll for hourly workers and help employers improve recruitment, retention, and financial wellness through innovative payment solutions.

With more than $8 billion in earnings and $5 billion in tips delivered to workers, we're honored to be recognized alongside other industry leaders.

Check out the Press Release Here: https://bit.ly/4usyP1Y

How do restaurant operators navigate a "tepid" market landscape? 📊

On the latest Instant Payments Podcast, host Tal Clark and Melissa Doolin-Koehne (Chair of the Texas Restaurant Foundation) share how to stay resilient:

- Manage with "the shift in mind": A great customer experience cascades directly from a well-supported employee shift.
- Own your brand promise: Lean into what makes your brand uniquely stand out instead of chasing frantic expansion.
- Prioritize operational simplicity: Streamline menus and processes so your frontline workforce can execute flawlessly.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation at https://bit.ly/3POyngw

Pay timing is no longer an administrative afterthought. It’s a core expectation. 📉

According to our new national study, 72% of hourly restaurant workers say on-demand pay feels like a right, not a perk.

Frontline employees are operating in a state of constant financial triage, and a two-week waiting period for money they’ve already earned has become a breaking point. Offering immediate wage access isn't a trend; it's a fundamental shift in how people evaluate job quality and employer support.

Brands that fail to adapt are going to face a massive uphill climb keeping shifts covered.

📥 Get the full picture and protect your retention strategy: https://bit.ly/4nXb0Or

Look at the graphic on the left. That isn’t just a grid of icons—it’s a snapshot of your workforce.

📊3 out of 4 hourly restaurant workers say payday would be significantly less stressful if they had access to on-demand pay.

Think about that. 75% of the people powering our kitchens, serving guests, and managing shifts are operating under a cloud of financial anxiety. The data from our 2026 State of Hourly Restaurant Workers Study makes it clear: traditional two-week payroll cycles are falling short of modern realities.

This isn't just an employee wellness issue—it's a massive retention risk. The majority of these workers openly warn that employers who fail to offer flexible, on-demand pay will actively struggle to keep talent.

In today's market, pay timing isn't an administrative afterthought; it's a recruiting and retention necessity. 👉 Is your payroll strategy built for 2026? Click the link to download the full "UNDERSERVED" report today and learn how to stabilize your workforce.

Did you know that 75% of hourly restaurant workers are living paycheck to paycheck? 😲

In our latest episode of the Instant Payments Podcast, Instant CEO Tal Clark sits down with Jason Dorsey, President of the Center for Generational Kinetics. Together, they separate myth from truth when it comes to the financial realities of America's front lines.

Tune in to find out:
✔️Why 61% of food service workers have skipped meals due to a lack of funds.
✔️The massive "perception gap" between corporate executives and frontline realities.
✔️Why Earned Wage Access (EWA) is shifting from a workplace perk to a generational expectation.

If you want to understand what your hourly workforce actually needs to thrive, you don’t want to miss this data-driven conversation.

👇 Watch or listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/43uygtr

When leadership is disconnected from the frontline, it doesn't just impact company culture—it hits the bottom line.

According to our 2026 State of Hourly Restaurant Workers Study, 53% of hourly restaurant workers believe company leadership does not understand what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck. When workers feel unseen, trust erodes, morale drops, and turnover spikes.

In an industry already struggling with high turnover, empathy and alignment are business strategies. Frontline teams aren't looking for empty perks; they are looking for support that matches their day-to-day economic realities.

👉 Get the report: https://bit.ly/49h2ROx

It’s the ultimate irony of the restaurant industry: The very people preparing, serving, and delivering food are struggling to feed themselves.

According to our newly released 2026 State of Hourly Restaurant Workers Study, 61% of hourly restaurant workers skipped more than one meal per week in the past month simply because they couldn't afford food.

When 3 out of 4 hourly workers are living paycheck to paycheck, a two-week pay cycle isn't just inconvenient—it's causing real financial triage. The data is clear. It’s time for a shift in how we support our frontline teams.

👉Download the full report https://bit.ly/3RlUQBP

It’s officially here. Today, we are proud to release UNDERSERVED: The Financial Reality of America’s Hourly Restaurant Workers.

Conducted in partnership with The Center for Generational Kinetics, this national study surveys 750 hourly workers to deliver a raw, data-backed look into the frontline reality. The data reveals a workforce operating in a constant state of financial triage—juggling tradeoffs from skipping meals to navigating costly financial workarounds.

But it’s not just a report on economic strain. It is a playbook for solutions.

For restaurant brands looking to rebuild trust, lower expensive turnover, and gain a major recruiting advantage, the data offers a clear path forward.

👉 Click Download Now to claim your copy of the 2026 report: https://bit.ly/4u7I9IJ