A Detroit-area Popeyes franchisee is adding $5 an hour to wages of front-line employees during the coronavirus pandemic, the company said Monday.
John Brodersen, left, a Detroit Popeyes franchisee, is adding the “essential worker bonus pay” for current and new hourly employees at the 20 restaurant locations in the metropolitan area, the company said.
“We know times are tough and I am so appreciative of all the hard work our Popeyes employees have displayed everyday throughout this crisis,” said Tanathan Nelson, vice president of operations for the Detroit metro area, in a statement.
“Our goal is to ensure our company’s employees are being taken care of while they continue to show up and make sure our community has hot, fresh food when they need it,” Nelson said.
A spokesperson said the bonus would be at all hourly levels.
The company also said all Popeyes locations in the franchise group were seeking to hire additional staff and each new hire would receive the bonus pay starting on their first day of work.
Earlier, companies like Starbucks Corp. also issued temporary raises for employees working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chipotle Mexican Grill also gave a 10% pay increase to hourly workers through April 12.
Popeyes is franchised by Toronto-based Restaurant Brands International Inc., which paid a special bonus in April to corporate restaurant team members in North America “across our three brands to recognize their tremendous service to our guests and communities during this difficult time.”
Popeyes has more than 3,300 restaurants in the U.S. and internationally.
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