A Shot of Espresso & Employee Retention
Let’s talk about espresso and employee retention — because both require the right ingredients and timing to work.
In today’s ultra-competitive job market, where franchisees are battling national brands and local competition for talent, it's no longer enough to simply offer a paycheck and a positive work environment. Employees — especially younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z — are looking for more. They want benefits that reflect their needs, values, and lifestyles.
A MetLife study shows that 73% of employees say having a broader selection of benefits would increase their loyalty to their employer. For franchise owners juggling labor costs and trying to manage high turnover rates, this data is gold.
That’s where voluntary benefits come in.
Voluntary benefits are employee-paid benefits that are offered at a group rate through the employer. They typically include:
Dental and vision coverage
Life and disability insurance
Legal and financial assistance services
Identity theft protection
Critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident coverage
Pet insurance (yes, really — and employees love it!)
They’re optional, customizable, and incredibly cost-effective for employers. In fact, many plans can be implemented with no required employer contribution. But their impact? Huge.
Here’s why:
Flexibility – Employees can pick and choose what’s meaningful to them.
Peace of Mind – Benefits like life insurance or disability coverage provide security in tough times.
Financial Wellness – Offerings like identity theft protection or hospital indemnity help reduce financial stress.
Retention – Employees feel supported and understood — and they stay.
Think of it like espresso. When done right, it’s bold, energizing, and keeps people coming back for more. Voluntary benefits give your employees that same boost. They’re that quick shot of security, value, and satisfaction — and when you're managing a franchise, that can mean the difference between high turnover and a high-performing team.
Want to stand out from competitors and build loyalty that lasts longer than your latte? Offer choice. Offer flexibility. Offer peace of mind.
Voluntary benefits are your secret espresso shot in a modern retention strategy — and Franchise Benefit Solutions can help you serve it up just right.