Papa John’s on Thursday said it would invest about $2.5 million in its workforce, including various bonuses to some 14,000 new and existing workers at its company-owned restaurants and in its supply chain.
The company said it would offer $50 referral bonuses to employees for every new hire they bring in, plus a $50 bonus for the new team member. Existing corporate workers at the chain’s restaurants could get up to $400 in “appreciation bonuses” to be paid in increments throughout the year.
Papa John’s operates just less than 600 of the chain’s 3,100 U.S. locations.
The company also said it would make additional investments in its full-time staff in higher volume company stores to “support continued growth.”
The bonuses “reflect the value we place on growing, retaining and supporting our dedicated team,” CEO Rob Lynch said in a statement. He also said that the company made permanent expanded benefits like paid time off and tuition that were offered during the pandemic.
The move is only the latest by a restaurant chain to attract and retain workers. Hiring bonuses at some restaurants of up to $1,000—and in some cases even bonuses for people interviewing for jobs—have become more common in recent months as the industry fights for workers.
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