---
title: "Study finds stress negatively affects restaurant employees"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/e1064c0a-4ab5-4a29-8703-10de4eee9ca4
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/articles/study_finds_stress_negatively_affects_restaurant_employees.html
author: "M. Scott Morris"
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Emerging brands","Operations"]
published: 2023-12-06T10:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:05:30.697Z
image: https://imgs.franchising.com/art/articles/8151_plate.jpg
---

# Study finds stress negatively affects restaurant employees

**TL;DR:** A study by YouGov and commissioned by DailyPay found that 72% of quick-service and fast-casual restaurant industry employees experience financial stress, which negatively affects their emotional well-being, mental health, and job satisfaction. The study also found that 72% of employees think earned wage access is somewhat or very appealing.

*By M. Scott Morris, originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-12-06. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/articles/study_finds_stress_negatively_affects_restaurant_employees.html).*

## Story

Two-thirds (66%) of quick-service and fast-casual restaurant industry employees are at least somewhat stressed about their finances, according to a new study conducted by YouGov and commissioned by DailyPay. The research, which surveyed QSR and fast-casual restaurant employees, indicatesthat many believe financial stress has had at least somewhat of a negative impact on their emotional well-being (72%), mental health (70%), physical health (64%), job satisfaction (58%), job performance (39%) and attendance (34%). Adding to that stress, having cash on hand is an issue for most.

Seventy-two percent of industry employees are at least occasionally short on cash with 35% frequently or very frequently short on cash. In a sign of optimism, nearly half (45%) of those surveyed feel better financially compared to a year ago. With hopes of their economic situation improving, only 14% expect to be in a financially worse situation a year from now.

The employer-sponsored financial wellness benefit of earned wage access can be helpful with personal financial challenges, according to the survey. More than seven in 10 (72%) say the concept of earned wage access is somewhat or very appealing with 56% saying getting paid more frequently at work than they currently do would be “very” or “extremely” beneficial to them. The survey of QSR and fast-casual restaurant employees also noted that about half (49%) would be very or somewhat likely to consider leaving their current employer for another employer that offers earned wage access with 42% saying on-demand pay would be extremely or very important when looking for a new job.

YouGov conducted a 10-minute online survey of 688 QSR and fast-casual restaurant employees (e.g., cashiers, cooks, kitchen staff, counter staff, delivery staff, servers, and drive-thru attendants) in September and October 2023.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- M. Scott Morris (person)
- qsr industry (topic)
- Emerging (sector)
- fast casual industry (topic)
- YouGov (company)
- employee wellness (topic)
- financial stress (topic)
- DailyPay (company)
- earned wage access (topic)

---
Originally reported by M. Scott Morris, Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/articles/study_finds_stress_negatively_affects_restaurant_employees.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/e1064c0a-4ab5-4a29-8703-10de4eee9ca4).