FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HNF McDonald’s Pilots New Frontline Worker Support Model in Maryland Using Escalate Platform

A high-impact, tech-enabled initiative designed to strengthen reliability, retention, and employee well-being

Silver Spring, MD — November 20, 2025 — HNF McDonald’s has launched a new frontline employee support program across all seven of its Maryland restaurants, becoming one of the first McDonald’s franchise organizations to implement Escalate, a mobile support platform that provides 24/7 assistance to restaurant crew members and managers.

Through Escalate, HNF employees now have immediate access to live coaches, emergency transportation, food and financial resources, communication support, and skill-building tools—all designed to remove the everyday barriers that prevent workers from getting to work and performing at their best.

This pilot reinforces McDonald’s ongoing focus on workforce stability, restaurant reliability, and advancing opportunities for frontline employees, aligning with the company’s broader commitment to people-first operations and community investment.

A Message from McDonald’s Leadership

“At HNF Management, Inc., we are more than just a workplace… we’re a family,” said Imani Ford, Owner/Operator of HNF McDonald’s. “We’ve created a place where we do whatever it takes to make sure our team feels truly valued and respected. Adding Escalate to the benefits we provide our employees was a no-brainer.”

Early Results: A Direct Impact on Shift Coverage and Reliability

Within the first two weeks of launch, Escalate has already helped multiple employees resolve urgent challenges—particularly transportation issues—ensuring they could arrive at their scheduled shifts on time.

One HNF crew member shared:
“My car wouldn’t start and I didn’t have anyone to call. My manager reminded me about Escalate, and within minutes I had help and made it to work on time. I would’ve missed my shift without it.”

A Holistic Support Approach for Today’s Workforce

Key supports now available to all HNF employees include:

  • Emergency transportation when cars break down or rides fall through

  • Food and financial support to navigate rising costs, especially during holidays

  • 24/7 personal coaching for communication, stress, financial challenges, and well-being

  • AI-training to help employees build confidence and enhance their skillset

To kick off the holiday season, HNF also issued $25 Thanksgiving grocery gift cards to every employee directly through the Escalate app — reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting employees beyond the workplace.

Setting a New Standard for Franchise Leadership

“HNF McDonald’s is demonstrating what it looks like to put people at the center of restaurant operations,” said Sienna Daniel, Co-Founder of Escalate. “They’re showing that when employers remove real-life barriers for crew members, everything improves — reliability, retention, the employee experience, and business operations.”

A Scalable Workforce Innovation Opportunity

As restaurants nationwide face ongoing staffing challenges, HNF McDonald’s offers a replicable model for:

  • Increasing shift reliability

  • Reducing absenteeism

  • Improving employee engagement

  • Strengthening people-first culture across franchise operations

Escalate is designed for rapid rollout and seamless support across franchise groups of any size.

Contact Information

To learn more about the Escalate support platform or explore expansion opportunities:
www.escalateusa.com or sienna@escalateusa.com