For restaurant employees, access to pay isn’t just about payroll, it’s about everyday life.
At Cotton Patch Cafe, that understanding has shaped how the company approaches both tipping and wages. In Part 2 of the Instant Payments Podcast, Stephanie Callihan, CFO of Cotton Patch Cafe, shared how instant digital tips and earned wage access have improved the employee experience across nearly 50 locations in Texas and New Mexico.
Digital pay that matches how people live and work
Stephanie hears consistent feedback from team members, especially those who have worked at other jobs where pay is delayed. “People who have worked at places where they have to wait two weeks for their pay are frustrated,” she said. “With the rise of gig work, there’s an expectation of ‘this is my money, I should have access to it when I need it.’”
For Cotton Patch, digital pay simply reflects modern financial behavior. Nearly every transaction employees make today, from groceries to gas to online purchases, is already digital. “Everything in our lives is digital,” Stephanie noted. “It makes sense that pay should come in digitally too.”
Instant access to tips removes friction from everyday expenses and allows employees to use the money they’ve already earned, without fees or delays.
One platform that supports restaurant flexibility and growth
In a restaurant environment, roles aren’t static. Employees may serve one shift, work back-of-house the next, or move into management over time. Having different systems for tips and wages can create confusion and unnecessary complexity.
“You’re the only provider I know of that has both earned wage access and tips on the same card,” Stephanie said. “That’s huge for us because it reduces complexity for our teams and for our employees.”
Access to instant pay also plays an important role in career growth. Stephanie explained that some employees were hesitant to accept promotions if it meant losing immediate access to earnings. “Having same-day pay available helps bridge that gap,” she said, allowing team members to grow into new roles without worrying about sudden changes in cash flow.
It’s also a benefit for restaurant operations
From a finance and operations perspective, Cotton Patch found that daily access didn’t add burden, it simplified things. “The way your system works actually makes it really easy,” Stephanie shared. “We process payroll, and everything reconciles cleanly on the backend.”
The fee-free model made the decision even easier. “There’s no payday loan dynamic, no interest, no gotcha,” she said. “That makes it a no-brainer from the CFO seat.”
Stephanie also emphasized the importance of partnership. “I always tell people I speak very highly of your team,” she said. “They’re supportive, responsive, and were incredibly helpful during our Paycor integration and ongoing setup.”
For Cotton Patch Cafe, instant pay and digital tips aren’t just a technology upgrade, they’re a practical way to respect employees’ financial realities while keeping operations simple, compliant, and scalable.
🎧 Listen or watch the full conversation with Stephanie Callihan on the Instant Payments Podcast at instant.co/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
