Startup’s app supplies rides and aid to curb fast-food staff absences

Escalate, a startup founded by Sienna Daniel and Sean Segal, launched an app that lets hourly employees request immediate assistance for issues like transportation, groceries or childcare. A Maryland grant funded a six-month trial with the Hopkins-Navies Ford Management McDonald’s franchise across seven Prince George’s County restaurants. Workers such as new hire Ebert Velasquez Ramos used Uber vouchers to reach shifts, and during a January ice storm the app proved vital for staff like Veronica Allmon.

Franchise owners Imani Ford and Mary Hopkins-Navies say the tool dramatically reduced last-minute absences, saving an estimated $35,000 monthly in avoided overtime and lost sales. After the pilot, the franchise now pays $250 per store each month for the service, plus the cost of the vouchers, while Escalate limits usage to three requests per employee per month and offers coaching for repeat needs. The company is expanding the model to other retailers and manufacturers and plans to promote it at a national McDonald’s operators meeting in Atlanta.