Chipotle believes the program will go a long way toward instilling company loyalty. For the industry, these are the best and worst of times. They've had to put enormous effort into doing a better job of compensating all employees on a unit level. A 1999 study by management consultant Hewitt Associates based in Lincolnshire, Ill., confirms that companies are providing bigger and better benefits to hourly workers. They've emerged as an essential part of the work force and are beginning to reap the rewards.
Financial compensation remains the biggest draw for hourly employees.
But more than a healthy paycheck is required to win the loyalty of hourly wage earners. Cheesecake units provide them with medical and dental insurance, historically compensations reserved for the industry's salaried employees. They also qualify for vacation benefits. Johnny Carino's Country Italian offers hourly wage earners insurance benefits after the first year of employment. After five years, the company picks up all premium costs.