The Brass Tap and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, owned by FSC Franchise Co., reaffirm their employee-first culture by providing real-time1 access to tip earnings.

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Kickfin, the largest tip disbursement enabler in the U.S., today announced its partnership with FSC Franchise Co., which franchises more than 200 locations, to serve as the franchisor’s gratuity management platform.

Leveraging the combined technology of Kickfin and Visa Direct, FSC Franchise Co. can send real-time1, cashless tip payouts directly to their employees’ existing bank accounts.

“Cash tip payouts had become unworkable for our team, so we began exploring digital tipping solutions,” said Scott SirLouis, COO of FSC. “After running an RFP process, we selected Kickfin because it ensured our tipping program would be scalable and compliant across our entire organization. And most importantly, we had buy-in from our employees: when we surveyed our staff, 100% opted to get instant tip payouts through Kickfin.”

Kickfin is the only gratuity management platform that gives employees the power to choose how and when they want to receive their tips, so they are not limited to a third-party issued paycard. Brands like FSC Franchise Co., Marco’s Pizza, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Rock N’ Roll Sushi use Kickfin to improve recruiting and retention while eliminating operational challenges related to cash management.

Kickfin’s technology also ensures organizations remain compliant with complicated, ever-changing tip pooling regulations, and integrates with existing POS and payroll systems. Kickfin customers have saved 5-15 hours per manager, per location every week.

“Many hospitality employees have chosen to work in this industry because they get access to their earnings after every shift,” said Justin Roberts, co-CEO of Kickfin. “As restaurants struggle to pay out cash tips, it’s critical that they digitize their tip payment program to ensure that their staff continue to get immediate access to their tips. Brands like FSC Franchise Co. are setting a new standard for employers that understand the importance of prioritizing the needs of their people and modernizing their operations.”

ABOUT FSC FRANCHISE CO
FSC Franchise Co. is the industry-leading franchisor behind Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap, with nearly 200 locations across the United States. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, with 143 locations in 21 states, is a family sports pub concept that provides the perfect atmosphere for friends and families to watch the game and grab a bite. The Brass Tap, a craft beer bar and entertainment venue with 44 current locations in 16 states, is known for extensive localized brewery offerings, specialty cocktails and premium wines paired perfectly with a select menu of upscale shareables.

ABOUT KICKFIN
Ranked the #1 tipping software, Kickfin is the nation’s largest provider of instant, cashless tip payments. Restaurants, bars and hotels use Kickfin to digitally accept, calculate and tip-out their employees in real-time. By removing cash from the tip payment process, businesses can focus on delighting their customers — while maximizing the earning potential of their people.

1 Actual fund availability depends on receiving financial institution and region.

What the Support Portal means for you

First things first: Keep in mind that our support team (made of living, breathing humans) is always here for Kickfin users — and we’re continuing to grow so that we can keep pace with our ever-expanding customer base.

But the Kickfin Support Portal gives you a new “self-service” option. In other words: If you have a question or need product guidance, you’ve now got a wealth of easy-to-navigate product knowledge at your fingertips, so it’s likely you can resolve your issue without ever needing to create a support case.

Every Kickfin customer now has 24/7 access to the Support Portal, which includes:

• Articles and frequently asked questions
• Training videos and playlists
• Case management, where you can open a new support request or view an existing one

AUSTIN, Texas (June 23, 2022) — Kickfin, the leading gratuity management software for hospitality, today announced it has secured its Series A funding to further accelerate the company’s rapid growth.

Silverton Partners led the round, with participation from Acronym Venture Capital—following a seed round led by Loomis U.S.—which brings Kickfin’s total funding to $11 million.

“The explosive growth we’ve achieved is a testament to hospitality’s need and desire to remove cash from the tipping process,” said Justin Roberts, Kickfin co-founder. “In partnership with our investors, Kickfin will continue on its path to becoming the new status quo for tip distribution,” said co-founder Brian Hassan.

“Kickfin is the ultimate win-win solution: It removes costly inefficiencies for employers, while ensuring frontline hospitality workers get paid the way they want to get paid. We’re thrilled to partner with Kickfin and provide a platform for growth as they continue to revolutionize employee payments in this space,” said Roger Chen, General Partner at Silverton Partners.

Launched in 2017, Kickfin eliminates the operational burdens of cash tipping for every type of hospitality outlet, while fostering the financial security of employees. Brands like Marco’s Pizza, Twin Peaks, Melting Pot and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux use Kickfin to send real-time, cashless tip payouts directly to their employees’ bank of choice, 24/7, 365.

In the past year, Kickfin has experienced exponential growth across the full-service, fast casual and quick-service hospitality segments. According to data provided by Visa, Kickfin ranked number one in transaction count and volume for tip disbursements in 2021. Kickfin’s customers span every type of outlet, including fine dining, cafes and coffee shops, pizza and delivery, hotels, stadiums, event venues, airport concessions and country clubs.

By digitizing tip payouts and distributing them in real time, employers can eliminate bank runs, reduce theft and human error, and streamline reporting—all while increasing employee satisfaction. Kickfin’s technology also ensures organizations remain compliant with complicated, ever-changing tip pooling regulations, and it integrates with existing POS and payroll systems.

“Cashless transactions have created new challenges for hospitality businesses,” said Joshua B. Siegel, General Partner of Acronym Venture Capital. “With Kickin, we saw a solution that greatly reduces expenses, eliminates a critical pain point for management, and gives workers real-time access to daily tip earnings—a significant portion of their earnings—while eliminating hidden and predatory fees. We are excited to back Brian and Justin as they continue to build Kickfin to increase frontline worker’s take-home pay.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Keely Hungate
VP Marketing, Kickfin
423.802.3662
keely@kickfin.com

ABOUT KICKFIN

Kickfin is the leading gratuity management software. Restaurant and hospitality brands across the country use Kickfin to tip out employees in real-time, directly to their bank accounts — no cash required. Solve for cash shortages, reduce the risk of theft and human error, and recruit more workers by giving your team immediate access to their tips. Visit kickfin.com/demo to learn more.

ABOUT SILVERTON PARTNERS

Silverton Partners is focused on funding and mentoring early-stage businesses led by founders who share in its commitment to disrupt growth markets and build enduring companies. Founded in 2006, the firm brings the benefits of its vast network and decades of rich experience to each partnership. Austin-based Silverton is the most active venture capital investor in Texas and has been the initial investor behind visionary companies including AlertMedia, Billie, WP Engine, SailPoint, Silicon Labs, Storable, Vacasa, Self Financial, Wheel, and The Zebra. For more information, visit www.silvertonpartners.com.

ABOUT ACRONYM VENTURE CAPITAL

Acronym Venture Capital invests in technology and omni-channel consumer companies that have achieved at least $1m in ARR across Late Seed and Series A rounds of financing. Acronym seeks to invest in startups that focus on sustainable growth in sectors where we can leverage our network to assist with revenue-generating relationships. For more information, visit www.acronymvc.com.

With Kickfin and Visa Direct, employers can distribute real-time*, cashless tip payouts directly to their employees’ bank accounts.

AUSTIN, May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Kickfin, the largest tip disbursement enabler in the U.S., today announced its official collaboration with Visa, the world leader in digital payments. Leveraging the combined technology of Kickfin and Visa Direct** — Visa’s real-time money movement network — service industry employers can send cashless tip payouts directly to their employees’ existing bank accounts via eligible debit cards, 24/7/365.

Kickfin is the leading gratuity management platform for hospitality. National brands in the full-service, quick-service and fast-casual segments use Kickfin’s digital tipping solution to improve recruiting and retention and help reduce operational challenges related to cash management.

With Kickfin and Visa Direct, employers distribute real-time, cashless tip payouts directly to their employees’ bank accounts

Historically part of the full-service restaurant and hotel culture, tip programs are increasingly leveraged by quick-service restaurants as a means to increase employees’ take-home earnings. However, the rise of credit card and digital transactions has made it difficult to pay out tips in cash at the end of every shift.

By digitizing tip payouts and distributing them in real time, directly to their employees’ bank accounts, employers can reduce bank runs, reduce theft and human error, and streamline reporting — while increasing employee satisfaction. Kickfin’s technology also ensures organizations remain compliant with complicated, ever-changing tip pooling regulations, and it integrates with existing POS and payroll systems.

“The hospitality workforce consists of frontline, essential employees. They need, deserve and quite frankly expect immediate access to their earnings,” said Justin Roberts, co-CEO of Kickfin. “When employers offer real-time, cashless tip payouts, the message is clear: they care about the financial well-being of their employees. Kickfin provides a long-term, sustainable solution for the operational, recruiting and compliance needs of the modern hospitality employer, and we’re excited to see how our collaboration with Visa will continue to transform the industry for the better.”

“We live in a world with expectations of immediacy and convenience, necessitating the need for a global money movement network that is nonstop,” said Yanilsa Gonzalez-Ore, SVP, North America Head of Visa Direct. “With Visa Direct, we’re helping transform the next generation of global money movement and are excited to help bring fast, digitized tip disbursements to Kickfin’s clients in the U.S.”

ABOUT KICKFIN
Kickfin is the leading gratuity management software. Restaurant and hospitality brands across the country use Kickfin to tip out employees in real-time, directly to their bank accounts — no cash required. Solve for cash shortages, reduce the risk of theft and human error, and recruit more workers by giving your team immediate access to their tips. Visit kickfin.com/visa-payouts to schedule a free demo today.

* Actual fund availability depends on receiving financial institution and region
** Visa Direct capability enabled through Kickfin’s financial institution partner