Free Education Benefits Are Papa John’s Secret Sauce to Boosting Frontline Employee Retention

May 10, 2024 – In article for Fortune about Papa Johns’ free education benefits for frontline employees through EdAssist by Bright Horizons, the author interviews Papa Johns’ chief people and diversity officer Elias Reyna about the positive impact it’s had on workers’ careers and speaks with multiple Papa Johns’ team members who have utilized the benefit firsthand.

Pizza chain Papa John’s offers a no-cost virtual education program for its workers called “Dough & Degrees,” in partnership with EdAssist, an education benefits provider owned by childcare services company Bright Horizons. Employees can finish high school, get a professional certificate, or even earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree.

The program has also proven to be great for retention. Around 78% of people who have taken courses are still employed at Papa John’s. Frontline service workers in restaurants make up 80% of program participants, and that group of workers have stayed at the company more than twice as long as those who don’t participate. 

Read the full article here.