In the foodservice industry, restaurant employees’ cellphones have long been a source of distraction, with strict policies often easily circumvented. Former QSR franchisees Natalia Micheletti and Tim Hylton, who estimate cellphone distractions cost their businesses nearly $150,000 annually, saw a different approach needed. They created Pryze, an employee engagement platform using gamification, rewards, and competition to motivate workers to stay focused and aligned with business goals.
Gamification as an Alternative to Phone Policies
Pryze’s redesigned platform encourages hourly workers to start shifts by selecting management-defined goals, such as increasing average ticket sizes or suggesting add-ons. During focus sessions, employees earn points for staying off their phones and achieving these goals, which can be redeemed for rewards. “The same device that normally pulls attention away becomes the thing that rewards focus,” Micheletti explained.
The system aims to transform the motivation behind phone use from avoidance to participation. By linking personal rewards to task completion, the platform shifts the balance from punitive measures to incentive-driven engagement. This approach addresses turnover challenges, which Micheletti describes as an engagement issue rather than merely a disciplinary one. The platform also uses location checks to verify employee presence during shifts, ensuring it functions as an engagement tool, not a surveillance system.
Success Stories and Ethical Considerations
A Paris Baguette franchisee saw a 31% year-over-year sales increase after implementing Pryze in 2025. The platform enabled the selection of products to promote and daily performance tracking, leading to a 17% rise in croissant sales and a tripling of beverage revenue, generating over $19,000 in incremental income. Similarly, a multi-unit McDonald’s franchisee reported a 47% boost in employee retention within three months of adoption. Micheletti noted that the system’s design avoids invasive practices by limiting data collection to shift hours.
Industry Challenges in Employee Focus and Data Utilization
Foodservice manufacturers now access unprecedented data volumes, yet linking commercial activity to operator purchasing decisions remains difficult. Experts Suzanne Cwik and Art Bell discuss strategies for measuring effectiveness and enhancing trade investments through behavioral insights on The Food Institute Podcast.