The daily rush at a McDonald’s drive-through in Morningside, Md. is handled efficiently by employees like Ebert Velasquez Ramos, even though he faces transportation challenges. Without a car, Velasquez Ramos sometimes relies on a startup called Escalate, which offers Uber vouchers and other forms of support for workers needing last-minute rides.

Escalate is the initiative of Sienna Daniel and Sean Segal, who have a background in nonprofits. They noted that despite helping people gain job skills, workers still struggled with issues like unreliable transportation and childcare, which affected job retention.

Seeing this, Daniel and Segal founded Escalate with the aim of reducing absenteeism, an issue that can be costly for employers due to disruptions and the need for overtime. In 2025, Maryland granted Escalate the opportunity to pilot its app with a McDonald’s franchise in Prince George’s County. The pilot aimed to help employees mitigate emergencies, whether through Uber vouchers or support for grocery and childcare needs.

Using the app has proven beneficial for the McDonald’s franchise operated by Mary Hopkins-Navies and her daughter, Imani Ford. They’ve faced challenges with employees calling out, which affects the business significantly, leading to costs estimated at $300 per missed shift.

Initially, usage of the Escalate app was sluggish due to skepticism and language barriers. Recognizing the need, the app was translated into Spanish, fostering better adoption. A significant winter storm further validated the app’s usefulness; employees who otherwise would have missed work used it to procure Uber rides.

One such employee, Veronica Allmon, who typically commutes via electric scooter, used the app during the storm. She appreciates the support it provides, saying it’s a key reason she didn’t miss work and advanced to a managerial role.

Despite the potential for misuse, Escalate maintains measures to ensure fair use. Employees are typically allowed three requests a month, after which they receive guidance to resolve longer-term issues. On average, over 80% of requests involve transportation assistance.

Since the pilot, the franchise continues to subscribe to Escalate. The cost includes a $250 monthly fee per location and $250 monthly for vouchers and gift cards. The service is estimated to save the franchise about $35,000 monthly in callout costs.

Escalate is exploring expansion, utilizing overseas coaches and AI to keep costs manageable. Discussions are ongoing with other McDonald’s franchises and businesses in various sectors. Continued success shows that providing employees with critical support goes a long way in fostering workplace loyalty and efficiency.