Ferry Reimagines Restaurant Payroll with Highnote

How Ferry used Highnote’s platform to reinvent restaurant payroll, delivering same-day pay and financial access to thousands of workers nationwide.

The Vision: Immediate Pay, Better Workplaces

Ferry didn’t start as a fintech company. It started with a simple request from a large publicly-traded casual dining restaurant company:

They needed a better way to pay their employees, one that didn’t involve biweekly cycles, tip-out delays, or stacks of cash in the back office.

“We were asked to turn a working solution into a real business,” said Miranda Graeme, Director of Operations at Ferry. “It started with a tip-out portal. But it became so much more.”

Ferry’s mission became clear: empower hourly workers with real-time pay and financial tools, while giving restaurant operators a more efficient, compliant, and scalable system.

But to do that, Ferry needed more than just a card. They needed a true product-platform partner. One flexible enough to support both complex operations and worker trust.

The Challenge: Scaling Pay Without the Banking Burden

Most payroll cards come with one big catch: onboarding friction.

Traditional debit cards require KYC, long approval cycles, and multiple days to go live, which just doesn’t work for restaurant workers who need to get paid today. And many of these workers don’t have traditional bank accounts or are new to the U.S.

Ferry tried working with other processors, but kept running into the same roadblocks. Too rigid. Too slow. Not built for scale, or for restaurants.

This large national restaurant chain needed a solution that could work on Day One, across hundreds of locations. So did Ferry.

The Solution: Seamless Card Platform with Highnote

Ferry turned to Highnote, and found the partner they needed.

“With Highnote, we could ship cards directly to restaurant locations, and employees could start getting paid the same day they got hired.” Miranda Graeme, Director of Operations at Ferry

Highnote’s platform delivered:

• White-labeled payroll cards with minimal lift
• Instant transfers and internal balance movement
• No-friction onboarding via pre-KYC’d employer data
• Compliant templates and policy support for fast, secure launch

“We were two people at the time, and not lawyers,” Miranda added. “Highnote’s compliance team and tooling made it possible for us to get up and running quickly, and safely.”

Results: Faster Pay, Stronger Retention, Lower Costs

Ferry launched across 200+ restaurant locations, and the impact has been immediate:

• Same-Day Pay: Workers get tips and wages instantly after every shift
• Earned Wage Access: No more payday loans and employees access their earnings as they earn them
• Reduced Cash Handling: Restaurants save time, cost, and risk with digital payouts
• Stronger Retention: Real-time pay has become a hiring differentiator

“Where would you rather work — a place where you get paid that night, or one that makes you wait two weeks?” — Miranda Graeme

What’s Next: From Payroll to Financial Wellness

As Ferry continues to grow, the company is focused on expanding its impact with more tools and capabilities that meet workers where they are.

On the roadmap:

• Savings accounts and financial literacy tools
• Investment education for first-time earners
• All-in-one financial access for unbanked and underbanked workers

“Our users want Ferry to be their financial home,” Miranda said. “Highnote helps us build the foundation.”

And by giving workers real-time access to their own earnings, Ferry is helping reduce reliance on payday loans, and changing how frontline employees experience financial freedom.

A New Standard for Restaurant Payroll

Ferry is solving more than payroll. They’re solving trust.

With Highnote as their product partner, Ferry is delivering a magical experience for restaurants and workers alike: one where pay is instant, access is universal, and scale is seamless.

“Ferry wins. Our restaurant partners win. Our cardholders win. And Highnote? They’ve been with us every step of the way.” — Miranda Graeme