ROGERS, Ark. — Onyx Coffee Lab has received the highest certification from Living Wage For US, making it the first company in Arkansas to earn this distinction.
The certificate recognized employers that pay all their employees a living wage without financial strain.
Denny Vizuet, a shift lead at Onyx, said he made the jump into coffee from banking, a switch he labels as "quite the change."
"We have our roasters, they do a great job, our barista team, our production team. It's just like a really unique space. And I just think it's a really amazing company to work for," Vizuet said.
Employees said it's not just the wage, but also the benefits that make Onyx a great place to work.
"When I started, they were talking about setting me up with an insurance plan. That surprised me, I was like, 'What do you mean insurance?'" Vizuet said.
Earning the certificate is an even more impressive feat when you consider the growth of Northwest Arkansas.
"There's definitely a thriving economy here in Northwest Arkansas, which is a very positive thing because of the opportunity it affords, but I think we can all agree that the cost of living here has increased as well," said Craig Lile, Onyx's chief operating officer.
Lile joined Onyx Coffee over a year ago. He says the care for the employees and even the ethical sourcing from coffee farmers started long ago.
"When I hear about Onyx partaking in these kinds of things, it's not surprising because they just kind of carry that ethic wherever they go," Vizuet said.
"The providing of more resources, better wages, and more benefits isn't something that just came up in the last six months. It's been something that's probably been going on since they started this 10 years ago," Lile said.
"We're doing the best we can for not only the product we're putting out but then also the people that are responsible for putting it out," Lile said.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, hospitality is consistently the lowest-paid industry in every state.
“This isn't about optics or accolades — it's about making a genuine, measurable difference in the lives of those who contribute to our growth every day,” said Co-Founder of Onyx Andrea Allen via a press release. “We view this certification as both an accomplishment and a starting point. It is an ongoing commitment to our team's well-being and prosperity, reinforcing our promise to not just sustain but elevate the living standards of our team members."
“We are excited by Onyx’s ongoing commitment to ensure all its workers earn a living wage and to provide leadership in the state of Arkansas to advance the living wage movement,” said the Founder of Living Wage for US Michelle Murray in a press release.
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