AUSTIN -- Kickfin, the largest tip disbursement enabler in the U.S., today announced its official collaboration with Visa, the world leader in digital payments. Leveraging the combined technology of Kickfin and Visa Direct2 — Visa's real-time money movement network — service industry employers can send cashless tip payouts directly to their employees' existing bank accounts via eligible debit cards, 24/7/365.

Kickfin is the leading gratuity management platform for hospitality. National brands in the full-service, quick-service and fast-casual segments use Kickfin's digital tipping solution to improve recruiting and retention and help reduce operational challenges related to cash management.

Historically part of the full-service restaurant and hotel culture, tip programs are increasingly leveraged by quick-service restaurants as a means to increase employees' take-home earnings. However, the rise of credit card and digital transactions has made it difficult to pay out tips in cash at the end of every shift.

By digitizing tip payouts and distributing them in real time, directly to their employees' bank accounts, employers can reduce bank runs, reduce theft and human error, and streamline reporting — while increasing employee satisfaction. Kickfin's technology also ensures organizations remain compliant with complicated, ever-changing tip pooling regulations, and it integrates with existing POS and payroll systems.

"The hospitality workforce consists of frontline, essential employees. They need, deserve and quite frankly expect immediate access to their earnings," said Justin Roberts, co-CEO of Kickfin. "When employers offer real-time, cashless tip payouts, the message is clear: they care about the financial well-being of their employees. Kickfin provides a long-term, sustainable solution for the operational, recruiting and compliance needs of the modern hospitality employer, and we're excited to see how our collaboration with Visa will continue to transform the industry for the better."

"We live in a world with expectations of immediacy and convenience, necessitating the need for a global money movement network that is nonstop," said Yanilsa Gonzalez-Ore, SVP, North America Head of Visa Direct. "With Visa Direct, we're helping transform the next generation of global money movement and are excited to help bring fast, digitized tip disbursements to Kickfin's clients in the U.S."