Arkansas coffee shop pays employees ‘livable wage’

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The first-ever company in Arkansas has been recognized for paying its employees a “livable wage.”

Onyx Coffee Lab announced in a news release that they have received the highest certification from Living Wage for US , a third-party nonprofit helping businesses reach living wages for their employees.

People living in Washington County should be making $23.22 and people in Benton County $25.05 according to the Living Wage for Us map below .

The wage takes into consideration the “basic cost of living in the area where the business operates, ensuring that employees can afford essential needs like housing, food, health care, and transportation — without financial strain,” a news release states.

Single adults in Arkansas should be making $21.11 to live comfortably, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator. But that range jumps up when children are added. A SmartAsset study showed that Arkansans wanting to follow the 50/30/20 budget rule would have to make $38.20.

Onyx Coffee Labs has an e-commerce business, four cafes in Northwest Arkansas and one full-service restaurant.

“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 Andrea Allen, cofounder of Onyx. “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. As we celebrate this milestone, we are inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of what it means for Onyx to be a responsible and caring employer.”

Living Wage for US has companies follow a 24-page standard guidance. Michelle Murray, founder of Living Wage for US, said she is excited for Onyx’s ongoing commitment.

“Our Plus designation, granted to Onyx Coffee Lab, indicates that beyond providing a living wage, Onyx Coffee Lab is offering additional benefits to employees that could not be calculated toward living wage payment, showing that Onyx understands that a living wage should be a floor, not a ceiling when paying workers. Onyx presents a great case of how living wage payment and investment for workers is beneficial for employers, for workers, for communities and for all of us,” Murray said.

Living Wage For US, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Lilburn, Ga., and founded in 2021.

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