Ziosk's Culture-First Approach Earns Top Workplace Award in DFW

PLANO, TX – February 17, 2026 – Ziosk, a pioneer in pay-at-the-table technology for the restaurant industry, has been named a 2025 Top Workplace in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The recognition, based entirely on confidential employee feedback, highlights the company’s focus on building a high-performing, people-first culture in the fiercely competitive hospitality tech sector.

The Anatomy of a Top Workplace

The award is not the result of a panel of judges or a company-submitted application, but rather a direct reflection of employee sentiment. The distinction is managed by Energage LLC, an employee engagement technology partner, which administers a confidential survey to gauge employee feelings across a spectrum of crucial metrics. These include categories like "Respected & Supported," "Enabled to Grow," and "Empowered to Execute."

To earn recognition, companies must not only meet a high employee response threshold but also surpass national benchmarks compiled from over 18 years of culture research. According to the announcement, Ziosk employees rated the company highly, citing its innovative culture, collaborative environment, and a strong sense of connection to a shared mission.

“We’re extremely proud to be named one of the Top Workplaces in DFW, and even more proud that this distinction is driven by feedback from our employees,” said Ziosk CEO Rhonda Levene in a statement. “We’re committed to creating a truly diverse and innovative culture where different perspectives are welcomed and valued, and we’re thrilled that our employees are benefitting from these efforts.”

This sentiment was echoed by Kristi Blass, Ziosk’s Sr. Director of People & Culture, who emphasized the team's role in the company's success. “Our people are the heartbeat of Ziosk. Their passion brings purpose and meaning to every guest experience,” Blass stated. “This Top Workplaces award belongs to them and reflects their hard work, dedication, and spirit.”

Culture as a Competitive Edge in Hospitality

Ziosk's achievement comes at a time when workplace culture has become a critical battleground, particularly within the hospitality industry. The sector is famously plagued by high employee turnover, with some reports citing annual rates exceeding 70%. This "revolving door" creates significant operational challenges, from increased hiring costs to inconsistent service, ultimately impacting the bottom line.

Industry analysts note that businesses with highly engaged workforces see marked improvements in both profitability and customer loyalty. The modern philosophy of treating "employees as the first guests"—prioritizing their well-being, development, and recognition—is seen as the foundation for delivering exceptional external customer service. In a field where technology is designed to streamline the dining experience, a disengaged development team is less likely to create the seamless, intuitive products that restaurants and their patrons demand.

By securing an award based on employee validation, Ziosk positions its internal culture not just as a human resources metric, but as a strategic asset. It suggests that the company’s investment in its people directly fuels the innovation required to thrive.

Navigating a Crowded and Dynamic Market

This focus on internal strength is crucial for navigating the dynamic restaurant technology landscape. As a trailblazer in pay-at-the-table solutions, Ziosk processes over $17 billion in transactions annually and engages with more than a billion guests each year through its hardware and software platforms, including its signature tablets and the newer Drop & Pay™ Digital Check Presenter.

However, the company operates in a crowded field. It faces stiff competition from all-in-one platforms like Toast and Square, as well as other specialized players such as Presto and NCR. The global market for restaurant point-of-sale (POS) terminals is projected to grow significantly, with estimates suggesting it could double in value to over $50 billion by 2034. This growth is fueled by relentless demand for digital payments, cloud-based systems, and AI-driven analytics that promise greater operational efficiency.

In this environment, sustained innovation is not optional. Companies must constantly evolve to meet the needs of restaurants seeking to optimize table turnover, manage labor, and gain deeper insights into customer behavior. Ziosk's ability to retain and motivate top talent, as suggested by the Top Workplaces award, is therefore directly linked to its capacity to develop and deploy next-generation hospitality solutions.

The Reality Behind the Recognition

While the Top Workplaces award provides a powerful, positive data point, the journey to a celebrated culture is often complex. Like many firms in the fast-paced technology sector, Ziosk's public profile includes a varied history of employee sentiment. Online review platforms, which capture individual and often anonymous experiences over several years, show mixed ratings. Categories such as pay and benefits, as well as management, have historically received average scores.

However, the confidential nature of the Energage survey is designed to capture a more holistic and current snapshot of the workforce than public forums, which can be influenced by a minority of highly positive or negative experiences. The award's methodology requires a high participation rate, ensuring the results reflect a broad segment of the employee base rather than a vocal few.

Furthermore, more recent public feedback appears to align more closely with the award's positive findings, with employees noting an "inventive atmosphere" and a caring environment. This suggests a potential positive evolution in the company's culture, culminating in the formal recognition. Ziosk’s success in the 2025 survey indicates that, for the majority of its current team, the company is successfully delivering on its promise of a supportive and empowering workplace, a critical factor for its future growth in the competitive DFW tech hub.