Onyx Coffee Lab Leads the Way for Equitable Pay in Arkansas

Specialty roaster becomes first in state to earn highest Living Wage For Us certification

ROGERS, Ark.— Onyx Coffee Lab has achieved the highest certification from Living Wage for Us, formalizing its commitment to equitable pay for its staff. Onyx is the first company in Arkansas to earn this distinction.

This certification is a recognition given to employers who voluntarily commit to paying all employees a living wage — defined as a wage that covers 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. The certification is awarded by an independent, third-party organization that evaluates whether the wages paid by a company meet or exceed the minimum financial requirements needed for a worker to live a dignified, financially secure life, according to Living Wage For Us, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Lilburn, Ga., and founded in 2021.

The Onyx team has been working with Living Wage For Us more than a year to ensure it meets the rigorous requirements of the certification.

“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 Michelle Murray, founder of Living Wage for Us. “All the data estimating this wage is not only recalculated annually based on changes in cost of living in partnership with the Economic Policy Institute, but the methodology behind those calculations is reviewed by a range of stakeholders including labor representatives, employers, and civil society actors, and shared publicly along with our data to ensure that Living Wage for Us estimates accurately represent the pay needed for a decent standard of living for a worker and their families. 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.”

Commitment to employee welfare

“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.”

Hospitality is consistently the lowest-paid industry in every state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This trend is often due to low profit margins which are often exacerbated by fluctuating market conditions and high operational costs.  

Strategic growth and financial stability

Onyx’s 2017 expansion beyond its cafes into e-commerce played a pivotal role in this achievement. By intentionally broadening its revenue streams, Onyx has secured a more robust and diversified financial foundation, which enabled a sustainable investment in its workforce and ensured that growth in the digital marketplace translated into enhanced prosperity for its team members.  

In addition to its e-commerce business, Onyx operates four cafes in northwest Arkansas and one full-service restaurant.

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ABOUT LIVING WAGE FOR US 

Living Wage For Us strives to create communities invested in their workers. The organization helps employers understand how to pay living wages in a way that benefits their workers and their communities. Its mission is to overcome the barriers and create incentives to enable employers to pay living wages, affording a decent quality of life for working families. 

ABOUT ONYX COFFEE LAB 

Specialty coffee is more than a luxurious experience; it's a catalyst for change in the coffee industry and beyond. Onyx Coffee Lab, headquartered in Rogers, Ark., is committed to blending creativity with ethical practices