For multi-location restaurant operators, accepting EBT can open the door to significant new revenue and customer access—when implemented with the right safeguards in place. One Wendy’s franchise group in California, Cotti Foods, learned this firsthand after early fraud incidents with a previous provider revealed the risks of inadequate safeguards. After transitioning to goEBT, the organization saw immediate improvements in fraud protection, operational efficiency, and overall confidence. Their experience offers a valuable lesson for franchise groups looking to scale EBT acceptance the right way.
The Fraud Challenge Before goEBT
Before adopting goEBT, Cotti Foods launched EBT with a different provider. Almost immediately, stolen devices became a serious issue. In some cases, devices were taken from restaurant counters and used for fraudulent EBT refund transactions before anyone noticed they were missing. One incident led to roughly $7,000 in losses, while another reached nearly $15,000 before the team could intervene. Beyond the financial impact, the process of tracking down video, reconciling transactions, and escalating disputes created major stress for both operations and finance teams.
Why Cotti Foods Evaluated a New Solution
The team knew they needed a solution that had better fraud controls. Their previous setup depended heavily on managers noticing issues in real time and making manual calls to stop fraud. That was not sustainable for a busy QSR environment, especially when much of the business runs through the drive-thru and front-counter devices are not always under constant supervision.
Stopping Fraud with goEBT
After implementing goEBT, fraud prevention largely became a non-issue. As Blake Trivison explains, any device taken outside the restaurant’s geofenced perimeter automatically shuts down. While theft is still possible, the fraudulent refund activity that once drove significant losses is effectively eliminated. The franchise also benefits from configurable controls, including limits on refund amounts and transaction frequency, making it much easier to identify and investigate any suspicious behavior. In Blake’s words, the team has “really cut it down to nothing” when it comes to those large fraudulent refund losses.
The Operational Impact on Store Teams
The benefits extended beyond financial protection from fraud-related losses. goEBT also streamlined day-to-day operations, giving managers peace of mind that devices were secure without constant oversight and freeing finance teams from chasing down preventable fraud issues. Implementation proved seamless—especially in locations already accepting EBT—with field teams quickly adapting to devices that were intuitive and easy to support. For large franchise operators, that level of operational confidence can be just as impactful as the protection against fraud itself.
Why This Matters for Other Franchise Operators
For large restaurant groups, EBT acceptance is not only a payment decision — it is an operational one. The Wendy’s example shows that without the right controls, fraud can create avoidable losses, team frustration, and unnecessary complexity. With stronger safeguards in place, franchise operators can support EBT acceptance more confidently while protecting both store teams and the business itself. As more restaurant brands evaluate EBT programs, fraud prevention should be a core requirement, not an afterthought.
Featured Quote
“goEBT fraud prevention has been a big win for Wendy’s, our team, and the safety and security of our business. It’s allowed us to focus on the important things and not chase the unnecessary.” — Blake Trivison, VP of Marketing at Cotti Food.
A Smarter EBT Path for Franchise Operators, What’s Next for QSR Brands Evaluating EBT
For franchise groups considering EBT at scale, stronger fraud controls can have a direct impact on both profitability and peace of mind. goEBT helped this Wendy’s franchise group move from reactive fraud management to a more secure, confidence-driven operation — and that is the kind of operational value large operators should expect from an EBT processor. If your team is evaluating EBT acceptance across multiple locations, goEBT is worth a closer look.