91% of Frontline Employees Activated from Day One for Wahaca

91%

ACTIVATION RATE

Using Connect by Cocentric, 91% of Wahaca’s frontline employees successfully activated their accounts on Launch Day, connecting their team like never before.

110,000

MESSAGES SENT

In just four months, more than 110,000 messages were exchanged, fostering seamless communication and collaboration across all locations.

85%

LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT

85% of leadership, including the CEO and senior management, regularly engage with employees through the platform, fostering a culture of transparency and connection.

91% of Frontline Employees Activated from Day One for Wahaca

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"Connect transformed our employee activation process, achieving a 91% rate in three months."

Company Overview

Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca kicked off 2022 by revolutionising its internal communications. With over twenty locations across the UK and more than 800 staff, Wahaca and their sister brand, DF Tacos—collectively known as the WDF Family—were on a mission to unite their workforce like never before. They needed a solution that went beyond basic communication, aiming to build a culture of transparency, authenticity, and connection.

The Challenge

Before partnering with Cocentric, Wahaca faced significant communication challenges:

No Direct Communication Channels: While head office and managers communicated through email, the majority of the WDF Family, especially frontline staff, were disconnected. There was no platform for two-way communication, making it difficult for team members to share ideas, feedback, or simply connect with peers.
Overreliance on WhatsApp: WhatsApp was the go-to for rota changes and key updates, but it lacked structure, scalability, and the security needed for business communication.
Disconnected Culture: Wahaca wanted to empower their frontline employees by giving them a voice and creating a culture of open dialogue. They aimed to foster an environment where everyone, regardless of their role, could feel connected to leadership and aligned with brand values.

The Solution

Cocentric stepped in as a strategic partner to bridge these communication gaps. Using their expertise in employee engagement and digital transformation, Cocentric helped Wahaca deploy a tailored digital employee experience solution, integrating Connect by Cocentric for seamless account activation and enhanced communication.

Here’s how Cocentric made it happen:

Strategic Consultancy and Planning: Cocentric worked closely with Wahaca to understand their communication needs and culture. They crafted a customised deployment plan to ensure a smooth rollout.
Group Structure and Governance: Cocentric provided guidance on structuring communication groups, setting clear policies, and establishing governance to maintain a safe and positive digital environment.
Project Team Training: They trained Wahaca’s project team to efficiently manage the platform, empowering them to engage employees effectively.
Seamless Account Activation with Connect by Cocentric: A key differentiator was the integration of Connect by Cocentric. This allowed Wahaca’s predominantly frontline workforce to activate their accounts easily via smartphone using their existing HR system. This meant no complicated logins—just quick and easy access to the platform.
Engaging Launch Strategy: Cocentric helped Wahaca plan a memorable launch, including an event at Hijingo Bingo for general managers and head office staff, complete with a trip to Mexico giveaway. Physical communications, including QR codes linked to Connect’s activation portal, were distributed across all branches to encourage participation from day one.

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The Result

With Connect by Cocentric, Wahaca didn’t just launch a communication platform—they transformed their workplace culture. Here’s what changed:

Unifying Communication and Leadership Engagement: For the first time, Wahaca achieved truly two-way communication. Their CEO and co-founder became an active voice, regularly sharing updates on social events, branch reviews, milestone anniversaries, and visits to different locations. This authentic leadership presence helped employees feel more connected to the brand's mission and values.
Video Storytelling: Wahaca embraced video content to bring their culture to life. From behind-the-scenes clips of taco-making to highlights from the company summer party, video posts created an engaging and relatable communication style that resonated with their team.
Local Hubs for Every Branch: Each Wahaca and DF Tacos location now has its own group, acting as a digital hub for updates, incentives, and community-building. Company news is shared in a dedicated newsgroup, while their ‘WDF Family Fun’ group has become the heart of culture-building activities. These two groups consistently rank as the highest-engaged groups across the platform.
A Shift Away from WhatsApp: By integrating Connect by Cocentric, Wahaca successfully transitioned from informal WhatsApp chats to a more structured and compliant communication channel. Within the first four months, over 110,000 messages were exchanged, significantly reducing the dependency on WhatsApp and ensuring more secure and organised internal communication.

By partnering with us and implementing Connect by Cocentric, Wahaca didn’t just solve a communication problem—they redefined their employee engagement strategy. Our people-first approach tallowed Wahaca to empower their staff, build a more connected community, and maintain their vibrant, people-first culture.

Ready to see how Cocentric can transform your workplace communication?
Reach out and let us help you find a more engaging way to connect your team.