9 fast food companies that give their employees some of the best perks - from a pound of free coffee a week to paid trips around the world

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9 fast food companies that give their employees some of the best perks - from a pound of free coffee a week to paid trips around the world

Starbucks barista

Ted S. Warren/AP Images

Starbucks employees can get a pound of free coffee every week.

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  • The fast food business isn't exactly known for doling out a ton of perks - or high pay.
  • But there are some exceptions among major fast food giants.
  • Check out some of the best perks that fast food workers at companies like Starbucks and Chick-fil-A get.

Fast food isn't known for being the easiest industry to work in.

In fact, employees from fast food giants have participated in a lengthy Fight for 15 campaign to demand that companies pay them a living wage.

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But that doesn't mean that it's all gloom and doom for fast food workers. Some companies do provide employees with appealing benefits.

Here's a look at some of the top perks in the fast food business:

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Taco Bell will award $3 million in scholarships this year

Taco Bell will award $3 million in scholarships this year

The Taco Bell Foundation established its Live Más Scholarship for Restaurant Employees back in 2016.

This year, Taco Bell will give millions to its scholarship program

This year, Taco Bell will give millions to its scholarship program

According to the company's website, the scholarship is not based on grades and involves no essays or test scores.

Instead, they are looking for "the innovators, creators and dreamers."

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In-N-Out managers get to travel the world

In-N-Out managers get to travel the world

In-N-Out employees don't just bring home bigger paychecks than most fast food employees.

Thrillist reported that In-N-Out managers who meet their goals get to embark on free trips.

Some employees also earn free trips to theme parks

Some employees also earn free trips to theme parks

"Store managers who hit all their targets are rewarded to lavish vacations," former In-N-Out manager Brittany Brown-Doherty wrote in a Delishably post. "Last year, my friends and former managers were treated to a paid 12-day vacation to Munich; this year, they were treated to Scotland."

Brown-Doherty added that employees at successful In-N-Out locations are also treated to free theme park visits.

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Dairy Queen employees get paid to celebrate their birthdays

Dairy Queen employees get paid to celebrate their birthdays

Blizzard Fan Club members can snag a free Dairy Queen blizzard on their birthdays.

And Dairy Queen employees can take a paid day off on their big day. According to the chain's website, the same goes for the anniversary of an employee joining the Dairy Queen team.

Chick-fil-A has given out scholarships to 36,000 employees since 1973

Chick-fil-A has given out scholarships to 36,000 employees since 1973

Chick-fil-A has helped thousands of people get through college over the years.

According to the company's Chicken Wire, 36,000 employees have "received a scholarship to attend the college, university or technical school of their choice" through Chick-fil-A since 1973.

Chick-fil-A's "Remarkable Futures" program allows employees to receive up to $25,000 in scholarships.

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McDonald's crew members can save money through a company-exclusive online portal

McDonald's crew members can save money through a company-exclusive online portal

McDonald's has an online program that gives out discounts on everything from cell phones to Six Flags tickets.

McDPerks is the fast food giant's free online portal for crew members at both corporate and franchise restaurants.

According to a former employee, crew members could snag 'hundreds' of discounts

According to a former employee, crew members could snag 'hundreds' of discounts

Former McDonald's department manager-in-training Cody Dostal wrote on Quora that, in his experience, McDPerks could get you "... 20% off at Verizon and AT&T, and hundreds of other discounts."

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Kentucky Fried Chicken grants employees a personal finance app

Kentucky Fried Chicken grants employees a personal finance app

The KFC Foundation wants to help the chain's employees stretch their paychecks as far as they can.

The Penny Hoarder reported that the organization launched the personal finance app MyChange, with the goal of "educating and empowering employees about key elements of their personal finance, and helping them make smarter decisions."

The app features budgeting tools and allows users to connect with financial coaches.

At Popeyes, you'll make some extra dough on your work anniversary

At Popeyes, you'll make some extra dough on your work anniversary

At Popeyes, it pays to stick around.

The fast food chain's official website listed "cash awards on your employment anniversary" as one of its employee perks.

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Starbucks helps put its employees through college ...

Starbucks helps put its employees through college ...

At Starbucks, benefits-eligible employees can take advantage of the company's College Achievement Plan. The program covers tuition costs for Starbucks employees attending a bachelor's degree program at Arizona State University's online programs.

... and provides them with free coffee beans

... and provides them with free coffee beans

Starbucks has a few other perks, too. According to the coffee chain's website, employees are entitled to "one free pound of coffee, box of K-Cup Packs or tea a week."

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Panda Express hooks employees up with discounted theme park trips

Panda Express hooks employees up with discounted theme park trips

According to Panda Express's website, all employees of the fast food chain can receive discounted theme park passes, movie tickets, phones, and gym memberships through the company.