PA Restaurant Chain Eliminates Buddy Punching Completely with iPad-based AI TimeClock for UKG/Kronos

Time theft has long been a hidden drain on businesses, but in industries like restaurants, retail, and hospitality, it can be especially damaging. According to the American Payroll Association, businesses lose up to 7% of their total payroll due to time theft [1], with buddy punching being a major contributor. In fact, APA also estimates that time theft, including buddy punching, costs U.S. employers approximately $11 billion annually [2].

A well-known restaurant chain in Pennsylvania faced this problem head-on. With over 15 busy locations across the state, the chain struggled with employees clocking in or out for their coworkers. This practice inflated payroll, undermined trust, and created resentment among honest staff. Leadership knew they needed a reliable solution that integrated seamlessly with their UKG Pro WFM (previously UKG Dimensions) system. That’s when they turned to CloudApper AI TimeClock.

Understanding the Buddy Punching Problem

Before adopting a new system, the restaurant chain relied on spreadsheets and manual inputs for recording time. Employees only needed to enter their clock-in and clock-out times, which made it easy for coworkers to “punch” on each other’s behalf.

The impact was serious:

• Payroll inflation caused by paying for hours not actually worked.

• Unfairness that demoralized honest employees who followed the rules.

• Managerial inefficiency due to constant disputes and time spent verifying attendance.

The leadership team estimated they were losing thousands of dollars monthly because of buddy punching, on top of the operational headaches it created.

The Search for a Reliable Solution

To eliminate buddy punching, the chain needed more than a basic time clock. They needed a modern solution that could:

• Verify employee identity at every punch.

• Integrate seamlessly with UKG Pro WFM (previously UKG Dimensions) for payroll accuracy.

• Scale easily across multiple restaurant locations.

CloudApper’s AI TimeClock, installed on iPads at strategic points in each restaurant, checked every box. Its advanced face ID recognition technology meant only the right employee could clock in or out, while integration with UKG Pro WFM guaranteed payroll accuracy.

How CloudApper AI TimeClock Works

Implementation was quick. Each location set up iPads running the CloudApper AI TimeClock app. Employees were enrolled by scanning their faces once during onboarding. From then on, clocking in or out became foolproof.

1. Spoofing-Proof Face Recognition

Employees punch in or out by scanning their faces. CloudApper AI TimeClock’s advanced facial recognition prevents spoofing attempts, ensuring only the actual employee can record attendance.

2. Real-Time Data Sync with UKG Pro WFM

The system records the exact time of every punch and sends it directly to UKG Pro WFM (previously UKG Dimensions). This seamless integration guarantees accurate payroll and up-to-date workforce records across all locations.

3. Weekly E-Signature Attestation

On the last working day of each week, when employees punch out, the AI TimeClock displays their full week’s attendance data. They provide an e-signature to confirm accuracy—removing disputes before they even begin.

The Results: Eliminating Buddy Punching for Good

Within the first three months of using CloudApper AI TimeClock, the Pennsylvania restaurant chain experienced measurable improvements:

• A 100% reduction in buddy punching cases across all 15 locations.

• Payroll savings of approximately 6%, closely matching APA’s national estimates of losses from time theft.

• A drop in attendance disputes by over 80%, thanks to weekly e-signature attestation.

• Fairness and efficiency boosted: secure facial recognition, automatic UKG data syncing, and employee sign-off created a transparent, dispute-free system that managers and employees trusted.

• Improved employee satisfaction scores, as staff felt reassured that paychecks were based on accurate, verifiable data.

Why Face Recognition Is the Future of Time Tracking

The restaurant chain’s success story is just one example of how AI-driven time tracking is transforming industries. Traditional punch cards, PINs, or even swipe badges can all be shared or manipulated. Face recognition eliminates that loophole.

For restaurants, where margins are tight and turnover is high, AI in workforce management delivers three critical benefits:

1. Accuracy: Only the right person can punch in or out.

2. Compliance: Precise records support labor law compliance.

3. Fairness: Honest employees aren’t punished for others’ dishonesty.

By using iPads instead of proprietary hardware, CloudApper also made deployment affordable and flexible—no more expensive clock machines that break or require costly upgrades.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Manage Time

Buddy punching is more than a minor inconvenience—it’s a multi-billion-dollar problem for U.S. employers. For this Pennsylvania restaurant chain, it was undermining profitability and employee trust.

By adopting CloudApper AI TimeClock for UKG Pro WFM (previously UKG Dimensions), the chain eliminated buddy punching completely, improved payroll accuracy, and boosted workforce morale. Their story shows that technology can solve problems that spreadsheets and manual processes never could.

Disclaimer: Due to privacy reasons, the identity of the person or company cannot be revealed.

Reference:

1. https://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/ask-the-expert/item/1048191-understanding-the-cost-of-buddy-punching-to-your-business
2. https://rebiz.com/solving-buddy-punching-and-boosting-retail/