That only reinforces my example. Employees don't get ahead by working hard, they get ahead by being an owner operator, which for a McDonald's franchise requires a minimum $0.5M personal investment. Who's saving $0.5M on employee wages? The owner-operators don't have to do the best job or work the hardest. Working as an employee gives them context and understanding of how employee jobs are done so they can better manage later, but neither putting in overtime nor doing the job well will change their outcomes.