Top Benefits of Pay at Table Technology for Restaurants
Pay-at-the-table technology is becoming increasingly popular in restaurants and dining establishments across the US. While this type of technology has been commonplace in other countries, such as the UK, for many years, the benefits of this technology and its integration into payment systems within the US are just beginning to emerge.
According to SquareUp.com, only 42% of restaurants currently use EMV chip technology. Although an exact figure for the number of restaurants that have adopted this payment method remains unclear, a 2024 survey found that nearly nine out of ten Americans use digital payments as their preferred payment method today.
With this in mind, it makes sense to offer easier, more flexible, and secure payment options for diners rather than the current weighted transaction being processed.
What is pay-at-table technology?
Pay at the table technology is all about convenience. It eliminates the need for customers to wait for a server to visit them, to go to a separate checkout desk, or for the server to take the customer's card to process payment elsewhere in the restaurant. The payment terminal is brought to the table by the server, where payments are processed, making it easier for both the server and the customer to accept payments.
But the mobile POS terminal is just one of the many pay-at-table options available. In addition to a mobile point of sale, which is powered by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity to accept payments and stay connected, you can also use a QR code printed on a paper check.
This means the server presents the customer with a paper check, which has a QR code on it. The customer then scans the QR code using their smartphone, and the payment is processed digitally. Alternatively, you can place a QR code directly on the table. This method is becoming increasingly popular as customers can sit down, scan the QR code, and see other options aside from paying the bill. It can include accessing the menu so you don't have to place a physical menu on the table. They can view the menu, order food and drinks, or simply use it to pay.
Now that we have a better understanding of pay-at-table solutions and your options, let's examine some of the benefits that restaurants can gain by implementing this technology.
Faster Service
Let's be real: no one likes to sit around waiting once they've finished their meals and drinks for the server to come back with the bill, then process the transaction at the fixed terminal, and then come back again. This can really extend the duration that a table is occupied for long past when everyone is finished eating and drinking. The use of a table POS means that as soon as the diner is ready to pay their bill, the server can head to the table with the bill, and the terminal is ready to accept payments should they be paying by card.
If they pay by cash, then the payments are processed as normal; however, as the majority of customers tend to want to pay digitally these days, it can really speed up service and get the table clear and more diners seated faster by eliminating the need for the server to move away from the table to address the payment and then come back to the diners. Plus, the more efficient the service is, the more likely people are to come back and make frequent visits to the restaurant.
It's More Secure
Pay-at-table solutions are often integrated with high-end technology, utilizing sophisticated devices that enable customers to pay at the table with their credit card using a chip and PIN, EMV, or mobile payments. They have peace of mind, not only watching the transaction take place in front of their eyes but also not worrying about who has access to their card details once it is out of their possession. Additionally, they can rely on the security of the payment process, knowing that their details are sent securely and processed correctly, thereby reducing the risk of fraud when using their card at your establishment.
Easy Tips
Once such benefits that you might not have realized come with pay-at-table solutions is that most terminals these days offer diners the option to tip as a percentage or a dollar amount.
This gives customers a little more privacy and flexibility over whether they choose to leave a tip and how much they choose to leave. Of course, you can always set a service charge and have this added to the bill so it's included if this pays tips for the staff, or you can configure your device to ask customers if they would like to make a tip and how much they would like to pay this takes the focus off staff having to ask them or highlight the tip section on the bill. And reducing the pressure on people about how much they want to pay, or not making them feel self-conscious about leaving a tip, means they're more likely to leave a tip, as the server is unaware, and even leave a bigger tip, thanks to making things more convenient for them.
No Cash Required
While some people still prefer to pay for all their purchases and transactions with cash, as stated earlier in this post, the majority of people nowadays prefer digital payments. The rise of payments made through digital wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, has made digital payments more convenient and secure. Pay-at-table technology allows for digital payments to be made by cellphones, meaning that even if nobody's got cash on them, they can still come and dine with you. This not only increases convenience for your customers but also ensures that you can accept their preferred payment method because you're using a payment terminal that accepts digital payments of this kind.
If you're looking to increase customer service at your restaurant, using pay-at-table technology may be exactly what you're looking for and need to help you do just that.
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