You dined at your favorite local eatery, and the food and beverages were excellent. However, when it comes time to pay for the dinner, you can’t manage to locate the server and inform them you’re ready to receive the bill. Even when you request a check, it seems to take an eternity for them to get it to you, and then you have to wait for them to take your card and process it. For the customer, this can be a tiresome procedure that might even ruin their dining experience. As a result, restaurants must provide payment flexibility to guests and allow them to pay in a variety of ways. This will streamline the workflow and make it easier for customers and restaurant employees.
“A study revealed that 60% of people who have experienced a slow payment process have ruined their dining experience.”
Accept multiple types of payment.
It’s critical to make it simple for customers to pay using whatever method they like. The more payment options your business allows, the more convenient it will be. Traditional card swipe, EMV chip, NFC cards, mobile wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and WeChat Pay, and Alipay are all accepted by Shift4. Did you know that one of the most efficient methods to cut wait times is to accept numerous forms of payment?
Give access to pay at the table.
In most countries, the use of table-side payment is already prevalent. In the U.S, almost all adults (70% of baby boomers and 72% of millennials) would prefer to pay at the table if they could. SkyTab is a powerful tool that will allow your business to offer the pay at the table service and deliver an unmatched experience to your customers. It also includes order entry from the table, which eliminates the need for trips to the POS system.
Increase payment security.
Allowing the customer to have control of their checkout procedure can alleviate concerns about a potentially insecure payment process. The consumer is no longer required to hand over their credit card to a server who then walks away with it. Customers will have peace of mind and a more secure dining experience as a result of this.
“A study conducted by Mastercard revealed that 79 percent of consumers globally are using contactless payments.”
Provide QR code pay.
In restaurants, QR codes have become increasingly popular; many times, QR codes are placed on tables for guests to scan with their phones to access a digital menu. Another application of QR codes in restaurants is QR Order & Pay, which allows customers to examine the restaurant’s menu, place an order, and pay all from their phones. This provides guests more control over when services are provided and how bills are paid.
Offer online ordering.
With online ordering, restaurants can accept orders and payments from wherever their consumers are. RM Online Ordering accepts all major credit cards, as well as RM gift cards. For guests, purchasing online is faster and more convenient. According to restaurant researcher Peter Saleh, guests who place their own orders “tend to engage with the menu longer and spend 15% to 25% more.” Frequent client visits, greater check totals, and improved client conversion and loyalty are some advantages of online ordering.
Ask guests their payment preference.
Different generations may be wary of new technology or have difficulty implementing it. If your restaurant’s patrons are used to checking out on their own, you may wish to assist them or use the Standard Credit Card procedure to satisfy them. If you’re trying out new technologies, ask for feedback, especially if they’re a regular customer.
Are any of the above-mentioned payment methods something you’d want to try? We’d be happy to discuss which alternatives are best for your company. For further information, call 407-365-1991.