For restaurants to succeed in the ever-growing industry, efficiency and customer satisfaction must be prioritized. Pay at the table is a point-of-sale solution that streamlines the payment process – eliminating stress for both guests and their servers.
To understand how pay at the table works, consider the traditional restaurant payment experience. A server places a bill on the table, collects credit/debit cards, processes them away from the table at a fixed POS terminal, calculates tip, and comes back to have customers sign off the bill – round and round it goes. This system can be both time-consuming and inconvenient, but with pay at table, those problems become a thing of the past.
From what exactly pay at table is to breaking down its pros and cons, this guide explores how its deployment will revolutionize restaurant experiences across the United States. So say goodbye to convoluted payment processes and join the millennia of simplified restaurant payments!
What is pay at the table?
Savoring the last bite of dinner? Don’t let it be spoilt by a sluggish payment process. With pay at the table, you can settle your check in mere moments, no matter how many dishes you shared! Servers bring over a dainty handheld device, with which you can use either QR codes or card payments to quickly send off your tab. No more tedious trips to the fixed terminal and back; all transactions are right where you are – at the comfort of your dining table. Enjoy the convenience offered by pay at the table and make your checkout experience seamless and enjoyable for everyone.
How does pay at the table work?
The pandemic was a decisive moment for restaurant adaptability—and pay-at-the-table technology has become an expedient necessity. The advent of handheld POS terminals and QR code solutions have enabled restaurants to streamline their safety procedures, reducing contact points and packing a powerful punch with bill-splitting ease and efficiency. Through these methods, guests can utilize one device to puppet master all payments, while servers can attend to more pressing matters, like ensuring optimal guest satisfaction. Furthermore, personalizing QR codes enables customers to browse menus in their own time and pay in the blink of an eye. In sum, pay-at-the-table technology effectively furnishes restaurants with the capacity to deliver both convenience and classic experiences—all without compromising on safety.
Requirements for pay at the table
If your restaurant is toting around an antiquated POS system that lacks pay-at-the-table functionality, now’s the time to upgrade. This dynamic technology opens the door to a host of lucrative possibilities; it streamlines workflows, reduces waste, and drives profits while saving you both time and money. To kickstart this transition, here’s a rundown of what you’ll need:
1. A cutting-edge POS and payment processor that offers integrated pay-at-the-table capabilities
2. An optimal wireless internet or Bluetooth connection
3. Multiple reliable payment terminals
4. Tipping functionality
5. Superior customer support when needed
AND… comprehensive training for your staff to ensure a smooth adoption. On top of all that, patrons can enjoy peace of mind knowing the added security of this pay-at-the-table technology.
Pros for pay at the table
Turn tables faster – Speed is essential for success in the restaurant business, but it’s often impeded by laborious processes. Traditional payment models require endless trips from one table to a single checkout terminal, increasing wait times and stifling table turnover. Conversely, our pay-at-the-table solution liberates servers from this tedious chore, accelerating the entire transaction and enabling customers to depart with smiles on their faces. By streamlining service, you can serve more customers and increase profits in one swift motion—it’s a win-win for everyone!
It’s more secure – Have you ever encountered the insidious menace of card skimming? If not, count yourself lucky, for it is a diabolical method of fraud that exploits the unsuspecting. By means of a skimming device, vital information such as credit card details and personal identification numbers are surreptitiously copied as soon as the card passes through the terminal. This crime previously plagued restaurants where payment had to be completed away from the table, leaving the cards vulnerable—a problem easily amended by introducing pay at the table. With this system, consumers no longer have to fear for their precious data, knowing that their cards never leave their sight. In other words, peace of mind in exchange for a simple change.
Saves on cost – Discover the power of pay at the table: it’s a revolutionary system that maximizes your employees’ efficiency, catalyzing cost savings in labor. Give your servers the flexibility to cash out guests tableside while engaging them with attentive hospitality and showcasing your menu. Get the most from every staff member with optimum multitasking, so you can run your restaurant with fewer floor personnel—a huge boon for businesses of all sizes! The greater the scope of your operations (multi-location, perhaps?), the heftier the savings on offer. Unlock this game-changing potential today and reap the rewards of improved efficiency!
Higher tips – Gone are the days of pencil-and-paper calculations when it comes to tipping. With tableside payments, customers have unprecedented freedom and flexibility to show their appreciation for servers with an extra gratuity. Not only is this a win for diners, but for restaurant staff as well! When diners have the option displayed right on the screen, they’re more likely to tip generously. Furthermore, an expedited payment process means that servers can accommodate more tables in less time, enabling them to reap the rewards in the form of increased tips.
Bookkeeping is simplified – An integrated payment system is your ticket to effortless “pay at the table” transactions. Seamlessly connecting with your POS, these terminals streamline the process by capturing the payments and customer data required for accounting—saving you from the laborious task of manually reconciling expenses.
Payment options – Treat your customers to convenience and choice at the checkout. Harness the power of innovative payment solutions to evolve your restaurant into a modern marvel. Offer an array of payment options such as credit card swiping, inserting, contactless payments, and digital wallets—all designed to save time and revolutionize the customer experience. Elevate your restaurant above the competition and keep up with industry trends by embracing cutting-edge methods of payment. With these options in tow, you’ll be standing tall in the world of merchantry.
Fewer chargebacks – Safely store your payments and spare yourself the hassle of chargebacks! With our pay-at-the-table technology, you can bid adieu to the worrisome prospect of credit card fraud and the disheartening fees it engenders. With this secure solution, your restaurant will benefit from greater protection and substantial savings in no time.
Better customer service – Nothing matters more than delivering an exceptional dining experience to your valued customers. Optimize their interactions with your servers, and equip them with the tools they need to provide truly superior service. Streamline server workflows and create more opportunities for face-to-face engagement. Enhance payment accuracy while keeping transactions speedy. This is the formula for a remarkable checkout process – one that unleashes the potential of your restaurant staff.
Cons for pay at the table
Diners may be use to the “old ways” of doing things – As restaurants modernize their checkout systems with pay-at-the-table technology, it can be difficult for customers to adjust to a sudden shift in the conventional approach. To avoid potential disruption and ensure a smooth transition, invest in training your employees on the art of tableside payments. Not only should they have an in-depth understanding of the process, but also rely on their insight when reading customer behavior—it’s often obvious when diners are expecting to linger over a leisurely meal or wrap up quickly. Take the experience one step further by providing detailed instructions and highlighting the variety of payment methods available. By equipping your team with the necessary tools, adopting tableside payments doesn’t have to be a daunting endeavor; rather, it can empower your business to deliver an unforgettable journey that delights even the most discerning of patrons.
Cost considerations associated with pay at the table – Investing in a cloud-based POS and payments system to embrace pay at the table technology is a savvy move that will undoubtedly yield bountiful rewards. Not only will you save money in the long run, but you’ll also gain valuable insights and gain access to cutting-edge payment methods. Plus, you can negotiate rates with providers like Lightspeed Payments for the best possible value. Moreover, your customers will benefit from an enhanced experience—allowing them to remain at their table while making convenient payments. By investing in this technology now, you can reap a host of lucrative returns in the future. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity for growth!
Improve service with pay at the table
Ultimately, for a restaurant to thrive and stand out from the competition, consistently delivering an unparalleled experience to customers is paramount. With pay at the table, take advantage of a revolutionary solution that ensures swift and seamless payment processing. Its intuitive design simplifies operations while optimising efficiency – ensuring your guests enjoy every moment from start to finish. As the industry continues to soar, now is the time to make sure you’re ahead of the game – 47% of restaurant owners believe there will be more intense rivalry in 2024! Don’t get left behind – it’s time to get on board with pay at the table.
Contact Volt Merchant Solutions today to find out how we can help you stay ahead of the game when it comes to efficiently and effectively handling your payment processing needs.
