Charge Card Systems offers Restaurant Merchant Account programs with specific advantages that our competitors just can't match - including reduced credit card processing fees, 12-hour funding (including on American Express) to improve cash flow, and transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
It may sound like common sense, but the first thing restaurant owners need to consider when establishing a restaurant merchant account is what kind of restaurant they have. Fast food restaurants have different needs from full service restaurants.
Quick Service
Quick service merchant accounts are specifically designed for fast food restaurants. Any owner of a fast food restaurant knows that he or she needs to process every credit card transaction quickly and efficiently. Also, these transactions tend to be much more straightforward and rarely involve the need for tips or multiple bills for one customer.
Full Service
When running a full service dining establishment there are additional considerations to keep in mind. Restaurant credit card processing at a full service restaurant must include the ability to accept tips, combine bar bills with dinner bills, and separate a single bill for multiple credit cards. In addition, full service dining establishments have to find a restaurant merchant account that will work with their point of sale software systems and equipment.
Wireless
More and more, restaurants are using wireless credit card terminals that allow the waiter to enter the order as items are being ordered as well as processing that order at the table. If you're interested in this type of restaurant credit card processing, you need to ask your merchant account provider if they offer that service.
Process More than Credit Cards
While many people use a credit card to pay for their restaurant bill, they have plenty of other options available to them. As an owner, you need to decide what other kinds of payment you want to accept and if they can be processed by your merchant account provider as well.
Debit Card
The most similar form of payment to a credit card is the debit card. While some debit cards can be processed as a credit card, some customers prefer to use their PIN. If you would like to offer this option to your customers, make sure your restaurant merchant account will accept debit cards and confirm that your terminal has a PIN pad.
Gift Card
Gift cards are a great way to generate business, but before you can offer them to your customers, you need to be able to process them. Most merchant account providers offer this service, but you will need a credit card terminal that is able to process that type of card.
Check Verification
Not everyone uses credit cards to pay their restaurant bills. Some people really do still use checks. To be prepared for that type of payment and to protect your business, get the proper check verification equipment and ask for check processing services from your provider.
To learn more about restaurant merchant accounts and credit card processing for restaurants, call us today at 800-878-4100 or click here for a Free Rate Analysis.