Restaurant Mobile Payments: Setting Yourself Up for Success

As a restaurant owner, staying ahead means using tech that improves your operations and customers’ experiences. With 60% of people wanting to use mobile payments (Fed Payments Improvement), offering restaurant mobile payment options is a must. 

Restaurants that integrated payment technology have seen a boost in customer happiness and reduced transaction times.  

In this article, we’ll show you how to:

• Choose the right restaurant mobile payment app 

• Connect it with your other systems 

• Market it 

Understanding Restaurant Mobile Payments 

To use restaurant payment apps, you must first understand how they work. 

What Are Mobile Payments in Restaurants? 

They let customers pay their bills using:

• Digital wallets 

• QR codes

• Mobile phones  

These payments provide:

• Convenience

• Speed 

• Security

Mobile payments can come in several forms: 

• Dedicated restaurant payment apps 
• Integrated POS systems with mobile payments
• Third-party payment processors

Benefits of Mobile Payments in Restaurants 

Mobile payments improve service speed and customer enjoyment: 

1. Faster Payments

Speeding up payments helps your service. Mobile payments can reduce payment times, which boosts table turnover. 

2. Better Customer Experience 

Today’s customers want speed and convenience. Offering mobile payment options shows that your restaurant is forward-thinking, especially in the era of contactless payments.  

Customers love to use their mobile wallets.

3. Increased Sales 

Mobile payments improve the guest experience with faster payments and more satisfaction. Customers who pay with a mobile app or digital wallet will likely round up for tips.

Data shows that restaurants with mobile payments often see an increase in both sales and tips. Mobile payments can also make checkout easier. 

4 Ways to Choose the Right Mobile Payment Tech 

Here are four things to think about when choosing: 

1. Connecting With Your POS Systems
   Your mobile payments must connect to your POS system. That helps keep data all in one place. 
2. Security 
   A secure mobile payment system protects data. Look for systems that offer PCI compliance, encryption, and fraud detection tools. Partnering with a trusted provider helps build trust with your customers. 

3. Costs
   When picking a system, consider the payment processing costs. Compare pricing models. While more expensive, some systems may offer additional features like loyalty programs and data.
4. Customer Support 
   Downtime is costly. Choose a provider known that provides customer support and 99.9% uptime. 

Popular Restaurant Mobile Payment Apps 

Here are five leading mobile payment app platforms: 

1. Paytronix: Paytronix offers a best-in-class mobile payment solution through our white-label mobile experience builder. 
2. Square: Easy to use, Square offers a mobile payment solution for small and medium-sized businesses. 
3. Toast: Designed for restaurants, Toast offers POS connection and mobile payment options. 
4. Stripe: Stripe offers secure payments. 
5. PayPal: PayPal provides an option for diners who like third-party payments. 

Many restaurants also offer Apple Pay and Google Pay.

3 Steps to Connect Restaurant Mobile Payment Systems 

Once you’ve chosen the right system, it’s time to connect it. Here are the three steps: 

1. Connect with Current Systems
   Your mobile payment system must connect with your POS and accounting software. 
2. Staff Training
   Train your team to handle mobile transactions. Your staff should be able to help customers with questions. 
3. Customer Education
   Ensure customers understand how to use their mobile devices to complete payments through QR codes and mobile apps. Consider providing in-store signage or offering simple instructions on how to use the mobile payment app. You can also encourage customers to accept mobile payments by offering a small incentive, such as a 5% discount on their next purchase.

Marketing Your New Mobile Payment Option 

Marketing is a must for getting people to use mobile payments. Here’s how to get the word out: 

1. Social Media 
   Use your social media to tell others about your new restaurant payment options. Highlight the benefits and share posts about how easy it is to use.
2. Signs
   Create eye-catching signage near your entrance, at the checkout, and on tables. Clear messaging gets customers attention. 
3. Loyalty Programs 
   Make your mobile payment options available within your loyalty program. Give rewards to customers who use mobile payments. 

2 Solutions for Security 

Security is a big concern for restaurants and customers. Here are two ways to keep your payment system secure: 

1. Use Security Best Practices 
   Your system must use the latest PCI DSS standards. This protects data.
2. Keep Legal in Mind
   Mobile payments must match local and federal laws. Regularly check security. 

The Future of Mobile Payments in Restaurants 

Your restaurant must stay ahead of trends. Here are two trends to watch: 

1. AI  
   AI is making the customer experience more personal. It can learn customer payment habits and recommend menu items.
2. Biometric Payments
   Biometric payments use facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. This type of payment is extra safe. 

Preparing for the Future 

Start by:

• Understanding your current system

• Finding areas for improvement 

• Leaning the latest industry innovations

Taking the Next Step 

Mobile payments are a must have in today's restaurants. Choosing the right system will speed up payments and and keep your restaurant up-to-date with the latest tech.

With people wanting mobile payment options, it’s time to take action. To learn more about optimizing your restaurant’s digital offerings, including online ordering, download our free eBook: How to Maximize Digital Ordering for Restaurants. 

Take the first step toward success. Book a demo now to see how Paytronix makes payments easy.