Payment experiences are rapidly changing in the United States. More and more innovations are coming out to better security for merchants and customers alike. Tableside ordering or pay-at-the-table is one of the latest in payment technological advancements, especially those aimed at cutting down on fraud. In the EMV world, it is always best practice for cards to never leave the customers sight during transactions – which is exactly what tableside ordering intends to eliminate.

There are many other benefits to implementing tableside payment for restaurants. Not only does it create better security by bringing the point-of-sale to the customer, it helps boost revenue and increase table turn rates. There is no doubt that pay-at-the-table is increasing in popularity, with strong predictions that it will becoming a predominant payment method throughout the hospitality industry all through 2018.

For merchants that are looking into tableside ordering and payment, here are a few tips for smoothing the transition.

Split Check

Having the option to split check and accept multiple cards for payment on one order creates another layer of convenience for customers.

Easy Tip Calculation

Pay-at-the-table POS can simplify tipping by offering percentages and suggested amounts. This does more than create convenience for the customer, it also improves the likelihood of servers being tipped fairly. It also helps increase turnover rates.

Contact and Contactless

It is important to ensure that the device is certified for both contact and contactless payments. EMV contactless follows EMV rollouts, usually within the year. Pay with phone app.

The rising popularity and implementation of pay-at-the-table solutions is definitely not to be ignored. With more and more customers expecting convenience and safety when they pay for their food, it is in restaurant owner’s best interests to meet those demands. While the decision of how exactly to integrate that technology is personal and specific to each restaurant, successful owners and operators will need to rely on these tips above and research before and during the implementation of these solutions.

from Modern Restaurant Management 12/18/2017