Technology continues to make our lives easier and better. With software, hardware, and everything else in-between available to help us run our businesses more efficiently, it’s about time the restaurant industry takes advantage of this technology too.
Mobile computing has really impacted the way we go about our day-to-day lives, including how we pay for goods and services. Devices such as the Square or Intuit reader allow small businesses, including restaurants, to offer mobile payment options that are highly convenient for customers and, in the case of restaurants, the wait-staff too. A mobile payment system is perfect for harried customers dining on the go and also helps restaurants move patrons in and out more quickly.
So why do so few restaurants use mobile payment systems today? Why are only a small number of wait-staff personnel equipped with a mobile payment device? This trend is on the rise and here to stay. So why is a mobile payment system beneficial to a restaurant? Consider these features:
Ease-of-Use
Mobile payment systems are easy for everyone. From the wait-staff’s point of view, they are easy to learn and make payment collection easier and faster. From management’s point of view, mobile payment systems require minimum staff training because the POS (Point of Sale, also known as checkout) system used with most mobile payment software is very similar to traditional ones, just with more features. Additionally, ROI (Return on Investment) increases for establishments when using mobile payment systems.
Lines Be Gone
When a restaurant gets busy and needs to push patrons into and out of tables, speeding up the process of delivering the check, paying the bill, and getting out the door is crucial. No manager wants to see a customer waiting around to get his or her credit card back from a wait-person who has seemingly vanished. Instead of frustrating a customer with long waits, the mobile payment system allows employees to complete the entire transaction at the table. Swipe the customer’s credit card and get a signature, and the customer is out the door. Also, no long wait time for those who wish to pay cash because the traditional cash registers aren’t busy.
Comprehensive Organization
Restaurants using mobile payment systems have learned one thing: Keeping everything organized is now much easier. Instead of going through piles of paperwork and running the risk of losing important documents, receipts, and other forms regarding restaurant finances, everything is stored and archived in the mobile payment system’s database. Keeping track of tips, wages, and other finances become easier because it’s all taken care of by the software and database.
Mobile Is Here to Stay
All restaurant models – large and small — can benefit from a mobile payment system, which is much more cost-effective than traditional payment methods.
So, are mobile payments here to stay? Will mobile payments replace traditional methods? The answer is a resounding “Yes.” Not only are small restaurants using mobile payment systems, but big chains are now going mobile. Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, McDonalds, Pita Pit, and many more according to Mashable are hopping on the bandwagon, with the mobile market growing significantly each year.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to be part of the mobile revolution and help your restaurant grow!
About the author:
Kristen Gramigna is Chief Marketing Officer for BluePay, providers of mobile credit card processors. She brings more than 15 years of experience in the bankcard industry in direct sales, sales management, and marketing to the company and also serves on its Board of Directors.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I think mobile payment systems are a good idea. I don’t know of any local restaurants doing so, but we’re all familiar with big companies who already use the technology, apple obviously comes to mind.
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted..Embarrassed to Drive a Used “Beater” Car? I’m Not!
I agree. I don’t think I have been to any that have mobile payments set up yet, but I know it is coming.
I hate having to wait for my bill and credit after eating at a restaurant and I can assure you I am not the only one. I agree mobile payments are here to stay.
From the restaurant’s perspective, anything that can facilitate moving patrons from their seats without any wait (caused by the staff) stands to help the restaurant make more money.
I am actually working on a post on Mobile Wallets to be up in a few weeks. I think there’s great opportunity here, but still a lot of fear and uncertainty around it. I think it’ll be great for whoever is able to truly bring it to the masses and have it work well.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..December Blog Goals Update
I look forward to seeing your post.
Well, my wife and I went to this restaurant a few months ago and they were using this mobile devise thing, I guess. It SUCKED. None of the waiters coudl work it right, they kept mishitting buttons, and they seemed nervous because they had to do it right in front of us at the tables so I think that made them mishit more buttons, and the ipads or whatever that they were using weren’t strong enough for the finger hits the wwaiters were using, so you could see they kept dropping them. And of course, because the system was stiill new I guess, all the waiters kept calling the manager over, or other waiters, and so it made everyone have to wait even longer because their waiters were helping out other waiters! It sucked. Big time. My wife and I decided never to go back. We can wait 2 minutes for a regular cash register to be used, no problem.
Maybe if training was better for waiters, it wouldn’t have been so bad.
TB at BlueCollarWorkman recently posted..Knowing When it’s Time to Quit Your Job
Wow! I think you must’ve hit the worst of all experiences! But I think you got to the exact answer or at least the cause of the problem. They didn’t do enough training on the new device. About the only devices I’ve ever seen be so easy-to-use you really don’t have to do much training come from Apple.
I think as the technology matures more and more companies will move with the times or get left behind.
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