Pay at the table, as the name suggests, lets diners settle the bill at the table. This process increases efficiency, simplifies the payment experience and lets staff turn tables faster. Let’s dive into more of the pay at the table benefits that’ll improve the experience for everyone in your restaurant.
An introduction to pay at the table
Pay at the table is a form of payment taking that allows guests to settle their bills using handheld payment terminals brought over by servers. Guests can also use QR codes to pay directly at the table.
Instead of staff collecting guests’ cards and processing them at stationary ePOS terminals, all transactions are processed through a single handheld device at the table.
Pay at the table eliminates the constant back-and-forth between a fixed terminal and a table, making the checkout experience more efficient and enjoyable for all.
How pay at the table works
There are two ways pay at the table works: either via QR code or handheld ePOS terminals. The ePOS terminal method lets guests tap or insert their cards and leave a tip all in a few clicks. Staff can check out entire tables using one handheld device, and print receipts for guests as well.
With a QR code, diners can scan the code which directs them to a secure site where they can view the menu, order and pay all at once. Staff don’t have to worry about closing transactions at the end of the meal, allowing them to focus on other areas of the dining experience, such as guest satisfaction.
The benefits of pay at the table
Pay at the table has numerous benefits for your business. Let’s dive into a few of them:
1. Turn tables faster
The faster you turn tables, the more customers you can serve, and the more revenue you can bring in. With the old method, it takes longer for customers to pay and for servers to close tables because of all the back-and-forth between one table and a fixed payment terminal. With pay at the table, there are no unnecessary steps and lengthy wait times. Guests can leave satisfied, and servers are freed up to focus on other tables and improve service.
2. Save on costs
Since pay at the table allows your employees to operate more efficiently, you can save money on labour costs. Staff can quickly cash out guests tableside and focus on important matters like interacting with guests (one of the most important aspects of dining), upselling different menu items and completing all the other service tasks in between.
3. Fewer chargebacks
Pay at the table technology enables better security. As a result, diners are less likely to be subjected to credit card fraud, which is a common reason for chargebacks. Your restaurant will save money on the fees associated with chargebacks as a result of using secure tableside payments.
4. Better customer service
We’ve mentioned customer service a few times by now, but we really want to hammer this home: a better checkout process means a better dining experience. Your servers will be freed up to spend more time attending to customers’ needs, streamlining their workflows and giving them more face time with customers. They’ll save time closing tables and be able to focus on providing top-notch customer service to every guest. Plus, there will be fewer transaction errors during checkout.
