In the restaurant industry, payment is no longer just a simple act at the end of a meal. It directly influences the smoothness of service, the customer experience, and the profitability of an establishment. Whether payment is made at the counter, at the table, online, or independently, every restaurant today must adapt its payment solutions to its service model and peak traffic times.
This guide aims to review the main payment solutions available for restaurants, then discuss complementary best practices for optimizing the entire customer journey.
1. Payment at the counter
Well, it's not a recent development. Paying at the counter remains the most common method, particularly in fast food restaurants, food trucks, and bars.
It is based on immediate payment at the time of ordering, usually via:
- a payment terminal
- a box (optional)
- centralized sales management
This solution is simple to implement and effective at absorbing a continuous flow of customers, but can quickly lead to waiting times during busy periods if it is not properly scaled.
2. Paying at the table with a mobile terminal
Payment at the table is typical in traditional restaurants. The customer pays their bill at the end of the meal, usually via a mobile payment terminal brought by the server.
This method provides a more comfortable experience for the customer, but it can:
- extend table turnover time
- assign staff to low-value-added tasks
- create waiting times in the waiting room
It remains relevant, but often needs to be supplemented by other solutions to improve fluidity.
3. Payment methods accepted in restaurants
Regardless of the path chosen, a restaurant must offer payment methods that are adapted to current practices.
This includes, in particular:
- Credit card (CB, Visa, Mastercard), with or without contactless technology
- Mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), increasingly used for their speed
- Digital meal vouchers (Swile, Edenred, Pluxee, etc.)
These payment methods are not a solution in themselves, but rather an essential foundation. Their compatibility with other payment methods (terminal, mobile, online) is now a key criterion for restaurant owners.
4. Online payment before pickup (click & collect)
Online payment before pickup allows customers to order and pay in advance, then come and collect their order without having to go through the checkout.
This model has several advantages:
- reduction in waiting time on site
- better production forecasting
- off-peak optimization
- increase in average basket size
It is particularly suited to takeaway sales, fast food outlets, and establishments wishing to offer an efficient click & collect service.
5. Payment via payment terminal
The payment terminal allows customers to order and pay independently, without involving staff. Let's be honest, it's a significant investment. We recommend renting for those who cannot afford to pay €2,000 for a terminal.
This solution is particularly effective for:
- handle large volumes of orders
- reduce queues
- reduce pressure on indoor teams
It is often used in fast-food restaurants, food courts, or high-traffic areas, and is an important driver of productivity.
6. Autonomous mobile payment
With autonomous mobile payment, customers use their own smartphones to order and pay, usually via a QR code or link.
This approach allows:
- a light setup on the restaurant side
- the creation of a virtual queue
- great flexibility, especially when space or personnel are limited
It is particularly relevant for events, temporary points of sale, or restaurants facing high peaks in visitor numbers.
Other key practices for optimizing the customer experience in restaurants
Payment is an essential step, but it alone is not enough to guarantee a good customer experience. Once the order has been paid for, the customer expects above all visibility and clarity.
View order status in real time
Informing the customer that their order is being prepared or is ready for pickup allows you to:
- reduce impatience and frustration
- limit demands on staff
- streamline communication between the kitchen and the dining room
An order display screen, such as EasyScreen, fits perfectly into this logic: it is not a payment tool, but a key link in the post-payment process.
Centralize sales and flow management
Increasing the number of payment channels without centralization can quickly become counterproductive. Centralizing sales allows you to:
- greater visibility on revenue
- a clear analysis of the most effective channels
- simplified management for teams
It is often this overall consistency that makes the difference between a smooth journey and a difficult organization.
How to choose the right combination for your restaurant
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The right choice depends on:
- type of catering
- order volume
- peak traffic
- available human resources
- customer expectations
A successful restaurant does not settle for a single payment method. It builds a coherent combination of solutions tailored to its actual needs.
Conclusion
Adopting the right payment solutions in restaurants means, above all, rethinking the entire customer journey. From the moment the order is placed to the moment it is picked up, each step must be smooth, clear, and efficient. Payment solutions are the foundation, while complementary practices—such as displaying orders—help achieve a superior level of experience.
Who we are
With over 60,000 customers across all sectors, Easytransac has been supporting catering professionals for over ten years in implementing payment solutions tailored to their needs: payment at the counter, at the table, online, via terminal, or independently on mobile devices.
Our solutions meet the specific needs of restaurants, whether it's managing peak times, streamlining service, or offering takeout and click & collect. The Easytransac platform allows you to centralize payments, track activity in real time, and improve the customer experience, from payment to order pickup, in a secure environment that complies with regulatory requirements.
Do you have a project or want to upgrade your restaurant payment solutions?
👉 Contact our teams to discuss your needs.
