Different payment methods in fast food

"Can I pay by cheque?", "Do you accept luncheon vouchers? Many restaurant owners hear these questions every day at checkout. One thing's for sure: the more payment methods you accept in your restaurant, the greater your chances of increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

It's vital for fast-food restaurants to find fast, efficient ways of paying their customers. This means reducing waiting times and maximizing operational efficiency, while offering convenient and secure payment options.

To help you make the best choice, we've sorted the 7 payment methods in order of effectiveness, with their advantages and disadvantages.

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1. Credit card payment in fast-food restaurants

The fastest and most widely used method of payment is by credit card! Indeed, 71% of French people pay for their purchases this way, whether online or in-store. What's more, contactless payment has become increasingly popular since the health crisis, and saves an enormous amount of time: it's estimated that contactless payments can be made in 15 seconds, twice as fast as with a normal card.

Credit cards are the safest way to pay in restaurants. To accept credit card payments in your restaurant, you'll need an Electronic Payment Terminal (EPT). To get one, compare offers from banks and private service providers. TPE purchase prices can vary from a few dozen euros to several hundred euros. 

Alternatively, you can opt to rent a TPE. It costs between €25 and €45 per month, and the monthly subscription fee varies from €10 to €100 per month for rental.

When choosing your Electronic Payment Terminal, make sure it is compatible with as many bank cards as possible (Visa, MasterCard, Carte Bleue, American Express, etc.) and the type of connectivity (WiFi, telephone line, 3G/4G, etc.).

For both you and your customers, paying by credit card offers many advantages: 

• Rapid payment: Payment takes just a few seconds, thanks in particular to contactless payment. Waiting time at checkout is reduced. This helps to improve the flow in the restaurant, avoiding queues and enabling more customers to be served. 
• Secure payment: When you pay by credit card, the Eftpos terminal checks with the customer's bank whether the payment is accepted. You can be sure of receiving the money for the transaction. Unlike cash, electronic payments are tracked and secured, reducing the risk of theft or counterfeiting.
• Fewer cash register errors: With cash payments, there can be errors when giving change or counting. By accepting CB payments, restaurateurs avoid these problems and guarantee greater precision in cash register management.
• Improved customer satisfaction: Ease, speed, security... Nowadays, the majority of customers prefer to pay by credit card rather than cash. By accepting e-payments, restaurateurs can adapt to their customers' preferences, enhancing their overall experience in your restaurant.

👉 To find out more: How can you make it easier to share the bill in your restaurant?

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2. Luncheon vouchers

The Ticket restaurant (Titre-restaurant, Chèque déjeuner, Pass restaurant, ...) is a means of payment that enables salaried customers to pay for their meals. Having this means of payment is therefore essential if you have office customers visiting you, as they only pay with their Titre-resto card.

Customers can use luncheon vouchers in several formats:

• Paper tickets in the form of a checkbook ;
• Prepaid and rechargeable smart card (can be used in the same terminals as CB cards) ;
• Via a cell phone app.

To accept a Ticket Restaurant® in your establishment, you need to join the Ticket Restaurant® acceptance network. There are 4 steps involved: 

1. Applying for approval

To accept payment in Ticket Restaurant® vouchers, you must be approved by the Commission Nationale des Titres Restaurant (CNTR). 

2. Join the CNTR network

To guarantee your Ticket Restaurant® card and paper reimbursements, you must join the CNTR network online.

3. Cash your customers

Your customers pay a maximum of €25.00 per day at your point of sale. They can pay in excess of the limit by paying the difference with another means of payment (cash, credit card, etc.). 

4. Get your money back

Send in your paper vouchers and receive a refund every week. You'll find all these transactions on a digital invoice in your Partner Area.

Good to know: 

• Luncheon vouchers have a time limit for use and redemption.
• Luncheon vouchers are accepted only on working days (Monday to Saturday inclusive), excluding Sundays and public holidays, unless otherwise stated on the voucher.
• Customers can use their meal vouchers up to a limit of €25 per day.
• If the total amount of the meal is less than the value of the meal voucher, you are not entitled to give change. 
• Customers can only pay for meals with meal vouchers in the département where they work and in neighbouring départements.

Do you have a question about luncheon vouchers? Find all the answers in this FAQ for retailers and restaurateurs. 

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3. Mobile payment: Apple pay, Google pay, Samsung pay, Paylib

This payment method is becoming increasingly common, especially among 18-30 year olds, so it's very important to configure your payment terminal to accept mobile payments. This works in the same way as if you accept contactless payments (NFC terminal).

Customers can pay with their virtual card by bringing their smartphone within a few centimetres of the EFTPOS terminal. With virtual cards accessible on Apple Pay (Google Pay, or Samsung Pay), it becomes extremely simple to pay without even having a physical card. A solution that appeals enormously to consumers, since it saves time and brings all cards together on a single smartphone.

This method of payment is very secure, both for restaurateurs and for customers. There are no additional fees for restaurateurs if you choose to accept this method of payment. At the point of collection, the same charges apply as for credit card payments. 

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4. Species

"Three years after the start of the health crisis, cash is holding its own against other means of payment in France", according to theEuropean Central Bank's SPACE 2022 survey of household payment habits in the euro zone.

While dematerialized means of payment became more widespread during the pandemic, cash remains the most widely used means of payment for point-of-sale purchases in France. By 2022, cash will account for 50% of all purchases.

And according to the same survey, 57% of French people think it's important to be able to pay in cash.

A retailer may refuse a payment made with bills and coins only if they appear to be counterfeit or damaged. Damaged bills may be exchanged or reimbursed, subject to conditions and expertise, by your bank or the Banque de France.

Cash transactions are simple, fast and accessible to everyone. However, there are risks of fraud and cash register errors. 

Find out how to authenticate a banknote: Banque de France

👉 Also read: How to avoid cash register errors in your restaurant?

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5. Vacation vouchers

In France, 11 million people use vacation vouchers every year. This means that by accepting this method of payment, you open up to a wider public and avoid limiting your potential clientele. A great advantage!

Chèques-Vacances come in the form of a book of cheques or dematerialized cheques (e-Chèque-Vacances). Paper Chèques-Vacances are worth between €10 and €50. Digital Chèques-Vacances are worth between €20 and €60.

Vacation Vouchers are valid for 2 years, in addition to the year of issue. For example, a vacation voucher issued in 2022 will be valid until December 31, 2024.

To accept Chèques-Vacances as a means of payment in your establishment, you must be approved by theAgence nationale pour les chèques-vacances (ANCV). At the time of reimbursement, the ANCV deducts 2.5% of the amount of the vacation vouchers as a commission fee. This is a relatively high fee to take into account when making your choice!

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6. Restaurant gift card

To do this, you need to be a partner in one of the many networks that offer restaurant gift vouchers or restaurant gift cards, so that your establishment appears in gift packs and on partner lists. This offers significant advantages, such as : 

• Develop your reputation by associating your brand identity with a recognized offering;
• Benefit from high visibility by appearing in a gift box; 
• Reach new customers.

As a restaurateur, you can join the following networks

• Smartbox (Gastronomic Experiences, Box Coffret Gastronomie...),
• Wonderbox (Gastronomy, Restaurant...),
• Sodexo gift card,
• The Fork gift card, etc. 

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7. Check

Banker's cheques, whose use in France has declined in recent years, remain an everyday means of payment. In general, cashier's checks are considered a relatively safe form of payment. However, it is important to take certain precautions to avoid fraud or potential problems: 

1. Checking the cheque: The restaurateur must first check that the cheque is correctly filled out, dated and signed by the customer. It is also important to ensure that the amount written in figures corresponds to the amount written in letters. In the event of a discrepancy between the two amounts, the "written" amount is taken into account.

To be valid, a check must include certain mandatory information: the word "check"; the order to pay a specific sum; the name of the bank that is to pay; the place and date the check was created; the signature of the check issuer, etc. The check must be signed by the person who issued it. 

2. Verify the customer's identity: It is recommended that the restaurateur verify the customer's identity. This can be done by asking for valid identification, such as an ID card, passport or driver's license.

3. Completing the cheque: You must sign the back of the cheque to cash it. Don't forget to indicate the date of deposit and the account number.

4. Depositing the cheque at the bank: The restaurateur must then go to his bank and deposit the cheque in his account. Some banks also offer cheque deposit services online or via ATMs. The cheque must be cashed within 1 year and 8 days of issue. However, payment is not guaranteed (lack of funds, etc.) and there is a risk of fraud. You must be careful when accepting a check as payment.

5. Wait for bank confirmation: Once the cheque has been deposited, the restaurateur must wait for the bank to process it. This may take a few business days, depending on the bank's policies.

Please note: 

• Procedures may vary depending on your bank. We recommend that you contact your bank directly for precise information on how to cash cheques.
• The absence of any of the required information will render the cheque irregular.
• Cheques must not contain any erasures, scratches or overwriting.

Paying by check is relatively restrictive for restaurateurs. There are risks of counterfeiting or bounced checks ... You are under no obligation to accept this method of payment in your establishment. If you do, you simply need to display this informationclearly in your point of sale.

Alternatively, you can :

• refuse cheque payments over a certain amount (again, subject to prior notification);
• require one or two pieces of photo identification. 

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How can digital payment boost your restaurant's performance?

Thanks to digital payment (bankcard, contactless, mobile payment and titres-resto card), establishments can offer their customers a smoother, faster and more secure experience, while enjoying significant benefits.

Speed and efficiency

Digital payments are generally faster than cash transactions. Customers can make their payment in a matter of seconds, reducing queues at the cash registers. It also enables restaurateurs to optimize table turnaround times, by speeding up the payment process and quickly freeing up seats for new customers.

Error reduction

Digital payments reduce change-issuing errors and the problems associated with handling cash. Amounts are calculated automatically, reducing the risk of human error. This saves restaurateurs time and avoids disputes linked to cash register errors.

Simplified transaction management

Digital payment solutions offer traceability and simplified transaction management. Restaurant operators can easily access payment history, analyze sales data and generate accurate reports. This enables them to better understand their business, identify trends and adjust their strategy accordingly.

Increased safety

Digital payments offer greater security than cash. Restaurant operators don't have to worry about theft, loss or counterfeit currency. What's more, payment data is encrypted and protected, reducing the risk of fraud.

Improving the customer experience

Customers appreciate the convenience and flexibility of digital payments. They can use their preferred payment method, whether it's a bank card, mobile payment or dematerialized titre-resto cards. This creates a positive, seamless experience, which can boost customer loyalty and encourage positive recommendations.

Integration with order-taking systems

The integration of digital payments with digital order-taking solutions automates the payment process. Orders are transmitted directly to the kitchen, and payments are recorded seamlessly. This reduces communication errors, optimizes workflow and improves overall restaurant efficiency.

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Let an expert help you equip your establishment with the cash register software or order-taking system best suited to your needs.