Paying at the Restaurant: Payment Methods and Solutions to Know

Finance & Margins · November 4, 2025 · By Alex Dondelinger · 5 min read

Paying at the Restaurant: Payment Methods and Solutions to Know

Paying at a restaurant is no longer a mere formality: it is a decisive moment in the customer experience. It shapes how the service is perceived, how smoothly the meal flows and the overall profitability of the business.

Restaurant Payment: The Payment Methods and Solutions to Know

Restaurant payment is no longer a mere formality: it is a decisive moment in the customer experience. It shapes how the service is perceived, how smoothly the meal flows and the overall profitability of the business.

Between new consumer habits and growing digitalization, payment methods are diversifying and becoming a real performance lever for restaurant owners.

Rethinking Payment to Improve the Customer Experience

Long limited to cash or bank card, payment in food service has changed profoundly.

Customers today expect a smooth, fast, contactless experience, while restaurant owners look for simple, secure solutions connected to their management system.

Well-managed payment shortens queues, speeds up table turnover and enhances the quality of service. Conversely, a slow or rigid checkout can tarnish an otherwise successful experience.

The Main Payment Methods Used in Food Service

Payment method	Estimated share of transactions	Main strength	Recommended use
Bank card	≈ 62 %	Fast, traceable and secure	All types of restaurants, on-site payment
Cash	≈ 30 %	Accessible and immediate	Small amounts, local or senior customers
Mobile / contactless payment	≈ 5 %	Fast and smooth via smartphone or watch	Urban, connected customers
Meal vouchers (titres-restaurant, paper or digital)	≈ 2 %	Convenient for lunchtime meals	Lunch service, canteens, brasseries
Holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances) / gift cards	≈ 0,5 %	Flexibility and appeal	Tourist areas, business meals
Remote payment (QR code, link, online)	≈ 0,5 %	Smooth, contactless checkout	Takeout orders, quick service

Sources: Banque de France – Observatoire de la sécurité des moyens de paiement (2024 report); Lyf / OpinionWay study 2024; Observatoire des paiements de proximité. Aggregated data for the food service sector and physical retail.

restaurant payment

Increasingly Integrated Payment Systems

Payment is no longer limited to a standalone terminal. New payment solutions plug directly into the POS software to tie each transaction to an order, a server and a table.

This integration between service and payment simplifies management and guarantees full data consistency.

Every payment recorded in the POS system can be analyzed: payment method, checkout time, average basket, tip. This information helps identify peak hours, plan staffing and track financial performance in real time.

Connected to a predictive tool like Fullsoon, this data flow becomes a lever for anticipation. Payment information feeds forecasts of footfall, purchasing and labor, for more profitable and sustainable operations.

Overview of Payment Solutions and Their Costs

Standard Payment Terminal

A device connected to the register, enabling chip card or contactless payments.

Average cost:

Terminal rental or purchase (€150 to €400), then about 0.5% to 1.5% commission per transaction.

Mobile Payment

An app linked to a portable reader or a smartphone, used by servers or for takeout.

Average cost:

Mobile card reading, often with no subscription, with a 1.5% to 2.5% commission per payment.

Pay at the Table / QR Code

A link or QR code that lets the customer pay from their phone, without going through the terminal.

Average cost:

0.8% to 2% per transaction depending on the provider, often included in a digital payment package.

Integrated POS Solution

An all-in-one POS system combining sales, payments, meal vouchers and statistics.

Average cost:

Monthly subscription between €60 and €200, plus 0.5% to 1% in payment fees.

Digital Meal Vouchers (Titres-Restaurant)

Cards or apps used by employees to pay for part of their meal.

Average cost:

Commission between 2% and 5% depending on the issuer and monthly volume.

Online Payment

Payment made before the meal or for a remote order through a website or an app.

Average cost:

1% to 2.5% of the amount paid, depending on the gateway used.

Benchmark: Zenchef vs. Sunday

Criterion	Zenchef	Sunday
Positioning	All-in-one tool for guest management (reservations, CRM, loyalty).	Solution specialized in pay-at-the-table via QR code.
Main goal	Fill the restaurant and build customer loyalty.	Speed up service and make payment smoother.
Key features	Reservations, review management, CRM, marketing campaigns, commission-free widget.	Scan & Pay, bill splitting, digital tips, POS-integrated reporting.
Fullsoon integration	Connection via POS (footfall forecasts + reservations).	Connection via POS (payments and real-time service data).
Target	Independents, chains, bistronomy.	Brasseries, quick service, high-turnover concepts.
Customer experience	Before the meal: smooth reservations and automated communication.	During/after: time saved, better table turnover.
Strengths	Complete ecosystem, premium image, no commission.	Simplicity, fast adoption, modern experience.
Limitations	Longer implementation.	Fewer marketing and CRM tools.
Indicative price	≈ €150/month depending on modules.	≈ €80/month + possible transaction fees.

💡 Both tools can be connected to Fullsoon to enrich forecasts and streamline service management.

The Essential Criteria for Choosing a Payment Solution

Choosing a payment system depends not only on price or hardware, but on its ability to adapt to the restaurant's business.

Three criteria dominate: speed, security and compatibility.

A slow checkout slows down service and creates frustration. An unsecured solution exposes you to errors or disputes. And a system not connected to the POS complicates accounting follow-up.

The latest technologies now make it possible to centralize all payment methods, automate register reports and measure the performance of each transaction.

Key Takeaways

Restaurant payment has become a strategic step in the customer experience.

Offering several payment methods, simplifying checkout and feeding the data into a smart management tool turns the end of the meal into a moment that is smooth, measurable and profitable.

In a context where every minute and every cover counts, mastering payment becomes a real factor of competitiveness and customer loyalty.

Article | Fullsoon Blog

{{ t.t0 }} / {{ article.categorie }}

{{ article.titre }}

{{ article.chapo }}

{{ t.label }}

{{ article.initiales }} {{ article.auteurNom }} {{ article.auteurPoste }} {{ article.date }} {{ article.duree }} {{ t.t9 }}

{{ article.alt }}

{{ t.t1 }}

{{ dataError }}

{{ r.texte }}{{ r.texte }}

{{ b.texte }}

{{ b.texte }}

{{ it.num }}

{{ r.texte }}

{{ c.texte }}

{{ r.texte }}

{{ q.question }}

{{ r.texte }}{{ r.texte }}

« {{ b.texte }} »

{{ b.auteur }}

{{ b.valeur }} {{ b.libelle }}

{{ b.alt }} — {{ b.legende }}

{{ t.t2 }}

{{ t.t3 }}

{{ t.t5 }}

{{ t.t6 }}

{{ a.alt }}

{{ a.categorie }}

{{ a.date }} · {{ a.duree }}

{{ a.titre }}

{{ a.resume }}