The best restaurant credit card processors enable fast transactions wherever you accept payments. However, some merchant account providers integrate with your point-of-sale (POS) system, whereas others offer POS software with built-in payments. Rates, features, and hardware also differ.
To find the right payment processing solution, consider your service model and sales volume. We looked at top-rated restaurant merchant service providers and found 10 solutions suitable for food and beverage businesses.
Compare the best restaurant credit card processors
- CDGcommerce: transparent credit card processing integrated with your hardware and software.
- Helcim: straightforward interchange-plus pricing for restaurants with multiple revenue streams.
- Square Payments: predictable, flat-rate pricing for restaurant startups.
- Luminous Payments: cash discount options for reducing card processing fees.
- Clover: monthly payment plans for bundled hardware and POS software.
- Stripe: flat rates and tons of payment features for online and in-store processing.
- Dharma Merchant Services: cheaper prices for restaurants with low average tickets.
- Toast: built-in credit card processing and POS software designed for restaurants.
- Leaders Merchant Services: solutions for any restaurant, regardless of your credit.
- Stax: subscription-based prices and services that scale with your restaurant.
CDGcommerce: best payment processing company for restaurant POS integrations
CDGcommerce offers three pricing models and integrates with over 350 technology platforms. You can use your own hardware and connect the processing solution to top POS systems. Although CDGcommerce doesn’t instantly approve applications like some processors, it stands out for its transparency and support for all-sized food businesses, from mom-and-pop diners to high-volume restaurants. It doesn’t charge hidden fees and provides 24/7 U.S.-based technical support.
Helcim: most transparent rates for catering and food service companies
Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing to small and medium businesses. Merchant accounts come with free invoice software and online checkout tools, making this payment processor a top pick for restaurants with multiple revenue streams.
It has fewer hardware options than Clover or Square. However, you won’t pay monthly subscription payments or hidden fees for setup or Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance. Indeed, professional reviewers consider Helcim one of the most transparent processors in the industry.
Square Payments: simplest setup for restaurant startups
Square Payments helps new food businesses quickly accept all credit cards and mobile wallets. It provides free restaurant POS software for merchants with one location and paid options for companies with multiple sites. Startups can take payments almost instantly by simply creating an account. Other perks include a free restaurant website and magstripe card reader.
The drawback is that Square’s flat-rate fees could be higher than alternatives, especially for invoicing and payment links. Yet, its ease of use with Android or iOS smartphones and tablets makes Square a leading payment processing solution for restaurants.
Luminous Payments: best credit card processor for restaurants offering cash discounts
Luminous Payments caters to small businesses. The most popular payment processing package is the cash discount program. This subscription lets restaurants legally keep more money in their accounts by passing processing fees to guests.
Other options include flat-rate, interchange-plus, tiered pricing, or custom plans. Aside from accepting all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express), Luminous Payments supports mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Clover: best payment processor for bundling hardware and software
Clover provides a restaurant POS system with built-in payment processing. The quick-service and full-service subscriptions spread out the cost of hardware over three years. It also has a broad range of durable devices for the front and back of the house, including handheld terminals for curbside or mobile deliveries.
Hardware agreements may have termination clauses, and once you commit to Clover, you can’t easily (or cheaply) switch POS or processing providers. Yet, it’s a reliable all-in-one credit card processor for restaurants.
Dharma Merchant Services integrates with several POS platforms, and many consider it one of the industry's most transparent merchant service providers.
Stripe: best merchant services for online payment processing
Food delivery services, ghost kitchens, and catering companies can use Stripe to process payments online. Its versatility makes it a popular option, as Stripe accepts over a dozen different payment methods and integrates with more than 1,000 third-party applications. Indeed, ChowNow, Deliveroo, and SkipTheDishes improved operations by incorporating Stripe into their payment processing tech stack.
You can even add Stripe Payment Links to sell on Facebook or by text. However, Stripe doesn’t have a built-in POS system, and you may need some assistance integrating Stripe with your current hardware. The complete payments platform includes over 100 features and has pay-as-you-go flat-rate pricing. Alternatively, you can request a custom plan for volume discounts or interchange rates.
Dharma Merchant Services: best credit processor for quick-service restaurants
Restaurants with an average ticket of $25 or less get rock-bottom rates from Dharma Merchant Services. The credit card processor reduces your costs per transaction and the monthly fee. Dharma Merchant Services doesn’t require a long-term agreement and supports online payment links.
Also, you can accept debit or credit cards through Apple or Android devices, a virtual terminal, card readers, or a Clover POS system. Dharma Merchant Services integrates with several POS platforms, and many consider it one of the industry's most transparent merchant service providers.
Toast: most customizable payment and POS plans for restaurants
Toast is built for restaurants, providing cloud-based POS software with integrated payment processing. Like Square, Toast charges flat-rate transaction fees, has a free version for single locations, and offers paid options for two or more sites. The robust software might be overkill for food truck startups or cafes, but growing restaurants can personalize subscriptions to meet their needs. For example, Toast offers staff communication, time tracking, and payroll processing tools.
Leaders Merchant Services: highest approval rates for food and beverage merchants
Leaders Merchant Services has a 98% merchant application approval rate, which can help restaurant owners with less-than-stellar credit. It can reprogram existing credit card terminals, offers SwipeSimple devices, and is a Clover reseller. However, Leaders is less transparent than Helcim or CDGcommerce. Payment processing fees and value-added service costs vary.
Stax: best credit card processing company for growing restaurant businesses
Stax (formerly Fattmerchant) uses a subscription payment model, basing the monthly fee on your restaurant’s credit card processing volume. It doesn’t charge a markup on direct-cost interchange rates, which can make Stax cheaper per transaction than alternatives.
But if you’re just opening a food truck or don’t process many credit cards, the subscription fee may not be worth it. On the other hand, growing restaurants can scale with Stax. It supports every kind of payment, including in-person, contactless (for curbside pickups), phone, and online payments. And if your internet goes down, you can switch to a mobile or tablet device and process payments through the Stax mobile app.
How to choose the best credit card processing company for your restaurant
The leading processors offer competitive flat rates or interchange-plus pricing. However, differences between payment tools and merchant services affect guest experiences and staff workflows. When looking for credit card processors, consider ones that support your service model and point-of-sale needs, whether integrating with your existing system or providing an all-in-one POS and payments solution.
Use these tips to find the best credit card processing for your restaurant:
- Ask how payment processing works if your internet goes down or your delivery drivers accept payments inside factories with spotty service.
- Verify that the processor integrates with your current POS system, including how the setup process works and if there are any additional fees.
- Choose a credit card processor that offers dispute management tools and chargeback support to reduce fraud.
- Ensure the payment processor can issue, accept, and track your gift cards through its POS system.
- See if the merchant account provider supports contactless payments like QR code ordering and mobile wallets like Apple Pay.
- Review contract terms closely for early termination penalties, hardware replacement options, and the customer and technical support provided.
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