SmartPulse — our weekly reader poll in Restaurant SmartBrief — tracks feedback from restaurant owners and managers about trends and issues.
Last week’s poll question: Has your restaurant considered a mobile payment system?
46.88% — No, a mobile payment system is not relevant for my restaurant.
28.13% — Yes, we are exploring the option of a mobile payment system.
15.63% — My restaurant has explored the option of a mobile payment system and will not move forward at this time.
9.38% — Yes, we have a mobile payment system.
Last week, Starbucks announced that Google Android smartphone users will be able to pay for drinks and other purchases with the chain’s mobile payment system, which has been available to users of Research In Motion’s BlackBerry and Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch since the beginning of the year. This month, Pizza Express in the U.K. rolled out a mobile payment system that uses PayPal. Through the restaurant’s free iPhone application, customers also can view menus and special offers.
Should you switch to a mobile payment system? A merchant account expert explains the benefits.
- The technology is great for restaurants that are mobile, such as food trucks, which require portable and small equipment.
- Electronic payment offers your restaurant the opportunity to tout green initiatives.
- It’s quick! The process is streamlined and intuitive, meaning that it requires minimal training for employees.
- Compared with the usual merchant account, a mobile payment system could reduce confusing fees, and the service fee per transaction could be reduced.
Share your thoughts on mobile payment systems in the comments or on Twitter.