Card Processing for Restaurants

Check the payment setup before you switch

Start with three representative statements and the payment methods you need to keep. Ask for the complete written account cost, including monthly charges, online payment costs and equipment terms. A standalone terminal is not the same as an integration with your business software.

What card fees take from restaurants

Tips carry fees as well The full payment is processed, including the tip. That means the restaurant pays fees on money going to staff.

Little margin to spare Once food and labor are paid, a 3.54% fee on each check can take a big share of the remaining margin.

Orders away from the counter Online and manually entered orders are card-not-present payments. They're usually the most expensive to process.

Card costs using the 3.54% benchmark

Dinner for two ($64): $2.27 in processing cost.

Party of six ($250): $8.85 in processing cost.

Catering order ($1,200): $42.48 in processing cost.

Monthly card sales ($60,000): $2,124 in processing costs. 3.54% is BlueFinch clients' average all-in effective rate before switching. These are calculated examples, not promised savings.

What's included in the offer

Properly configured, eligible credit and debit card transactions can use a 0% merchant processing rate. BlueFinch provides a free standalone terminal without an equipment lease, long-term contract or cancellation fee, plus signage and help getting started.

Monthly, PCI, gateway, batch, chargeback and other fees specific to your account may still apply. State law, underwriting, network rules, the processor or acquirer, payment channels and customer-facing prices determine the exact program.

Using both prices in daily work

Display the prices: Show both prices on menus and boards, or explain the card price in a clear notice.

Present the check: Put the cash and card prices on the check before guests make their payment.

Take the tip: Guests base their tip on the amount they pay. Servers receive those tips as they do now.

Close the day: Reconcile batches, reports and tip-outs the same way you already do.

Likely to suit you

Card payments cover most checks

Your POS can display both prices or a clear notice

Servers can briefly explain why there are two prices

You serve catering customers, events or big parties

Check these first

Third-party delivery apps bring most of your sales

Franchise terms set your menus and prices

Your POS can't print amounts that match

You still need to review state or local rules

Answers for business owners

Does anything change with tips? No. Guests tip on their payment amount, and staff get their tips as usual.

Will guests see the difference? Yes. The menu and check show both prices. Guests who want the lower price pay the cash price; others pay as they normally would.

Can my POS handle this? Many restaurant POS systems can use dual pricing. We'll check your system or set up the free terminal alongside it.

Can online orders use the same prices? Yes, online and phone orders can use that pricing if your ordering system displays it clearly. We check all payment channels before launch.

Can I use it in my state? Yes. We work in all 50 states, each with its own card-pricing rules. We set up your prices and signs to fit the rules where your business operates.

How soon can I switch? In minutes once you're approved. Plug in your terminal, connect to Wi‑Fi and start taking cards.

Check the numbers and the rules.

• 2026 processing cost report

  Inspect the 3.54% BlueFinch benchmark, calculation method and dated primary sources.

• Merchant statement decoder

  Use settled card volume and all fees from the same statement period.

Primary references

• Visa: cash discounts and card-acceptance rules

  Visa permits a cash discount as a reduction from the standard price. Its surcharge rules are a separate program; your acquirer agreement and local requirements also apply.

• Mastercard: credit-card surcharge rules

  Mastercard distinguishes credit-card surcharges from debit and prepaid transactions. Do not treat a surcharge and a posted cash/card price program as interchangeable.