Restaurant Payment Solutions
Restaurant-specific payment processors: Toast, TouchBistro, and Revel Systems compared
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Common Questions
How much do payment processing fees cost?
Standard rates are 2.6-2.9% + $0.10-$0.30 per transaction. Volume discounts and interchange-plus pricing can reduce costs. We compare effective rates across providers.
Can I switch payment processors easily?
Yes, most switches take 1-3 business days. Set up the new processor, update your website/POS, and keep the old account briefly for refunds.
Payment processor vs payment gateway - what's the difference?
A gateway securely transmits card data. A processor handles the actual money movement between banks. Many modern solutions like Stripe and Square combine both.
Key Terms
Payment Gateway
Software that securely transmits payment data between the customer, merchant, and payment processor. Encrypts card details and handles authorization. Examples: Stripe, Braintree, Authorize.net. Essential for any online or card-not-present transaction.
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
A security standard required for all businesses that handle credit card data. Compliance levels depend on transaction volume. Using hosted payment forms (Stripe Checkout, Square) handles most requirements. Non-compliance can result in fines of $5K-100K per month.
Payment Processor
The entity that facilitates the movement of funds from the customer's bank to the merchant's account. Handles authorization, capture, settlement, and chargebacks. Examples: First Data (Fiserv), TSYS, Worldpay. Many modern providers (Stripe, Square) combine gateway and processor.