Smartphone payments in restaurants: 66% of customers prefer it

During the Christmas season, restaurants experience a large influx of customers due to corporate dinners and family celebrations. To ensure a positive experience, offering quick and secure payment options is key. In this article, we present the latest payment trends for the hospitality industry.

Digital payments in restaurants

Mobile payments have become one of the most prominent trends in the restaurant sector. PaynoPain, a Spanish fintech company providing payment solutions, revealed in its 2024 survey “Payment Methods: The Ultimate Decision” that contactless payments via mobile wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are the most popular choice among users (66%) when making payments.

When asked about other payment methods they would like to see in establishments, Spanish people highlighted contactless payments (24.9%) and payments via QR codes (18.3%), while installment payments (13.7%) and bank transfers (13.2%) were in the lower ranks.

“The results of our survey show that consumers are increasingly demanding mobile payment options. If restaurants do not adapt to this trend, they risk losing competitiveness and customer loyalty. Integrating secure and efficient payment solutions helps meet the needs of a clientele that wants to enjoy the best dining experience,” says Jordi Nebot, CEO and co-founder of PaynoPain.

The customer experience in focus

The speed and security of mobile payments are transforming restaurant operations by eliminating the need for cash or cards. With just a few taps on a smartphone, transactions are quick and efficient, enhancing the customer experience, particularly during the festive season. Restaurants that do not adopt these technological solutions risk losing competitiveness.

Unsatisfied customers

During the holiday season, a slow or complicated payment process can lead to frustration among diners and chaos among the restaurant staff. At PaynoPain, we offer a wide range of solutions to meet customer expectations, which demand fast, convenient and secure payments.

• The most common solution for in-person payments are card machines (POS terminals), which facilitate quick and secure payments both with cards and digital wallets.
• Alternatives to the card machine, such as Tap to Pay, are also options worth exploring. With this app, you can have the card machine on your mobile, further streamlining transactions at the moment.
• Additionally, restaurateurs can integrate platforms for managing bookings, which also enable online payments. This way, restaurants can offer customers the flexibility to pay before arrival or during their dining experience.
• Another alternative is table payments, where diners can pay without having to wait for the waiter to process the payment through the card machine. This model improves efficiency, reduces waiting times and minimises errors in billing.

Unsecure payment processes

The lack of adequate security measures can create distrust among users, who value security (67%) above convenience (58%) and speed (34%) when choosing a payment method.

It is essential to have payment providers who implement advanced technologies such as 3DS authentication and tokenisation. These solutions protect customers’ financial information and reduce concerns about data theft. Restaurants must ensure that their payment providers are PCI-DSS certified and comply with legal data protection standards.

Failure to adapt to market demands

Consumers are increasingly seeking flexible payment options and restaurants that do not offer alternatives such as contactless payments risk losing customers. According to a survey by PaynoPain, only 10% of respondents still use cash, while 52% prefer to pay with a card and 37.1% opt for digital wallets. This trend highlights the growing demand for fast and modern payment solutions, emphasising the need for restaurants to adapt to their customers’ preferences to remain competitive.

Digitise payments in your restaurant

Looking for a payment solution for your hospitality business?

Digitalisation is transforming the restaurant industry. Customers are demanding fast and secure payment options, especially during peak seasons. If you are still not accepting contactless payments or card payments in your establishment, you risk losing customers to competitors who have already implemented these options.

At Paylands, we offer advanced and secure payment solutions: from accepting contactless payments, payments via QR code, using your mobile as a card machine, or traditional card machines, all designed to improve your customers’ experience. Don’t let slow or insecure payments affect your competitiveness.

If you need more information about digital payment solutions for restaurants, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

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