Frequently Asked Questions

The best payment processing solutions for small retail stores offer:

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• EMV and contactless payment support
• POS compatibility for inventory and reporting
• Flexible pricing models such as surcharging or cash discounting

Small retailers benefit most from solutions that scale with growth and reduce processing costs without locking them into long-term contracts.

The cheapest merchant services option depends on how pricing is structured, not just the advertised rate. Traditional low-rate plans often include hidden fees, monthly minimums, and long-term contracts.

In many cases, a compliant surcharge or cash discount model results in the lowest overall cost because the business no longer absorbs processing fees. Instead of chasing the lowest percentage rate, businesses should compare total monthly cost and contract flexibility.

The best contactless payment tools for quick-service restaurants include:

• NFC-enabled terminals that support Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Mobile POS systems for fast checkout lines
• QR code ordering and payment solutions
• EMV tap-to-pay countertop terminals

Quick-service restaurants benefit most from contactless tools that reduce checkout time, integrate with POS systems, and support surcharge or cash discount configurations where allowed.

Restaurants charge credit card fees to offset rising payment processing costs and shrinking profit margins. Card usage has increased, while interchange rates and operational expenses continue to rise.

Many restaurants use compliant surcharge or cash discount programs to recover these fees transparently. When implemented correctly, these programs allow restaurants to accept cards while reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket processing expenses.

Restaurant credit card processing fees are charges paid to payment processors, card networks, and banks every time a customer pays with a credit or debit card. These fees typically range from 2% to 4% per transaction and can include interchange fees, assessment fees, and processor markups.

For restaurants with high transaction volume, these fees can add up to thousands of dollars per month. Some restaurants offset these costs by adjusting pricing or using compliant surcharge programs that pass the processing cost to the customer instead of the business.