Knowledge base
How does tap-to-pay work in restaurants?
Short answer
With tap-to-pay, a suitable phone or handheld accepts contactless payments without a separate card terminal: the guest holds a card, phone or watch against the device. At Foodyx, tap-to-pay works on Foodyx Mobile POS, through CM.com or Viva.com, and the amount comes from the order automatically.
What is tap-to-pay?
Tap-to-pay is a way of accepting contactless payments on a suitable device, such as a smartphone or handheld, instead of on a separate card terminal. The device reads the contactless payment; a payment provider processes the transaction.
Which devices are suitable and which payments work is decided by the payment provider. So tap-to-pay is a combination of POS app, device and payment provider, not a property of a POS system alone.
How does tap-to-pay work with a POS system?
The payment starts with the order. The POS app on the device passes the amount to the payment function, the guest pays contactlessly, and where the integration supports it, the result comes back with the order.
At Foodyx, your staff take the order on the Mobile POS. The amount goes automatically to tap-to-pay, the guest pays contactlessly, and the payment is then with the order in Foodyx.
What is the difference between tap-to-pay and a card terminal?
Both accept payments; neither is always better, and you can also combine them. The difference lies in the device and the place:
- a card terminal is a separate payment device; with tap-to-pay the guest pays on a device your team already uses;
- with tap-to-pay on a mobile device you take payment where the guest is sitting;
- a card terminal at the counter stays useful where guests pay at the counter.
When is tap-to-pay useful in a restaurant?
Tap-to-pay fits best where your team moves around the restaurant, for example:
- with table service, where you can take payment straight away;
- on the terrace;
- with staff who take orders on a handheld.
How does tap-to-pay work at Foodyx?
At Foodyx, tap-to-pay works on Foodyx Mobile POS, the mobile POS for taking orders and payments at the table. That can be through CM.com or through Viva.com. The amount goes automatically from the order to the payment, and the payment is then with the order in Foodyx.
With Tap to Pay on Mobile POS, you may no longer need a separate card terminal; whether you use tap-to-pay is your choice. At the counter you take payment with a CM.com card terminal. You need an account with the payment provider, and the integration is set up by Foodyx.
What should you look out for?
These questions help when choosing and setting up tap-to-pay. Where they concern Foodyx, they say how it works there.
Is your device suitable?
Tap-to-pay only works on devices the payment provider supports. Ask which ones before you choose devices.
Which payment provider do you use?
Ask which providers support tap-to-pay in your POS. At Foodyx, that is CM.com and Viva.com, on Foodyx Mobile POS.
Is the connection good enough?
Taking payment at the table needs a working internet connection there, on the terrace too. Foodyx Mobile POS works online only.
What does the provider charge?
Payment providers charge their own rates; check them with the provider you choose.
How does your team work with it?
Agree who takes payment at the table and what your team does with tips, a split bill or a failed payment.
How does the guest get a receipt?
Ask how the guest gets a receipt or proof of payment when paying at the table.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a separate card terminal?
With Tap to Pay on Mobile POS, you may no longer need a separate card terminal. For payment at the counter, Foodyx uses a CM.com card terminal.
Can I accept contactless payments with a phone?
With tap-to-pay, a suitable phone or handheld can accept contactless payments; which devices are suitable is decided by the payment provider. At Foodyx, tap-to-pay works on Foodyx Mobile POS.
Does tap-to-pay work at the table?
Yes, that is mainly what it is for. At Foodyx, your staff take payment on the Mobile POS where the guest is sitting, with tap-to-pay through CM.com or Viva.com.
Does tap-to-pay work on Foodyx Mobile POS?
Yes. Tap-to-pay on Foodyx Mobile POS works through CM.com or Viva.com; the amount comes from the order automatically.
Which payment providers does Foodyx support for this?
CM.com and Viva.com, both for tap-to-pay on Foodyx Mobile POS.
Is tap-to-pay the same as paying through QR ordering?
No. With tap-to-pay, the guest pays on your staff member's device. With QR Ordering, the guest can pay straight away on their own phone, where you want that.
Further reading
Connecting a card terminal to your POS
The amount automatically from the order to the card terminal.
QR ordering with POS and kitchen
Ordering from the guest's own phone, connected to the POS.
Foodyx Mobile POS
Your staff take orders at the table.
CM.com integration
Card payments and tap-to-pay connected to Foodyx.
Viva.com integration
Tap-to-pay on the mobile POS.
Foodyx POS
The POS for sales, service and order handling.
Tap-to-pay on Foodyx Mobile POS?
Look at Foodyx Mobile POS or book a demo to see how taking payment at the table works.