How Smooth Is the Payment and Checkout Process in Your Restaurant?

Why it matters

Guests in Europe pay in many different ways, so flexibility matters. The European Central Bank’s SPACE 2024 study found that in restaurants, bars and cafes in the euro area, 57% of purchases were paid in cash in 2024 (49% by value). At the same time, the same ECB study found that 55% of euro area consumers prefer to pay in shops by card or other cashless methods, while 22% prefer cash.

In simple terms, many guests in the euro area still pay cash, while many others would rather pay by card or phone. A restaurant that only takes one method will annoy part of its guests. The ECB SPACE 2024 study also found that card share of in-store payments rose from 34% in 2022 to 39% in 2024, so card use is growing. The best answer is to offer both and make each one quick.

How to check where you stand

• Can guests pay at the table, without walking to a counter?
• Do you accept cash, cards and contactless payments, including phone wallets?
• Can a group split the bill easily without a long wait?
• Is your bill clear, with items, taxes and any service charge easy to read?
• Do you say on your website and listings which payment methods you accept?

How to improve step by step

1. Offer both card and cash. Keep accepting cash and make sure your card terminal takes contactless cards and phone wallets. Guests should never have to leave to find an ATM.
2. Bring payment to the table. A portable card terminal saves time for guests and staff. Guests also feel safer when their card never leaves their sight.
3. Make splitting easy. Groups often want to pay separately. Train staff to split by person or by item, and check that your POS can do this in a few taps.
4. Watch the waiting time. Notice how long guests wait from asking for the bill to leaving. If it is often more than a few minutes at busy times, add a second terminal or assign one person to payments.
5. Keep the bill clear. Show each item, the tax and any service charge in plain words. If you add a service charge, say so on the menu. Surprises at the end of the meal lead to bad reviews.
6. Tell guests in advance. List your payment methods on your website, Google Business Profile and menu. Tourists in particular often want to know before they arrive.
7. Check your receipts and tips. Offer a printed or digital receipt and a simple, optional way to leave a tip. Never pressure guests to tip a certain amount.

How AI assistants see this

People often ask AI assistants practical questions before visiting, like “does this restaurant take cards?” or “can I pay contactless here?” Tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini and Perplexity look for this information on your website, your Google Business Profile and in reviews. If your payment options are listed clearly, the AI can answer with confidence. If guests write reviews about long waits for the bill or “cash only” surprises, those comments can also appear when AI tools summarize what people say about you.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Refusing cards or cash, which turns away guests who prefer the other method.
• Making guests wait a long time for the bill after a fast and friendly meal.
• Adding a service charge or extra fee without telling guests clearly beforehand.

Key takeaways

• Checkout is the last moment of the meal and shapes how guests remember you.
• Many guests in the euro area still pay cash, while many others prefer cards, so offer both.
• Paying at the table and easy bill splitting save time for guests and staff.
• List your payment methods clearly online so guests and AI tools know before arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Should my restaurant stop accepting cash?

Not if you serve guests in the euro area. The ECB SPACE 2024 study shows cash is still very common in restaurants, bars and cafes, so accepting both cash and cards is the safest choice.

Do I need a new POS to accept phone payments?

Not always. Many modern card terminals accept contactless cards and phone wallets. Ask your payment provider what your current terminal supports before buying new equipment.

How can I make paying faster for large groups?

Use a POS that can split bills by person or item, and bring a portable terminal to the table. Asking at the start of the meal if the group wants separate bills also saves time later.

Sources

1. European Central Bank, Study on the Payment Attitudes of Consumers in the Euro Area (SPACE) 2024: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/ecb_surveys/space/shared/pdf/ecb.space2024~19d46f0f17.en.pdf
2. European Central Bank, Study on the Payment Attitudes of Consumers in the Euro Area (SPACE) 2024: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/ecb_surveys/space/html/ecb.space2024~19d46f0f17.en.html