Restaurants and bars: keep your POS, just swap the gateway

Restaurant owners get pitched on new point of sale systems all the time, and most don't want to retrain a whole staff to save on credit card processing fees. The good news is that, with some systems, you don't have to. You can keep the POS your servers already know and change only the processing behind it.

Same screens, same handhelds, same menu setup. The only thing that changes is which company processes the cards. For a restaurant, where card fees are one of the biggest costs after food and labor, that's worth a look.

1. You send me a recent statement and tell me which software you use. Email it to mark@seamlessmerchantservice.com or use the form on the free statement analysis page. Black out your account number if you like.
2. I check what your software connects to and get quotes. I look at which processors your software works with, ask several processing partners to quote on your actual numbers, and put any monthly gateway fee into the math. You get a side-by-side comparison.
3. You decide. If it makes sense, I handle the paperwork with the processing partner and walk your software company's setup form with you. Your team keeps using the same system. If the savings aren't there, I'll tell you to stay put.

• Lavu. Designed to work with several payment gateways. You enter the new gateway's details in the Lavu control panel. Card readers can differ from one gateway to another, so I check that first.
• Aldelo. Aldelo's installed version (EDC) is listed by resellers as working with a number of processors. Aldelo also has a cloud version tied to Aldelo's own payments, so the first thing I do is confirm which edition you have.
• Revel and NCR Aloha. These connect to lists of approved processors, and changes on Aloha usually go through the dealer who installed it. They are more involved, so I confirm with the vendor first and tell you honestly what I find.

I confirm the details with your software company before I promise anything. Software companies update their connection lists, so the list you see here is a starting point, not a guarantee.

Some restaurant systems are built so the POS and the processing can't be separated. If you're on one of those, I'll tell you so right away. We can still review your statement for fees that shouldn't be there and see whether your current processor will lower your price.

Not sure what you use? Ask a manager which brand's name shows on the screen, or tell me the name of your online ordering page and I'll work backward from there.

Do I have to change my software?

No. The idea is to keep your software and change only the processing behind it. Your staff keeps doing what they do today.

Will there be a monthly gateway fee?

It can happen. Some software companies charge a monthly fee when you connect an outside processor, and some processors add their own gateway fee. I count every one of them in the comparison, and if the savings don't cover them, I'll tell you not to switch.

Will my card readers still work?

Sometimes readers are tied to a particular processor. I check this before you decide, so there are no surprises.

What about my online ordering and delivery apps?

Those are separate from your in-store payments. I look at how they're set up, and I'll tell you if a change would affect them.

What if my software only allows its own processing?

Some systems are built to run only on their own payments. If yours is one of them, I'll tell you straight, and we can still look at whether your current processor will lower your price.

Is there a cancellation fee?

There are no cancellation fees on the agreements I set up for you. I'll also check your current agreement for termination fees and renewal dates before you decide anything.

What does this cost me?

Nothing. The statement analysis is free. I'm paid by the processing partner you choose, and only if you choose one. If I can't find savings, I'll send you a $50 gift card for your time.

How do I know whether my software allows it?

Just ask me. Send your statement and tell me the name of your system, and I'll confirm with the software company before I promise anything.

Send me one recent statement. I'll go through it line by line and send back a side-by-side comparison, usually within about two business days. It's free, and if I can't find savings, I'll send you a $50 gift card for your time.

Prefer to talk first? Call or text (860) 371-1795, or book a quick call using the link below.

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Seamless Merchant Service is an independent, no-cost processing broker. I compare quotes from several processing partners and I'm paid by the partner you choose, and only if you choose one.

• Lower Card Fees Without Switching Processors in Stamford
• How to Read Your Merchant Statement
• Is your effective rate too high? A quick checklist
• What Stamford Restaurants Really Pay in Card Fees
• Back to Keep Your Software