Contactless payments have become the default expectation for restaurant customers. Whether it's tapping a card, using Apple Pay, or scanning a QR code, customers want fast, touch-free payment options.

Here's everything you need to know about implementing contactless payments in your restaurant.

Types of Contactless Payments

Contactless payments come in several forms — tap cards, mobile wallets, and QR codes

NFC Tap Payments

Near Field Communication (NFC) enables "tap to pay":

Card-based:

• Contactless credit/debit cards
• Tap the card on the terminal
• No PIN for small transactions

Mobile wallets:

• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Samsung Pay
• Tap phone on terminal

QR Code Payments

Customers scan a QR code with their phone:

At-table payments:

• QR code on table or check
• Customer pays on their device
• No terminal interaction needed

Popular solutions:

• Square
• PayPal QR
• Venmo
• Restaurant-specific apps

Pay-at-Table Devices

Bring the terminal to the customer:

Examples:

• Toast Go
• Square Terminal
• Clover Flex
• Handheld card readers

Hardware Options

Built-In Contactless Terminals

Most modern POS terminals include NFC:

Modern terminals support tap payments, chip cards, and mobile wallets

Mobile Card Readers

Add contactless to any smartphone/tablet:

Handheld POS Devices

All-in-one portable payment:

See our handheld POS guide

Processing Rates

Contactless transaction fees are typically the same as chip/swipe:

Mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay use the same processing rates as cards

Note: Mobile wallet transactions (Apple Pay, Google Pay) process at card-present rates, not the higher online rates.

QR Code Payment Solutions

Square QR Payments

Square allows QR codes for payment:

• Generate QR code for invoice
• Customer scans and pays
• Links to Square checkout

Best for: Square users

Pay-at-Table QR Solutions

Several platforms enable pay-at-table via QR:

• Fuudey: QR ordering + payments
• Presto: Pay-at-table tablets/QR
• me&u: QR ordering and payments
• Sunday: Pay-by-QR focus

See our QR menu guide

Restaurant-Specific QR

Toast, Square, and others offer branded QR payment experiences integrated with their POS.

Benefits of Contactless Payments

Contactless speeds up transactions and improves the customer experience

Speed

Contactless transactions complete in 1-2 seconds vs. 3-5 seconds for chip cards. During rush periods, this adds up.

Customer Preference

Studies show:

• 60%+ of customers prefer contactless
• Higher satisfaction scores
• Perceived as more modern

Hygiene

Post-pandemic, many customers prefer not to touch shared terminals. Contactless reduces contact points.

Reduced Fraud

NFC transactions are more secure:

• Dynamic encryption
• Tokenized data
• Device authentication

Table Turn Improvement

Pay-at-table solutions can reduce payment time by 50%+, improving table turn rates.

Implementation Guide

Step 1: Assess Current Setup

Check your terminals:

• Do they support NFC? (Look for the contactless symbol)
• How old are they? (Pre-2015 likely need replacement)
• Are they compatible with your POS?

Check your POS:

• Does your software support contactless?
• Are updates available?

Step 2: Choose Your Approach

Choose payment hardware that matches your service style and POS system

Option A: Counter service

• NFC-enabled counter terminal
• Quick tap-and-go transactions
• Standard implementation

Option B: Tableside payment

• Handheld devices (Toast Go, Square Terminal)
• Bring payment to the customer
• Reduces end-of-meal friction

Option C: QR-based payment

• QR codes at tables
• Customers pay on their phones
• No terminal interaction needed

Option D: Hybrid

• Multiple options for customer preference
• Counter terminals + tableside + QR

Step 3: Train Staff

Key training points:

• How to initiate contactless transactions
• Troubleshooting common issues
• When to offer alternative payment methods
• Explaining options to customers

Step 4: Communicate to Customers

Let customers know you accept contactless:

• "Tap to pay accepted here" signage
• Mention mobile wallets by name
• Train staff to offer contactless as default

Common Issues and Solutions

"Card not reading"

Causes:

• Card held too long (remove quickly)
• Card positioned incorrectly
• Terminal needs restart

Solution: Brief tap, not prolonged hold. Restart terminal if persistent.

"Transaction declined"

Causes:

• Card limit exceeded for contactless
• Customer's bank restrictions
• Terminal connectivity

Solution: Fall back to chip insert or try swiping.

"Apple Pay not working"

Causes:

• Customer device issue
• Terminal NFC not activated
• Distance too far

Solution: Ensure terminal has NFC enabled, ask customer to hold closer.

Security Considerations

Contactless Is Secure

Despite perception, contactless is more secure than chip cards:

• Dynamic codes per transaction
• Tokenization (real card number never transmitted)
• Distance limitation (must be within 4cm)
• Transaction limits for extra protection

PCI Compliance

Contactless payments follow the same PCI DSS requirements:

• Secure terminal configuration
• Network protection
• Access controls
• Regular updates

Fraud Prevention

Built-in protections:

• Single-transaction tokens
• Device authentication (Face ID, fingerprint)
• Amount limits for PIN-free transactions

Costs Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

Do contactless payments cost more to process?

No. Most processors charge the same rate for contactless as chip/swipe transactions.

Do I need a new terminal for contactless?

If your terminal is more than 5 years old, likely yes. Check for the contactless symbol (four curved lines) on your current terminal.

Are mobile wallets different from tap cards?

Technically yes (phone vs. card), but both use NFC. Processing and rates are identical.

What's the transaction limit for contactless?

Varies by country and bank. In the US, limits have increased significantly (often $100+ or no limit). Higher amounts may require PIN.

Can I accept contactless without a POS system?

Yes, with mobile readers like Square Reader. You'll still need a smartphone/tablet and merchant account.

Conclusion

Contactless payments are now essential for modern restaurant operations

Contactless payments are no longer optional — customers expect them. The good news: implementation is straightforward and often requires only a terminal upgrade or adding a mobile reader.

Our recommendations:

• Counter service: NFC-enabled terminal (included in most modern POS)
• Tableside payments: Handheld devices
• QR payments: Fuudey or POS-native solutions
• Budget option: Mobile reader ($30-60)

For complete restaurant technology guidance, see our tech stack guide and POS comparisons.