In modern company catering, efficient and user-friendly payment options are an absolute must. Guests want to pay quickly and easily - after all, break time is valuable!
Companies need to act now and implement modern systems. In many restaurants, cash and refills are ubiquitous, even though they are no longer up to date. There are now a wide variety of payment methods in the mass catering sector.
Open-loop vs. closed-loop systems
The distinction between open-loop and closed-loop systems is a special feature of communal catering. Open-loop systems are payment methods that function in an open network and can be used by various acceptance points. In addition to cash, these include traditional credit and debit cards. Closed-loop systems, on the other hand, are limited to certain points of acceptance - a typical example is employee ID cards used to pay in the company restaurant. The decisive advantage over open-loop systems is the significantly higher level of control. In addition, there are usually lower transaction fees. And since use is limited to the company context, the system is also easier to manage.
Paying at the checkout
In many company restaurants, payment is still traditionally made in cash, by EC card or employee ID card at the till. The checkout stations are located either directly at the counter or separately in the restaurant. This method is widespread and enables direct human contact. However, there can be long queues, especially at peak times. In addition, the personnel costs are higher compared to self-checkouts.
Self checkouts
Self-checkouts are being used more and more frequently. The checkout types range from camera-based systems to predefined mini-checkouts and smartphone-based scanning systems. Guests can place their order independently and pay without cash. The major advantage of self-checkouts is the significantly reduced waiting time.
Payment portals
Payment portals are digital wallets that are topped up in advance (PrePay) or where guests are granted a credit line (PostPay). The credit is topped up and repaid via SEPA or credit card. The decisive advantage is that, on average, a transaction is only made once or twice a month. This drastically reduces transaction costs. The payment portal can also be used in a variety of ways in communal catering: for in-app payments, QR payments at the POS or via Bluetooth at vending machines.
Payment portals can be web-based or available as an app and offer a high degree of flexibility.
In-app payment
The lunch app is the basis for in-app payment. This allows guests to place orders regardless of time and place and pay using the payment methods provided. The booking is made via SEPA direct debit, PayPal, credit card, digital credit, cost center or direct billing via payroll. The payment method offers more convenience and time savings for guests and easy tracking of the order history.
QR Payment
For this payment method, the payment portal is linked to the smartphone: A separate QR code is generated for payment. This is scanned at the checkout or vending machine and deducts the amount from the payment portal balance. QR payment offers fast and contactless payment and replaces physical employee ID cards and revalue machines. However, a smartphone is required.
Conclusion: Modern payment options increase efficiency and user-friendliness
The choice of the right payment method for company catering depends on various factors, including the size of the company, the available budget and the technical requirements of the employees. Closed-loop systems offer more control and lower costs, while open-loop systems offer flexibility and broad acceptance. It is therefore essential to precisely analyze the specific needs of the company and its employees in order to implement the optimal payment methods. Modern payment options such as self-service terminals, in-app payments and QR payments offer numerous advantages that can make company catering more efficient and user-friendly.
