Card Machines for Restaurants: What to Look for and What to Pay in 2026
Restaurants have more complex payment needs than almost any other type of business. Split bills, service charge, table service, EPOS integration, tips, multiple terminals running simultaneously, and the expectation that everything works smoothly when the dining room is full.
A card machine that works for a retail shop or a market stall is not necessarily the right fit for a busy restaurant. This guide covers what actually matters for restaurant payment setups, which terminals suit different types of venue, and what you should expect to pay.
Why Restaurants Have Different Payment Requirements
In most businesses, a payment is a straightforward exchange. The customer pays, the transaction completes. In a restaurant, payment is a multi-step process that happens at the end of a longer customer experience, and how it goes shapes the final impression people leave with.
Restaurants typically need to handle split bills between multiple guests, add an optional service charge, prompt for a tip, and print a receipt at the table. They may also need to connect the card terminal to a till system so the payment amount flows directly from the EPOS without staff having to re-enter it manually.
On top of that, restaurants tend to have higher average transaction values than cafes or retail, which means the financial stakes of a failed payment or a slow terminal at the end of service are higher. A table of six waiting to pay while a card machine reboots is not just a minor inconvenience.
The Key Features to Look for in a Restaurant Card Machine
Table service capability
A restaurant card machine needs to leave the till and travel to the table. Wired countertop terminals are unsuitable for table service. You need a portable wireless terminal with enough battery to last a full service without needing to be put on charge mid-evening.
Split bill functionality
Splitting a bill between multiple guests is one of the most common requests in a restaurant environment and one of the most awkward to handle if your terminal does not support it well. A good terminal handles split payments cleanly at the device level, allowing staff to divide the total and take multiple payments in sequence without needing to return to a till.
Service charge handling
Discretionary service charge is standard in most UK restaurants, but how it appears on a card terminal matters. Customers should be able to see the service charge clearly and have the option to adjust or remove it. A terminal that handles this transparently avoids awkward conversations and reduces chargebacks.
Tip prompts
In addition to service charge, many restaurants offer customers the option to leave an additional tip. The PAX A920 Pro supports tip prompts directly on the terminal screen, allowing customers to add a percentage or fixed amount before completing payment. This is built in as standard with BoonPay terminals, not an add-on.
Built-in receipt printer
Restaurants that do table service almost always need to print receipts at the table rather than at a central till. The PAX A920 Pro has an 80mm thermal printer built in, which means staff can take payment and hand over a printed receipt in one step without returning to a fixed point. For any restaurant where the payment experience matters, this removes unnecessary friction.
EPOS integration
If your restaurant runs a till system, the card terminal should connect to it directly. When EPOS and payment terminal are integrated, the bill total flows automatically from the till to the card machine. Staff do not need to manually enter the amount, which removes a common source of errors and speeds up the payment process. The PAX A920 Pro is compatible with EPOS systems.
4G fallback connectivity
A restaurant Wi-Fi dropping during a Friday evening service is a serious operational problem. The PAX A920 Pro includes 4G LTE connectivity as a fallback. If the broadband goes down, the terminal switches automatically and continues processing payments without interruption. For any restaurant where reliability during peak service is non-negotiable, this is a feature worth having.
Which Card Machine Is Right for Your Restaurant?
BoonPay supplies terminals through NPI. Here is how the range maps to different types of restaurant operation.
Full table service restaurant: PAX A920 Pro
The PAX A920 Pro is the strongest option for any restaurant doing full table service. The 5,250mAh battery handles a full double shift without charging. The built-in 80mm thermal printer produces receipts at the table. It supports EPOS integration, tip prompts, and has 4G fallback connectivity. At 356g it is heavier than the more compact options but everything about the build is suited to a restaurant environment.
Casual dining or fast-casual restaurant: PAX A50
For casual dining restaurants where receipts are less critical and the priority is speed and portability, the PAX A50 is a solid choice. At 161g it is noticeably lighter than the A920 Pro, the 2,500mAh battery handles an evening service comfortably, and it connects via both Wi-Fi and 4G. No built-in printer keeps it compact, though a printer add-on is available if needed.
Running multiple terminals
Many restaurants benefit from running more than one card machine, particularly if you have a bar area alongside the dining room or separate indoor and outdoor sections. BoonPay can set up multiple terminals on a single merchant account. All transactions settle into the same bank account with next-day settlement, so your end-of-day reconciliation stays straightforward regardless of how many terminals you are running.
Next-Day Settlement: Why It Matters for Restaurants
Restaurants typically have high transaction volumes across evenings and weekends, which is also when the most cash flow pressure tends to come from supplier deliveries and staff costs early in the week.
With BoonPay, next-day settlement is included as standard. Payments taken on Saturday evening are in your account on Sunday. There is no waiting until Monday or Tuesday for weekend trading to clear, which makes a meaningful difference when you are managing cash flow around weekly supplier payments.
What Should a Restaurant Pay for Card Processing?
Restaurants tend to have higher average transaction values than cafes or retail, which actually works in your favour on percentage-based processing fees. A £60 table bill generates a larger absolute fee but the percentage cost as a proportion of revenue stays consistent.
At BoonPay, debit card transaction rates start from 0.35% and consumer credit card rates from 0.65%. There is also a monthly terminal rental and PCI compliance fee charged at the standard industry rate. No hidden charges, no rate changes mid-contract.
For a restaurant processing £25,000 a month in card payments at a blended rate of around 0.5%, that is approximately £125 in transaction fees. For the same volume on a flat rate of 1.75%, that figure would be £437. The difference at scale is significant and compounds month on month.
Loyalty: Keeping Diners Coming Back
Restaurants that build repeat customer habits are more resilient than those that rely primarily on new covers. A loyalty programme that rewards returning diners gives them a reason to choose you over a competitor for their next occasion, particularly in areas where dining options are plentiful.
BoonPay terminals support NPI Payment Loyalty, a digital stamp programme that runs directly through the payment terminal. Customers collect stamps at the point of payment with no separate app and no paper card required. You set the reward threshold and value through a cloud-based portal, and the system tracks visit frequency and spend in real time.
For a restaurant targeting local repeat business, having loyalty built into the payment process rather than managed separately is a practical advantage that pays for itself over time.
What to Ask Before Signing with Any Card Machine Provider
Before committing to a card machine provider, these are the questions worth getting clear answers on.
Does the terminal support split bills, service charge, and tip prompts as standard?
Does it have a built-in printer for table receipts?
Does it integrate with your existing EPOS system?
Is next-day settlement included or does it cost extra?
Can you run multiple terminals on the same account?
What is the contract length and what does early exit cost?
Is there UK-based support available during evening and weekend trading hours?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best card machine for a restaurant?
For most full table service restaurants, the PAX A920 Pro is the strongest option. It has a built-in thermal printer, supports EPOS integration, includes 4G fallback connectivity, handles tip prompts, and has a 5,250mAh battery that lasts a full double shift.
Can restaurant card machines handle split bills?
Yes. BoonPay terminals support split bill functionality, allowing staff to divide the total and take multiple payments in sequence at the table without needing to return to a central till.
Do restaurant card machines support service charge?
Yes. Discretionary service charge can be added and displayed transparently on the terminal screen, giving customers a clear view of what they are paying and the option to adjust it.
How quickly do card payments settle for restaurants?
With BoonPay, next-day settlement is included as standard. Payments taken on Saturday evening are in your account on Sunday, which makes a practical difference when managing cash flow around supplier payments.
Can I integrate a card machine with my restaurant EPOS system?
Yes. The PAX A920 Pro is compatible with EPOS systems. When integrated, the bill total flows directly from the till to the card terminal so staff do not need to re-enter the amount manually.
What card machine rates should a restaurant expect to pay?
At BoonPay, debit card rates start from 0.35% and consumer credit card rates from 0.65%. There is also a monthly terminal rental and a standard PCI compliance fee. No hidden charges and no rate changes mid-contract.
Get the Right Setup for Your Restaurant
Whether you are setting up payments for the first time, switching from a provider that is not working for you, or looking to add terminals as your restaurant grows, we will give you a straight answer on the right setup for your venue.
Get in touch at boonpay.uk/contact or upload your current statement at boonpay.uk/review and we will show you exactly what you could save.