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In the United States, what’s known in French as a “TPE” (Terminal de paiement électronique) is commonly referred to as a card reader, smart handheld, or smart terminal. Regardless of the terminology, these devices are rapidly reshaping restaurant payments. According to the National Restaurant Association, more than half of all U.S. restaurants have already integrated some form of modern payment technology—spurred by demands for contactless options, speed, and improved security.
Now, as we look ahead to 2025, the entire concept of a “terminal” is evolving beyond a static countertop device. Restaurants are adopting new features—like integrated tipping, tableside ordering, and loyalty program tie-ins—that turn card readers from purely functional gadgets into multipurpose, customer-centric solutions. Below, we’ll explore the major trends you can expect in the next few years, and how these changes could transform your guests’ experience.
One of the biggest shifts for card readers—and the restaurant industry at large—is the move to tableside transactions. Rather than asking guests to walk to a cashier or wait for a server to retrieve a clunky credit card machine, staff bring a sleek handheld terminal directly to the table. In many cases, guests can even handle the payment themselves by tapping, dipping, or scanning a QR code on the device.
Why it matters:
By 2025, expect to see more restaurants equipping servers with lightweight, user-friendly devices that let customers split the bill, select a tip, and finalize payment on the spot. This convenience is no longer a luxury but a growing norm.
As technology advances, so too do potential threats. Card readers of the future must offer robust security beyond the traditional chip-and-PIN. We’re already seeing more emphasis on biometric authentication—for instance, requiring a fingerprint or face ID on the device before completing high-value transactions.
Additionally, near-field communication (NFC) for contactless payments has become standard. Most major credit cards and mobile wallets (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) rely on NFC, allowing diners to pay simply by tapping their phone or watch. By 2025:
This blend of convenience and heightened security is key to customer confidence and regulatory compliance—especially in an era when data breaches make national headlines.
Gone are the days when a card reader was just for settling the check. Modern restaurants want all-in-one solutions that integrate seamlessly with online ordering, kitchen display systems, staff scheduling, and loyalty programs. This centralization cuts out repetitive data entry and provides real-time insights into sales, inventory, and labor.
In 2025, a typical smart terminal might handle:
Solutions like sunday already fuse payment with user-friendly design, and we can expect more providers to follow suit. The result: a frictionless, data-rich environment that boosts revenue and refines your guest relationships.
Artificial intelligence has begun filtering into every corner of hospitality, and card readers are no exception. By 2025, we’ll see more card readers equipped with basic AI-driven suggestions:
When done with respect for privacy and opt-in consent, these advanced features can make customers feel recognized and cared for—turning a routine payment into a personalized experience.
Cash or card used to be the norm. Now, consumers juggle a growing list of payment preferences: digital wallets, BNPL (“buy now, pay later”), gift codes, cryptocurrencies, and more. Smart terminals must adapt to this variety to remain relevant:
The overarching trend is maximal flexibility. In a competitive landscape, restaurants can’t afford to turn away potential revenue because they don’t accept a guest’s preferred payment form.
Tipping screens can be a delicate matter: you want to encourage fair gratuities without making diners feel pressured. By 2025, more card readers will adopt a balanced approach, offering clear but gentle tip prompts:
When the tipping interface feels respectful yet encouraging, servers typically see higher gratuities. Combined with integrated analytics, restaurants can even track how tip suggestions affect server earnings or overall staff morale.
Casual cafes and fine-dining spots aren’t the only places adopting card readers. Stadiums, food halls, and outdoor festivals also demand mobile payment solutions. In large venues, staff carry small, rugged handhelds that can handle everything from scanning credit cards to printing receipts on the go.
These multi-functional devices:
By 2025, expect more adoption in large-scale venues, with a focus on durability (devices that endure drops or exposure to the elements) and speed (fast swipes and quick taps).
Gone are the days of batch-processing credit card payments once the restaurant closes. Modern card readers increasingly connect to cloud-based POS systems, offering real-time updates:
Cloud-based tech accelerates business decisions, too. If your lunch rush unexpectedly soars on a Tuesday, you can add staff or restock key items midday. The result is a more agile, data-driven approach to restaurant management.
As digital payments become the norm, so too do attempts at fraud. Restaurants need advanced layers of protection. Beyond chip and PIN, next-gen card readers might deploy machine learning algorithms that analyze transaction patterns:
This automation boosts peace of mind for both owners and guests. By detecting anomalies on the spot, the system can prevent costly chargebacks and maintain guest trust.
The environmental impact of paper checks and receipts hasn’t escaped consumer notice. In 2025, more restaurants will aim for a paperless approach, letting guests receive email or SMS receipts rather than printing them. Card readers can prompt “Receipt via text or email?” after a transaction is approved.
Why diners appreciate this:
From small to large steps, adopting green measures resonates with today’s conscientious diners, boosting your brand image and saving costs on printing in the long run.
A new synergy is emerging between card readers and QR code payments. Some restaurants place a code on the table, letting guests open a digital menu or pay directly on their phone. Meanwhile, servers hold a smart terminal as a backup or for those who prefer a physical device:
This multi-channel approach ensures your entire guest base—tech-savvy or traditional—feels at ease, removing friction from the dining experience.
With sleek card readers taking over many manual processes (like reconciling checks), how does staff adapt? Far from eliminating roles, these devices can redefine responsibilities:
Ultimately, the human element of dining remains crucial—technology just removes routine tasks, so employees can focus on experience-building interactions, which keep customers coming back.
Data is the lifeblood of modern restaurants. With advanced card readers capturing transaction details, owners and managers glean deeper insights into operational efficiency:
Armed with automated reporting, you can refine shifts, promotions, and inventory in near real-time. Smart terminals become your behind-the-scenes data collectors, fueling success with minimal manual effort.
In 2025, card readers won’t just be functional boxes. They’ll come in sleek, ergonomic designs that match the restaurant’s brand or interior vibe. Expect touches such as:
Although design may seem aesthetic, it contributes to user experience—both for staff handling the device all day and diners drawn to polished technology that feels “future-ready.”
For restaurants aiming to stay ahead, smart terminals are more than an operational fix. They’re a gateway to emerging tools like:
Once you embrace a connected approach, adding new features becomes simpler—making your restaurant agile in responding to guest expectations.
Whether you call it a smart terminal, card reader, or smart handheld, the concept of a digital payment hub in restaurants is here to stay. As 2025 approaches, the lines between ordering, payment, and loyalty continue to blur. A single device in your staff’s hands (or on the table) can orchestrate the entire customer experience, from the first appetizer to the final review.
But adopting these solutions wisely requires attention to user-friendliness, robust security, staff training, and the human touch that keeps dining experiences memorable. Platforms like sunday already showcase how streamlined design and practical features can spark real improvements in service speed, tipping, and customer satisfaction.
For restaurant operators, the message is clear: embrace technology, or risk slipping behind in a highly competitive market. By prioritizing easy, secure, and data-driven tools, you’ll meet guests’ rising expectations—and build a brand known for convenience, personalization, and efficiency.
Connected to your POS, we offer the only payment terminal specifically designed for restaurants.
