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It’s hard to resist a warm breeze on your skin while savoring a perfectly tossed salad or a freshly grilled burger. Over the last few years, outdoor dining has emerged as a true game-changer for American restaurants. According to the National Restaurant Association, nearly 74% of restaurants in the US have embraced some form of outdoor seating in recent years. Diners are craving the fresh air, relaxed ambiance, and unique experiences that only a patio setting can bring.
From casual coffee spots to fine-dining establishments, outdoor seating has steadily become more than just an add-on. It’s now a key revenue driver, especially when indoor capacity can be limited or when guests simply want a more open-air vibe. With this shift, however, come new challenges—particularly when it comes to payment. After all, customers want the convenience of paying right from their seats, without standing in line or searching for the nearest register.
Enter mobile terminals. These devices let your team process transactions tableside, even if that table happens to be a barrel-top repurposed as a mini bar on the sidewalk. They do much more than save time; they elevate the entire dining experience. In a world where diners expect frictionless service, mobile terminals have quickly become essential for restaurant owners aiming to thrive in an al fresco setting.
Unless you’re running a cozy one-table sidewalk café, managing outdoor service goes beyond plunking down a few tables and hoping for the best. Sidewalks, rooftops, cozy courtyards, and parklets can be a blessing—offering extra capacity and attracting diners who love the outdoors—but each layout comes with its own quirks such as limited space, foot traffic, environmental factors, and occasionally spotty Wi-Fi access.
Traditional payment methods often struggle with these variables. When a server has to trek inside to process a credit card, it creates a gap in the diner’s experience. Guests might be left waiting, or staff might have to juggle multiple trips just for payment. Patios are all about relaxed vibes and spontaneity, which clashes with an awkward, drawn-out process at the end of the meal. By using a mobile terminal, however, your staff can accept payment right there on the patio, offer split checks in a snap, and even print or email receipts immediately.
This seamless process not only pleases diners but also improves table turnover. Instead of letting customers wait around for the check and the credit card slip, you finalize payments on the spot—no delays, no confusion. The quick turnaround means your team can seat new guests sooner, boosting both your revenue and reputation.
Mobile terminals might look small, but they deliver a big impact on your restaurant’s efficiency and bottom line. Let’s explore some of the major advantages:
By focusing on speed, safety, and comfort, these devices are a natural solution for patio dining. They fit seamlessly into the dining process, making everything smoother for both staff and customers.
Even if mobile terminals seem like a dream come true, practical hurdles can still arise—particularly in an outdoor setting. Here’s how to tackle them:
Planning for these potential issues in advance ensures that you and your team don’t get blindsided during a busy weekend rush. In a well-structured outdoor dining operation, mobile terminals should feel like an extension of your usual workflow, not an added burden.
Now that we’ve identified potential challenges, let’s explore actionable steps for a smooth, successful rollout of mobile terminals on your patio:
Implementing these steps not only helps integrate mobile terminals into your daily operations but also sets the stage for long-term success. After all, the last thing you want is a piece of technology that confuses employees or frustrates customers. Aim for a smooth transition, and your patio will be buzzing with happy diners who can pay with ease.
Mobile terminals do more than improve payment processing. They can also streamline your entire restaurant operation from start to finish. Picture a typical outdoor service at lunchtime: your servers are hustling to greet new arrivals, explain the specials, and refill drinks. The added time spent running back and forth to swipe cards is a distractor that cuts into both speed and personalized service.
But with a mobile terminal in hand, your staff can be more efficient. They can process a payment in seconds, give suggestions for dessert, and pivot directly to taking an order for the next table. While tiny time savings might seem insignificant, they stack up quickly over the course of a busy shift. A few minutes saved on each table can lead to an extra turn of that table throughout the day.
Additionally, having the ability to store and access order data digitally reduces human error and keeps everything neatly within the same management system. And if your establishment relies on a sophisticated customer relationship management (CRM) platform, you can also integrate data from mobile payments to track dining patterns, top-selling menu items, and even loyalty points. These insights empower you to make data-driven decisions—from customizing your outdoor menu to adjusting staff schedules for peak hours.
The concept is clear: when service is streamlined, guests feel pampered, staff feels more confident, and profits grow. You won’t just be providing a meal; you’ll be delivering an unforgettable dining event tailored to the laid-back vibe of your patio.
Let’s look at an everyday scenario to see the difference. Imagine a family-owned bistro with a modest patio in a suburban neighborhood. Before introducing mobile terminals, the owners had frequent bottlenecks at the cash register—especially on sunny weekends. They noticed guests steering away from dessert and after-meal coffees because the payment process felt like a hassle (lots of standing up, waiting, and confusion over checks).
With the addition of mobile terminals, staff could finalize checks on the spot, while simultaneously encouraging guests to try a dessert special. The conclusion? A spike in overall sales, fewer lines, and happier diners. When the bistro’s managers reviewed their revenue over a three-month period, they were thrilled to find that patio sales had risen by 20%—and a big portion of the increase was attributed to quick, frictionless payments facilitating better upselling opportunities.
This anecdote may sound simple, but it underscores a widespread reality. By letting customers settle their bills without having to pick up and move, restaurants can capture added sales and heightened loyalty. Even small details make a difference. When guests can decide to order an extra glass of wine at the last minute, pay, and leave whenever they’re ready, your restaurant’s patio becomes an attractive destination for both spontaneous visits and special celebrations.
Mobile terminals are just one revolutionary step toward a tech-driven dining culture. Imagine your staff handing guests a device to browse the menu while simultaneously inputting their orders. Or consider the possibilities of integrating promotional campaigns that pop up on the device’s screen, informing diners of limited-time menu items or a discount on their next visit. Payment technology is evolving rapidly, and following the trend of mobile-first solutions means your restaurant stays relevant—and profitable.
All signs point to outdoor dining becoming a permanent fixture in the American culinary landscape. Beyond the pandemic’s impact, there’s a clear shift in consumer preference for open-air experiences. As cities become more flexible with outdoor dining permits and expansions, restaurants can capitalize on this opportunity by fine-tuning every element of street-side or rooftop service—including payment solutions. If you plan to adapt to an evolving market and maintain a competitive edge, implementing advanced payment technology is practically a must.
When contactless experiences are standard everywhere—think rideshares, coworking spaces, even doctor’s offices—diners naturally expect the same level of convenience and innovation when they sit down for a meal. By adopting mobile terminals, you’re not only catering to immediate consumer expectations but also future-proofing your restaurant against the next wave of technology changes.
Ever notice how dessert can elevate a meal? It’s the sweet finale that lingers in your guests’ memories, ensuring they leave on a positive note. Think of payment technology in much the same way. Solutions like sunday take technology a step further by letting customers pay with a simple QR code right at the table, tip at their discretion, and even share a quick online review if they wish. It’s the icing on the cake for a seamless dining experience, especially outdoors. While not the central star of your patio’s ambiance, it’s an enhancement that keeps guests happy and eager to return.
The best technology is the kind that feels invisible. At the end of the day, your guests just want to enjoy their meal, soak up the sun, and leave whenever it suits them—no friction, no fuss. If that describes the kind of experience you aim to provide, consider integrating a solution like sunday into your existing workflow. Just as a signature sauce can transform a dish, a smooth payment flow can transform your entire service model.
When you combine a sun-kissed patio, an enticing menu, and lightning-fast payment options, you create an irresistible trifecta for modern diners. Keeping your guests satisfied now demands more than just a top-notch entrée; it requires efficiency, convenience, and thoughtful service from start to finish. In this new age of al fresco dining, mobile terminals aren’t just an upgrade—they’re the new standard.
Whether you’re a small diner with a couple of sidewalk tables or a bustling gastropub with an expansive rooftop, adopting mobile payment devices can streamline your day-to-day operations and give that extra flourish to your guests’ patio experience. Less waiting, more upselling: that’s the formula that keeps your tables turning and your customers smiling.
As you map out your restaurant’s future, consider how technology can support, rather than replace, the human element. No server wants to be tied to a stationary POS system when there’s a chance to interact with their patrons in a lively outdoor setting. With the right mobile terminal strategy, you can offer the authenticity diners crave, plus all the conveniences they’ve come to expect. After all, it’s that perfect blend of comfort and innovation that makes guests say, “Let’s go back there next week.”
Traditional POS systems are typically stationary devices anchored inside the restaurant. Mobile terminals, on the other hand, are handheld devices that can go anywhere—indoors or outdoors—allowing you to accept payments, add tips, and print receipts without leaving the table.
Most mobile terminals use advanced encryption and secure connections to protect financial data. As long as you have a reliable Wi-Fi or cellular network that’s password-protected, mobile transactions can be just as safe as those conducted on a standard POS.
Be sure to choose a user-friendly terminal. Provide hands-on training sessions and encourage staff to ask questions. Once they understand how to split checks, add tips, and issue receipts via a mobile terminal, the learning curve will flatten quickly.
Not at all. Even a small patio or sidewalk café can gain efficiency and improve customer satisfaction by offering quick tableside payment. Guests appreciate avoiding lines and the extra freedom of finalizing the check on the spot.
Many mobile terminals integrate with popular POS systems, so you don’t necessarily need to replace what’s in place. However, you might need to upgrade or add compatible devices. Consult your current POS provider to see which mobile solutions match your setup.
Regular software updates, occasional cleaning, and battery management are the main tasks. Storing terminals in a cool, dry place after hours helps maintain battery longevity. Depending on your device, you might also need protective covers if your patio is prone to weather extremes.
Solutions like sunday streamline the payment process even further, letting customers pay through QR codes and manage their own tipping process. It’s a simple add-on that fits well with patios by offering a modern, quick payment flow tailored to guests who want convenience.
Given that more diners favor outdoor meals and contactless experiences, mobile terminals have undoubtedly become a long-term part of the restaurant industry. They cater to consumer demand for convenience and speed, and they help restaurant owners keep their patios running smoothly.
